Appointments made to the North/South Language Body Board

A meeting of the North South Ministerial Council Transport sector was held in the Offices of the Council's Joint Secretariat, Armagh and virtually today, Wednesday 5th May 2021.

The Council approved the appointment of six new Board Members to the language Body Board, nominated by the Irish Government. Regina Uí Chollatáin was appointed Chairperson and Freda Nic Giolla Chatháin a member, of the Board of Foras na Gaeilge, for a four year term.

Freddie Kettyle was appointed Vice-Chair of the Ulster-Scots Agency Board, along with members Allen McAdam, Lavinia Tilson and Karen Devenney. All appointments are for a four year term.

Speaking about these appointments today, Minister Catherine Martin and Minister of State Jack Chambers said that they were now pleased that the Board of the Language Body was fully represented (Board of Foras na Gaeilge: 16; Board of the Ulster-Scots Agency 8) and that they look forward to working with the new Board in promoting the work of the North South Language Body.

ENDS

Notes to editors

BOARD MEMBER BIOGRAPHY:

Foras na Gaeilge

Regina Uí Chollatáin

Regina Uí Chollatáin is a native of Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. She is Chair and Professor of Modern Irish at University College Dublin and Head of the School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore, UCD (2015-21).

Her main areas of research and publishing are revival, Irish language journalism and print culture. Her awards include fellowships of Nicholas O’Donnell (Melbourne, 2019) and ICUF Senior Professor (2011-12). She is a member of the MoLI Academic Advisory Board and the Irish Folklore Council. She was a member of the original Board of TG4 (2007-12) and Chair of the Irish Newspaper and Periodical History Forum (2016-19). She is the President of the Global Irish Diaspora Congress which she founded in 2017.

Freda Nic Giolla Chatháin

Freda has worked as an Irish Language Development Officer for Roscommon County Council, worked in An Taibhdhearc, Amharclann Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, as an Administrator, Manager and Artistic Director, and was Chief Executive of Gnó Mhaigh Eo. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Freda worked as an Irish Language Communications Officer for Galway 2020, the European Capital of Culture, and has been working as a freelance translator ever since. In addition to her professional work, Freda has been a member of various festival committees over the years, including the Westport Arts Festival and the Achill Harp Festival.

She holds a BA in Modern Irish and Music from University College Cork, a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Administration from the National University of Ireland, Galway and an MA in Translation Studies from Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway. She trained with the European Commission in Brussels and has also achieved the Seal of Accreditation for Translators.

Ulster-Scots Agency Board

Freddie Kettyle

Freddie Kettyle is a farmer and businessman from Virginia, County Cavan. He served as Vice Chairman of the Ulster-Scots Agency previously from 2015 to 2019. He is a former member of Cavan County Council and has previously served on the Management Board of Virginia College and the Cavan VEC.

Allen McAdam

Allen is a UCD Agricultural Science graduate, socio and economic development consultant, entrepreneur and part-time farmer from County Monaghan. He is recognised as an experienced advisor in the field of rural and local development in the border region and has previously held management positions with Lakeland Dairies, Terralift Fertilisers, DCI Energy and Cavan Monaghan LEADER. He is an active member of the Ulster Scots Community in County Monaghan.

Allen previously served on the board of the Ulster Scots Agency for the period 2017-2020 and numerous other national and regional organisations.

Lavinia Tilson

Originally from Granard, Co. Longford, Lavinia has lived in Co. Cavan for the last twenty-seven years. She graduated from Trinity College in 1992 with a B. Ed. Degree. Ms. Tilson commenced her teaching profession in Raphoe, Co. Donegal and is currently a primary teaching principal in Ballyconnell Co. Cavan, a position she has held for over twenty years.

She has been actively involved in many projects/committees over the years ranging from Drama Production, Youth Theatres, Irish Wheelchair Association, Diocesan Board of Education, Girl Guides, Youth Development Services, Tourette Alliance and Léargas Cross Border Project.

Karyn Devenney

Karyn grew up in the Lagan Valley in East Donegal, where she experienced the traditions and the language of the Ulster Scots community on a daily basis. Her father’s passion for the Ulster-Scots community has inspired her to develop a deeper appreciation of her background.

Her first teaching position was in St Louise’s College on the Falls Road, Belfast, as a Drama and English teacher. This teaching opportunity influenced and shaped her greatly in her profession. She spent 2 years in The Rathgael Centre in Bangor, Co Down working with Young Offenders and Children in Care.

At present, she is the deputy principal of a Primary School in Manorcunningham, Co Donegal. She is currently working as one of the Special Education Teachers (SET) in the school, a post that is shared with the Gaelscoil in Letterkenny.