Press release
Minister of State Jack Chambers visiting Belfast
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers, is visiting Irish language organisations, community and cultural groups and sports bodies as part of a two day visit to Belfast.
Minister Chambers met with representatives from various parts of the city's Irish language community at Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich last night.
Speaking at the Cultúrlann last night Minister Chambers said:
“I understand that the Cultúrlann is involved in cross-border projects and collaborations, especially in the field of the arts - musicians, playwrights, writers and publishers from all over this Island.
“It's great to see the mix of Groups that work here - the drama group Aisling Ghéar; the bookshop An Ceathrú Póilí, the publisher An tSnáthaid Mhór, Gaelchúrsaí promoting education, the magazine Nós, and Taca supporting learners, and perhaps the most important facility - the restaurant, An Bhialann.”
This morning the Minister first visited the Ulster-Scots Agency headquarters in Gordon Street in the city before spending some time with An Droichead community in the south of the city.
During his visit, Minister Chambers discussed the important community co-operation that is ongoing on an all-island basis under the auspices of the Good Friday Agreement through the North South Language Body, the New Decade, New Approach agreement, and the government's Shared Island initiative. He highlighted the need for this important work to continue into the future:
“It’s great to be here among the community in Belfast. North-South co - operation is important to me, especially as Minister of State with responsibility for the North-South Language Body.
“I met this morning with the staff and board members of the Ulster-Scots Agency at their offices on Gordon Street. The Ulster-Scots Agency has an office in Raphoe in Donegal as well as a strong community connection in Counties Monaghan and Cavan.
“It’s important that we continue to provide support to the Ulster-Scots community in these areas and throughout the province.
“It was a real pleasure to meet last night with so many wonderful advocates and activists from the Irish language community in Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich which is a sanctuary for Irish arts and culture and is supporting a very vibrant Irish language community in Belfast.”