Gael-Taca
| Formation | 1987 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Pádraig Ó Cuanacháin |
| Purpose | Promotion of the Irish language |
Region | County Cork, Ireland |
Gael-Taca is an Irish language promotional organisation in County Cork, Ireland. The organisation focuses on promoting the Irish language in the business sector and on trying to expand the number of Irish language immersion schools (Gaelscoileanna) in the city and county of Cork.[1][2] Having been in receipt of substantial State funding for many years, regular funding ceased in 2020 and as of 2025, operational State funding has not been restored.
History
The group was established in 1987 by Pádraig Ó Cuanacháin who remained their Marketing Director until he died in 2008.[3]
The organisation had its government funding suspended in 2020 due to claims from the government that it had shortcomings in governance and financial control and a lack of operational capacity to handle funding.[4][5] Following this, the organisation gave up its business premises in Cork and acquired emergency funding from the state to clear its accumulated debts, but due the lack of funding it operated primarily with volunteer staff.[5][6] As of January 2025, funding remains suspended.[6]
Activities
Gael-Taca provide a free consultancy service to businesses that want to incorporate the Irish language in their business, including encouraging property developers to choose Irish language names for their new developments, and they answer general Irish language queries from the public in Cork.[7]
In 2008, following the death of Pádraig Ó Cuanacháin, Gael-Taca claimed to have supplied the name of over 400 residential areas with Irish-language names on the island of Ireland to property developers and builders up until that year.
Gradam Uí Chuanacháin
The annual Gradam Uí Chuanacháin award is named after Ó Cuanacháin and is awarded by Gael-Taca to the business that has, in their view, promoted or used the Irish language the best in Cork in the preceding year.[8][9][10][11] The award started again in 2025 after having been suspended since 2020 during the Covid pandemic.[12]
See also
- Gaillimh le Gaeilge Galway city-based Irish language organisation who work with the business sector.
- Forbairt Feirste Belfast-based Irish language organisation who work with the business sector.
- Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta Gaeltacht Service Towns
- Líonraí Gaeilge Irish language networks
- Gaelscoil Irish language-medium primary school - often used to refer to Irish language-medium secondary schools also
References
- ^ "Gael-Taca". Cork Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ All Irish School Carrigaline (Television production). Reporting by Liam Ó Muirthile. RTÉ News. 22 November 1985. Retrieved 8 May 2018 – via RTÉ Archives.
{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Cois Laoi: Clár i gcuimhne ar Phádraig Ó Cuanacháin [Cois Laoi: A programme in memory of Phádraig Ó Cuanacháin] (Radio broadcast) (in Irish). Raidió na Gaeltachta. 3 April 2008 [28 March 2008]. Retrieved 11 May 2018 – via Listen Notes.
- ^ O'Donovan, Patrick (5 March 2024). "Written Answers Nos. 343-359: Irish Language". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ a b McNally, Tadgh (1 April 2025). "Government pauses funding for Irish language promotion body in Cork over 'shortcomings'". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ a b Ó Liatháin, Concubhar (21 January 2025). "Delays deny 'essential assistance' for Cork city gaelscoileanna". Echo Live. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ^ "A passionate yet pragmatic crusader for the Irish language". Obituaries. The Irish Times. 5 April 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- ^ Ó Coimín, Maitiú (18 November 2016). "Gradaim Uí Chuanacháin le bronnadh i gcathair Chorcaí ar ghnólachtaí Gaelacha anocht". Tuairisc.ie (in Irish). Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ "Promoting the Irish language". InBUSINESS. Chambers Ireland. 26 November 2017. p. 103. Retrieved 6 May 2018 – via Issuu.
- ^ "Nuacht an Deiscirt. Gradam Uí Chuanacháin" [Southern News. Cavanagh Award]. Raidió na Gaeltachta (in Irish). 9 May 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
- ^ Higgins, Michael. D. (7 November 2012). "Nótaí Cainte don Uachtarán Michael D. Higgins ag Caifé Cois Laoi, Gael-Taca Teo, Corcaigh" [Speeches by President Michael D. Higgins at Cois Laoi Café, Gael-Taca Ltd, Cork]. President of Ireland (in Irish). Retrieved 11 May 2018.
- ^ Ó Liatháin, Concubhar (20 March 2025). "Relaunch of gradaim promotes Irish language across Cork businesses". Echo Live. Retrieved 2 June 2025.