In a concerted effort to give the Irish language a higher profile on campus, the University of Limerick has appointed a Stiurthoir na Gaeilge. The new staff position for Deirdre Ni Loingsigh (29), a native of Drumshanbo in Co Leitrim, is the first step in the establishment of Aonad na Gaeilge, an Irish-language promotion unit at UL.
The appointment is seen as an important initiative on the part of the university.
Irish-language promotional activities were held in the college for Seachtain na Gaeilge 2001, running from March 12th to 17th. Deirdre explained her primary role is to provide support services for Irish as a medium of communication on campus, as a teaching and research medium and as an academic subject.
"All members of the campus community, whether students or staff, will be encouraged to avail of the opportunities for Irish-language acquisition and usage and to give general support to the aims and activities of the Aonad na Gaeilge", said Ms Ni Loingsigh, who is a graduate of the university.
She taught in Mercy College in Beaumont, Dublin, for four years before taking study leave to follow the MA sa Nua Ghaeilge programme at NUI Galway. As part of her MA research she wrote the biography of Padraig O Siochradha (An Seabhac) and catalogued his life's work.
She worked as a part-time lecturer in Irish in UL and in rural development in the Gaeltacht region of Erris, Co Mayo. She was secretary to Glor Mhaigh Eo and involved in preparations for the Oireachtas 2000 festival in Castlebar.
Aonad na Gaeilge will be located in the department of languages and cultural studies to avail of the facilities and expertise in the UL language centre. The Irish unit will also take responsibility for the delivery of the two academic studies in Irish currently taught in the university - courses for prospective teachers and courses in Irish for international students.
Deirdre revealed that a four-year plan for the Aonad is being prepared and an application for funding will be submitted to the Higher Education Authority. Research will be carried out immediately into the needs of staff and students, and courses will start once this needs analysis has taken place. An Irish-language committee, Coiste na Gaeilge, will be shortly established in the college and Deirdre will act as executive secretary to the committee.
Gaeltacht courses will be included and part of the role of the Stiurthoir will be the sourcing of suitable work experience, teaching practice and placements for students with high competence in Irish.
The university is planning a new building for languages and international education and it will include an Irish-language zone, with offices for faculty and staff and a suite of specialist teaching, study and self-access rooms for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The Irish language unit will try to form partnerships with initiatives in Irish-language promotion in the environs of the university and the surrounding counties of the Shannon region.
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