25.06.2014
Cumann’s Work to Promote Irish Language in the Church Given Presidential Seal of Approval
Members and friends of Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise were hosted by President Michael D Higgins at a reception in Áras an Uachtaráin this morning (June 24) to mark the organisation’s centenary.
The Irish Guild of the Church of Ireland has been promoting the Irish language in the Church since 1914 and they received high praise from the President for their efforts in keeping the language alive.
The delegation was led by chairperson, Bishop Michael Burrows and treasurer, Dáithí Ó Maolchoille. The President greeted each person individually before giving a warm speech.
President Higgins said that the Cumann’s centenary was a milestone and an impressive tribute to their efforts in the promotion of the Irish language in the Church of Ireland.
He also referred to Ireland’s first President, Douglas Hyde. “We should never underestimate the enormous contribution that Dubhghlas de hÍde and others of his faith made to the Irish language and literature,” he said.
He went on to say that at the end of the 19th Century the language was very weak and was spoken by less than 12 percent of children under 10, having only a few short years earlier been spoken by four million people. But he said there were people who saw the value of the language. “Organisations like Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise have done invaluable work in keeping our vernacular alive,” the President stated.
Bishop Burrows said that Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise was not just aimed at people who are fluent in Irish but was for all who felt it was part of the spirituality of the land.
“This is not a society with any sort of political agenda… It has been a joy to see it flourish in recent times, not least in Northern Ireland. And with the various centenaries being marked which are centred around conflicts, Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise’s centres around language. It has the potential to bring healing,” the Bishop stated.
He praised the President for being an ambassador for the language and added that worship was enriched by the use of the Irish language.
The visit concluded with a tour of the State Rooms of Áras on Uachtaráin given by the President’s Aides de Camp, Commandant Louise Conlon.
Photo captions:
Top – President Michael D Higgins with members and friends of Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise.
Bottom – The President greets Bishop Michael Burrows and Dáithí Ó Maolchoille.