Republican News · Thursday 13 February 2003

Adams announces details of Slógadh Shinn Féin

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP this week announced details of the party's Irish language conference, Slógadh Shinn Féin‚ which will take place in South Armagh between 21 and 23 February.

Speaking at the launch, he said that Sinn Féin has made the question of the Irish language a central concern in the talks currently ongoing with the British government and said the party is committed to putting the language back in the mouths of the people.

"Behind the arguments about funding, rights, resources and equality for the Irish language and the Irish speaking community, there is a fundamental fact that we must never lose sight of," he said. "The Irish language belongs to the people of Ireland, all the people of Ireland, irrespective of class or creed or background, and what must be done is to give the language back to the people of Ireland.

"Our priority is to give the Irish people the opportunity to take back their own language, to put the language back in the mouths of the people."

The annual Slógadh gives an opportunity to Sinn Féin activists and Irish language enthusiasts from outside the party to debate in Irish issues pertaining to the Irish language as well as general political issues.

Gerry Adams will officially open the Slógadh and among the guest speakers this year will be Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, director of the popular TG4 soap series Ros na Rún, and Máire Ní Anracháin, senior lecturer in New Irish at Maynooth University.

Delegates and guests will discuss and debate various topics, including the main theme, "Ireland in 2016, without a border, without a language?" There will also be discussions on the issue of policing, with speakers from Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the media.

To allow for cooling off between the periods of hot debate, a number of outdoor activities including sporting events and archeological explorations have been arranged for the weekend.

The Slógadh is open to all those who wish to attend.

Further details available from Sinn Féin Ard Oifig at roinncultuirshinnfein@hotmail.com or by contacting Roinn an Chultúir at (01) 872 6932/872 6100