NORTH OF IRELAND: COMBINATION OF FACTORS LEAD TO DEMISE OF 'LA NUA'

The production of the only Irish language daily newspaper in the north of Ireland ceased on Friday (19th December 2008), as a consequence of funding cuts by Foras na Gaeilge – the body responsible for the promotion of the Irish language throughout Ireland.

The close of the 'La Nua' newspaper, which came into existence in 1984, has lead some to argue that its demise was a direct result of a lack of support from the political party Sinn Fein, who the newspaper had criticised in the recent past. A former Editor of 'La Nua' even stated that the newspaper had become «a victim of the new dispensation of peace and power-sharing». Concubhar O Liathain, who edited 'La Nua' between 2005 and 2006 said:

«The newspaper gave voice to criticism from many in the Irish language community who were disappointed at the way the Irish language was being treated in the 'new dispensation' between Sinn Fein and the DUP.»

Mr O Liathain's position was supported by Republican Sinn Fein Vice President Des Dalton, who argued that Sinn Féin is unwilling to stand criticism from within the nationalist community. Mr O Liathain said that with four board members on Foras na Gaeilge, Sinn Fein was in a position to oppose the financial cuts, should they have wished.

However, Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams said in a press statement on Friday:

«Since the closure of Lá Nua was announced Sinn Fein has lobbied for the provision of a daily printed and electronic news service in Irish. Sinn Fein will continue to press for such a service as quickly as is practical.»

The League's Convenor, Cathal O Luain - a regular reader of 'La Nua'“commented in an email to the League's General Secretary that the newspaper used to be more widely available in Dublin, but in recent years a number of shops stopped stocking it. Mr O Luain added that with free access to the newspaper on the web, it was inevitable that sales would decline and doubted if sales and subscription figures were all that high. Mr O Luain went on to say:

«The paper itself of course was rather northern oriented both in Irish language news and general news, but it had its good points. I do not think there is any validity in the argument of lack of support from Sinn Fein, it should never be thought that they [Sinn Féin] and the Irish language lobby in the North are totally one and the same.»

Whatever the real reasons are for the closure of 'La Nua', the newspaper will be sadly missed by not only members of the Irish speaking community, but also by all Celtic language campaigners, for whom the existence of a Irish language daily newspaper was an inspiration and a shining example of what could be done if the political will exists. With the growth of the Irish language in the north of Ireland and the creation of a Gaeltacht language speaking area in West Belfast (despite the Northern Ireland Assembly's refusal to implement an Irish Language Act) it could be argued that the closure of 'La Nua' is rather short sighted.

Foras na Gaeilge has announced it is now hoping to publish a weekly newspaper and provide an online Irish language service.

(Article compiled for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League 26/12/08