Language rights

Would you like to learn more about language rights?
This handbook seeks to inform the Irish language community about language rights and to facilitate a broader understanding of what can be expected from the state in relation to the provision of their language rights.
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Info

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Language

A number of provisions have been made since 1998 for the Irish language and the Irish language community in various political agreements. We are still waiting for the implementation of those commitments.

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Community

We have a vibrant, vocal and empowered community who have campaigned steadfastly for rights, recognition and respect for Irish. This display of grassroots activism has underpinned the success of our campaign.

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Rights

Language rights are human rights. We will no longer accept the denial of our rights. Gone are the days of treating us as second-class citizens. Now is the time to honour the commitments in relation to the Irish language. Acht Anois!

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Campaigning

We promote the demands of the Irish language community. We challenge inequality. We will continue to campaign for the full implementation of each commitment in regard to the Irish language. This is only the beginning.

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Solidarity

We stand with other groups who are marginalized and oppressed. We believe in rights for all, and recognise the importance and the need for fostering a rights-based society.

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Inclusivity

We are An Dream Dearg. You are An Dream Dearg. Anyone who believes in rights, recognition and respect for all is An Dream Dearg. Take part!

Campaigns

Street signs

#Street signs

Local council policies currently dictate the rules on erecting bilingual street signs in the north. Councils should take pro-active measures to include Irish on street signs when there is demonstrable demand from local residents within that street.

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SeasAnFód

#SeasAnFód

An Dream Dearg commits to fight for the full implementation of the language legislation that was promised under the New Decade New Approach Agreement in January 2020, for local delivery by September, and failing that, for the British Government to honour their latest public commitment.

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Youth

#Youth

The participation of young people in our campaign is not surprising; they have spent most of their lives protesting and fighting for basic amenities and rights that are afforded to their English-speaking peers, particularly in the Irish-medium youth sector.

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Education

#Education

The continued growth of the Irish medium education is a source of great pride for us. We have frequently stood with Gaelscoils throughout the north as they have consistently challenged the failure of the Department of Education to uphold their statutory duty to ‘encourage and facilitate’ Irish medium education.

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Signage

#Signage

Irish is an important component of our heritage here and so signage, particularly in our shared spaces, should include Irish. It provides a neutral opportunity for people to engage with the language. Our right to see and read Irish does not infringe upon anyone else’s rights.

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AchtAnois

#AchtAnois

An Dream Dearg’s #AchtAnois campaign is rooted in the ideals of language rights as human rights; it calls for a comprehensive, standalone, rights-based Irish Language Act, something which was promised in the St. Andrew’s Agreement of 2006.

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Tools

Sráideanna

Make a request for Irish-language signage for your street.

Find your street now

Bilingual Béal Feirste!

Make a submission to Belfast City Council's consultation on their draft Irish-language policy.

Do it now

Latest news

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