‘Historic day for Irish language’ as first bilingual sign appears in Portadown

IRISH language activists have welcomed the ‘historic’ installation of a dual language street sign on Portadown’s Garvaghy Road.

The first ever approved by the unionist-controlled Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council - the sign for Woodside Gardens also reads ‘Gairdíní Chois Coille.’

Residents had originally applied for the sign 18 months ago, but had faced opposition from unionist politicians over concerns it would provoke sectarian tensions on the Garvaghy Road.

Posting a picture of the sign with work tools still in the background, the An Dream Dearg campaign group commented: “Lá stairiúil (historic day) in (ABC Council) as the first ever dual language sign in the council’s history goes up 18 months after the initial application was made.

Last month, another street near the Garvaghy Road was also approved for a dual language sign, Churchill Gardens which is named after the British World War II leader Winston Churchill.

A third application for a dual language sign at Woodside Hill has been rejected by the council despite residents voting in favour and officials recommending approval.

The decision is now the subject of a judicial review.

Cuisle Nic Liam, Language Rights Co-ordinator with Conradh na Gaeilge, called the latest development “an important day” for the local Irish language community.

“Dual language signage was officially banned since 1949, and whilst that ban was lifted in 1995, and power given to local councils to facilitate the erection of dual-language street signage, ABC Council refrained from providing any policy to permit residents to apply for signage for a further 25 years,” she said.

“That policy, finally introduced in 2020, has been recently condemned by the Committee of Experts and international oversight bodies for having overwhelmingly restrictive criteria.

“Overcoming all of that are the incredible residents of Woodside Gardens, who have made history in becoming the first street in the council area to succeed in achieving a dual-language street sign.

“Not only did they have to overcome all of those historic and policy hurdles, but faced outrageous political opposition at every possible level. Their dual-language sign will act as a beacon of hope for all other communities organising towards linguistic equality in their own streets and towns.”

The council’s dual language policy requires a petition supported by 33% of residents.

The next stage is a postal survey, requiring at least 66% support from residents on the street, with non-responses counted as an objection.

Ultimately, this is still only a recommendation that councillors can ignore.

For Woodside Gardens,10 residents voted in favour of the new sign while the owner of a commercial premises was neutral.

Attending a council meeting on the issue last year, the DUP MP Carla Lockhart called the plans for dual language signs territorial and “a concerted effort to cleanse this area of Protestantism.”

Also welcoming the sign was Sinn Féin councillor Paul Duffy, who called it “an historic and hugely positive milestone.”

“The recognition of the Irish language by ABC Council is long overdue, and comes at a time when Gaeilge continues to flourish and go from strength to strength.

“I want to commend local residents and Irish language activists for making this progressive step forward.”

The council has been contacted for a response.