More than 1,000 Queen's University students back calls for Irish language signs on campus

More than 1,000 students at Queen’s University have backed calls for Irish language signs to be re-installed on campus.

On Wednesday, a group of protestors gathered at the university, insisting the language is for everyone.

It comes almost 30 years since signs in the language were permanently removed, having been installed in 1987.

Eoghan Ó Conghaile said they had been removed due a report from the Equality Commission which said they “affected what would have been a neutral working environment”.

He added that the body has since changed their mind and they no longer “believe that the Irish language will affect the neutrality of a working place”.

However, posting on social media, the Queen’s Young Unionists Committee wrote: "The cost of the such signage is nothing which we would want to see the university try to cover, especially when the university is already facing cutbacks in some areas.

"If there is money to be spent, it should go to services which support students, such as expanding the accessibility of free period products across all schools.

“There are more pressing issues than cultural passion projects, such as the recent rollout of free period products across campuses.”

Officials from Queen’s said they will meet with Cumann Gaelach - the Irish language society at the university - to discuss the issue.

In a statement, they said they hope to build on progress which includes the creation of Irish language accommodation and the appointment of an Irish language support officer.