Conradh na Gaeilge has elected a new President at the annual CnaG Ard-Fheis in Galway today. Paula Melvin follows in the footsteps of Dr Niall Comer, who has served as President of Conradh na Gaeilge since 2017. Paula becomes the first female President of Conradh of Conradh na Gaeilge since Áine de Baróid held the office between 1994-95.
Paula Melvin, Newly elected President of Conradh na Gaeilge, said:
“It is the honour of a lifetime to have been elected President of Conradh na Gaeilge this morning. Amongst my main goals for the coming year I will be focusing on the National Housing Planning Policy for the Gaeltacht, to support and develop the campaign which aims to ensure Gaeltacht communities can continue to live in their own areas through their own language.
As well as that, I look forward to continuing with the longstanding campaign for language rights in the north, as well as building on the fantastic achievements during President Dr Niall Comer’s term regarding the newly amended Official Languages Act in the south. It is vital that we ensure all deadlines in implementing the amendments are fulfilled. Additionally, we will be working towards regular use of Irish in the EU, following full status being granted to Irish in the EU recently. We have plenty to do, and I am up for the challenge.
During my tenure I plan on visiting as many local branches of Conradh na Gaeilge as possible. Local communities and branches have had an incredibly tough time throughout the pandemic. These branches are the heart and soul of the organisation and need continuous support.
Finally, I wish to thank outgoing President Dr Niall Comer and acknowledge the incredible work he has accomplished since taking up office as President in 2017. Go raibh míle maith agat.”
Also this morning at the Conradh na Gaeilge Ard-Fheis delegates and craobhacha discussed and debated motions. In total over 30 motions were passed, relating to Irish language and Gaeltacht policies, and organisational policies. The results of each motion can be accessed here:
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/cnag/status/1497498998411722752?s%3D21&source=gmail&ust=1646126713552000&usg=AOvVaw1dZm03bUX9kHm8HViST40E">https://twitter.com/cnag/
Tonight, Saturday 26 February, the highlight of this year’s Ard-Fheis will see President of Ireland, Micheál D. Ó hUiginn, receive the Conradh na Gaeilge’s President’s Award at a special Gala Dinner. President Ó hUiginn will address delegates and special guests regarding the Irish language.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Julian de Spáinn, Ardrúnaí
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EDITOR’S NOTE:
A full list of all previous Presidents of Conradh na Gaeilge can be accessed here:
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://cnag.ie/en/info/conradh-na-gaeilge/who-is-president-of-conradh-na-gaeilge.html&source=gmail&ust=1646126713552000&usg=AOvVaw3_tRdthbtqoKXTMTv5naFu">https://cnag.ie/en/info/
Paula Melvin was elected Tánaiste of Conradh na Gaeilge by the Coiste Gnó in 2017. She has served as a trustee of the organisation since 2014. Paula is also the Chairperson of the Conradh’s Development Subcommittee. At the local level, she co-founded the Pobal Gaeilge 15 branch in Dublin 15. Pobal Gaeilge 15 played an integral role in the establishment of Coláiste na Tulchann and have organised some of the largest events worldwide for Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia.
Paula is a member of the Ógras steering board, the Conradh’s diversity committee, an Siopa Leabhar’s board and Conradh na Gaeilge’s human resources and finance committee. She also attends meetings of the Meitheal Gaeltachta. Paula was the deputy secretary of na Gaeil Óga GAA club and was a presenter with Raidió na Life. Paula sat on Fingal County Council’s Irish language committee. She is a founding member of the #TrasnaNadTonnta twitter campaign. Paula was elected Irish Language Officer on Saint Patrick’s College, Dublin City University’s Students’ Union. She was also elected chairperson of the college’s Irish Language Society. Paula is employed as Programme Manager with the Fulbright Commission in Ireland. Paula was elected President of Conradh na Gaeilge Saturday 25th February 2022 at the organisation's annual Ard-Fheis held in Galway.
Conradh na Gaeilge is the democratic forum for the Irish-speaking community. The Conradh has over 180 branches and numerous individual members registered around the world, members that work hard to promote the use of Irish in their own areas. Conradh na Gaeilge’s main aim is to promote the use of Irish as the standard language in Ireland. Conradh na Gaeilge was established by Douglas Hyde, Eoin Mac Néill, and their colleagues on the 31st of July 1893. The organisation runs Irish-language courses; advocates for the language rights of Irish-speakers; raises awareness about the language; hosts the international Irish-language festivalhttps://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.snag.ie/&source=gmail&ust=1646126713552000&usg=AOvVaw30HUxjO6aeE7Nm3WSx4-oD"> Seachtain na Gaeilge; manages the Irish-language information hubhttps://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.peig.ie/&source=gmail&ust=1646126713552000&usg=AOvVaw2mhQVaB1WYyJBXt5XvMqSG"> PEIG.ie and the Irish-language bookshophttps://www.google.com/url?q=http://cnag.ie/siopa&source=gmail&ust=1646126713552000&usg=AOvVaw2VBYKHTA8etcJBhIfWj5i2"> An Siopa Leabhar; supportshttps://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.rrr.ie/&source=gmail&ust=1646126713552000&usg=AOvVaw1dGMVO6YqPSLKGY5iI5tjU"> Raidió Rí-Rá; and much more. More information:https://www.google.com/url?q=http://cnag.ie/&source=gmail&ust=1646126713553000&usg=AOvVaw1GTjozfpT3FLwx16f5BXjw"> www.cnag.ie
