Over 20,000 people have already taken part in Rith 2012 to date, a massive 700km relay run around Ireland for the Irish language that is running as part of the Seachtain na Gaeilge 2012 festival, and there are still two more days to go.
Cóilín Ó Cearbhaill, Manager of Rith 2012 says: "It is incredibly uplifting and inspiring to see so many thousands of people coming out on the roads to support the language and Rith 2012 as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge this year."
"So far, over 500 different groups have run a kilometre for Rith 2012 - from schools to local community groups, sports clubs and many many more - and we still have two more days ahead of us before we finish the celebration on a high note on Galway's Inis Mór on St. Patrick's Day!"
Rith 2012 began its 700km journey in the Donegal Gaeltacht on 8 March 2012. A specially designed baton holding a message from President Michael D Higgins has been exchanged from person to person, and from one community to another at the end of each kilometre throughout the marathon relay run. The President's message will be revealed and read aloud at the end of Rith 2012 in Inis Mór, The Aran Islands, Co. Galway, tomorrow (Saturday, 17 March 2012).
Rith is a bi-annual festival established in 2010 with the aim of celebrating the Irish language in the community in an innovative, inclusive, visual and interactive way, while also raising money for community-based Irish-language projects.
While 20,000 people took part in the first Rith organised in Ireland in 2010, it is clear that there will be significantly more people partaking in Rith 2012; over 20,000 people have already supported this year's relay run to date, and there are still two more days of the festival left. Rith 2012 is going from Loughrea to An Cheathrú Rua in the Connemara Gaeltacht today (Friday, 16 March 2012) and on to Inis Mór in Galway Bay tomorrow.
You can still show your support by taking part in the run and by buying a kilometre or two online at www.rith.ie. All profit from Rith is re-invested in local communities to help fund Irish-language developments at a local level.
MORE INFORMATION:
Cóilín Ó Cearbhaill
Manager, Rith 2012
+353 (0)86 8599067 /
Daithí de Faoite
Steering Committee, Rith
+353 (0)87 2249756 /
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Rith videos on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/user/RithGaeilge
• Rith 2012 Lá 1 Gaoth Dobhair - Srath Bán 08/03/2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7KfDlbZXbQ
• Rith 2012 Lá 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3u6hrpPOZc
• Rith 2012 Lá 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OMmPgAplPY
• Rith 2012 Lá 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0jMwxZYynE&context=C4487aadADvjVQa1PpcFPhiWrTOx7XCrVgVGOjkpF6ivnkLgNapyE
Rith is a bi-annual festival established in 2010 with the aim of celebrating the Irish language in the community in an inclusive, visual and interactive way, while also raising money for community-based Irish-language projects. Rith is a registered charity and is a joint venture organised by Conradh na Gaeilge, Glór na nGael, Comhluadar and Seachtain na Gaeilge. Rith 2012 is visiting the following counties between 8 - 17 March 2012: Donegal, Tyrone, Derry, Antrim, Armagh, Monaghan, Meath, Dublin, Kildare, Carlow, Laois, Tipperary, Limerick, Clare and Galway, finishing up on the Aran Islands. Rith is supported by Foras na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta, An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, and Udar.ie. www.rith.ie
