Development Initiatives
Irish Language
Through its Irish language co-ordinator, Lisa Ní Choisdealbha, the Irish Langauge Advisory Committee continues to promote and develop the Irish langauge within the independent broadcasting industry. The following is a brief overview of some of the activities carried out by the our Irish language co-ordinator over the course of the year.
Programming
Chart Show
“Top 40 Oifigiúil na hÉireann” the Irish language Chart Show was available for broadcast from March 12th 2004. 12 commercial radio stations began broadcasting the programme which also won a PPI radio award for Specialist Music Programming.
Giotaí
As a result of recommendations from various radio stations to produce short light-hearted inserts in Irish, the concept of Giotaí was born. Produced and distributed by Digital Audio Productions and scripted and presented by Máiréad Ní Ghormáin, Giotaí are one-minute pieces focusing on various topical subjects.
Irish News Headlines
In conjunction with INN, work began on providing Irish news headlines for commercial stations. At the end of 2004 it was anticipated that the news headlines would be available for broadcast early in 2005.
Réalt DJ
The first Réalt DJ national winner was announced in March 2004. Catríona Ní Chatháin, representing Clare FM was chosen from among the six finalists from participating local radio stations.
Following the success of the initiative; which looks for new young talented DJ’s through Irish; a second Réalt competition was launched in Autumn 2004. The competition is specifically aimed at secondary school students and this second competition involved six radio stations, Beat FM, Red FM, Clare FM, Highland Radio, Midlands 103 and Spin 1038. The national winner will be chosen in March 2005.
Training Commercial Stations
Training Weekend
In order to better serve the needs of the Irish language presenters, three meetings were organised in early 2004 for presenters from Munster, Leinster and Connacht/Ulster stations. The aim of the meetings was to formulate a network of presenters and provide suitable training and development opportunities for them. As a direct result of the meetings and input from the presenters, a training weekend was held in Sligo in September. Training was provided by Sinéad Crowley, RTÉ and by Ann Marie Kelly from Today FM.
Éist
David Hurley of Limerick’s Live 95FM, has been invited by Éist to sit on its coordinating committee. David will ensure that Irish language presenters are represented at Éist training events and also be involved in the organisation of specific training events for Irish language presenters. The support and assistance of Éist continues to contribute significantly to the success and achievements of training initiatives in the area of Irish language.
Community Stations
Training Weekend
A training weekend was also held for those involved in Irish language programming on Community Radio strations in Limerick in September 2004.
Training Féile
An Irish language workshop was held at the Community Radio Training Féile hosted by Near FM in November 2004.
Craol’s Irish Language Sub-Committee
An Irish language subcommittee was nominated by CRAOL to assist and support the work of the Irish Language Coordinator in recognition that greater involvement with Irish language activities would benefit the community radio sector as a whole.
Seachtain na Gaeilge
Radio workshops for primary and secondary schools were organised throughout the country during Seachtain na Gaeilge. 12 radio stations, both community and commercial hosted workshops, which aimed to teach pupils how to prepare and record a radio programme in Irish. A competition, where students had to make their own radio programme in Irish followed the workshops. the competition proved very popular among the schools and the winners were as follows:
Under 10 years: Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh, Rath Cairn
11 – 14 years Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh, Rath Cairn
Over 15 years Marist College, Athlone
Over 15 years Mercy Secondary School, Mount Hawk, Tralee.
Survey on Listenership to Irish Language Radio
In March 2004 work began on a nationwide survey to investigate perceptions and attitudes towards Irish language radio programming in Ireland. The survey, which was co-sponsored by the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Foras na Gaeilge, was conducted by MORI Ireland. The results of the survey will give an insight into the needs and requirements of the Irish public with regard to radio broadcasting through Irish. The report of the survey results will be launched in January 2005.
Scéim na Scoile
Work has begun on a project to enable radio stations and schools to work together to promote the use of the Irish language on radio stations. With the assistance of Gaelscoileanna, the organisation assisting the establishment of Irish medium schools, and the NCTE, who promote education through the use of technology, schools were invited to take part in the project. The Irish Language Advisory Committee will provide minidisk recorders for the schools, while the radio stations will provide training and will also broadcast the Irish programmes made by the schools.
Glór na nGael
The BCI continued to sponsor two awards in the national Glór na nGael competition. These are for:
- The commercial radio station that makes the best contribution to the development of the Irish language, ensuring its use is innovative in its approach, entertaining and sustainable.
- The community radio station that makes the best contribution to Irish language development, through the involvement of local Irish language organisations and members of the community with an interest in the language.
The winners of the 2004 Glór na nGael/BCI Radio award were Shannonside/Northern Sound and Raidió Campus Chorcaí, UCC.