“Is mian liom an deis a thapú chun gach rath a ghuí ar lucht eagraithe Sheachtain na Gaeilge agus tús á chur againn leis an gceiliúradh bliantúil agus tábhachtach seo ar ár dteanga agus ár gcultúr dúchais.
Ó bunaíodh é in 1902, tá an fhéile ag dul i neart agus ag leathnú thar na blianta, agus anois tá sé ar an gceiliúradh is mó ar an teanga Ghaeilge ar domhan.
Cuireann Seachtain na Gaeilge an deis ar fáil dúinn teacht le chéile agus áilleacht agus saibhreas ár dteanga a cheiliúradh, agus an deis do chainteoirí dúchais, d’fhoghlaimeoirí agus dóibh siúd a bhfuil cúpla focal acu, dul i dteagmháil agus ceangal a dhéanamh le níos mó na milliún duine a ghlacann páirt gach bliain sna himeachtaí pobaleagraithe tiomnaithe ar fud na hÉireann agus trasna an domhain.
Is cuid ríthábhachtach dár bhféiniúlacht náisiúnta agus léiriú ar an teacht aniar inár muintir atá inár dteanga ársa, atá lán den stair agus den traidisiún.
Maidir leis an nGaeilge atá mar oidhreacht dúinn uilig, is teanga álainn í atá doimhneacht agus fadsaolach. Ní hamháin gur taisce chultúrtha atá inti ach acmhainn luachmhar don todhchaí. Is gné an-tábhachtach atá inti chun shamhlaíocht agus chruthaíocht ár sinsir a nochtadh, agus í ina foinse inspioráide do na glúnta filí, scríbhneoirí agus ealaíontóirí, agus deis ríthábhachtach chun ár dtraidisiúin agus ár stair a chaomhnú do na glúnta atá le teacht.
I saol an lae inniu tugann an teanga le chéile muid agus soláthraíonn sí ceangal domhain cultúrtha dúinn le nasc a dhéanamh lenár n-oidhreacht agus ár stair, ach, níos tábhachtaí fós, comhluadar na teangan atá ag leathnú i measc na ndaoine óga. Is mar thoradh orthu siúd go léir atá tar éis tacú lena húsáid agus í a spreagadh, cé acu a rinne siad sin sa bhaile, ar scoil, ag an obair nó trí na healaíona cruthaitheacha, ní hamháin go bhfuil sí tagtha slán ach go bhfuil sí faoi rath , agus ag leathnú in úsáid.
Ní hamháin go bhfuil pobal bríomhar ina mílte duine againn atá ag fás go leanúnach agus a labhraíonn an teanga gach lá, ach is ábhar sásaimh dom a aithint go bhfuil os cionn milliún duine ar fud an domhain atá ag foghlaim na Gaeilge go gníomhach ar líne, lena n-áirítear go leor nach náisiúnaigh de chuid na hÉireann iad, chomh maith le saoránaigh Éireannacha nua, a ghlacann chucu féin an deis chun theanga dhúchais na háite a dtugann siad an baile uirthi anois a nochtadh.
Agus ár dteanga iontach á ceiliúradh againn le linn Sheachtain na Gaeilge, cuirimis a dhá oiread fuinnimh inár n-iarrachtaí í a chosaint agus a chur chun cinn, agus tacaímis le hiarrachtaí na ndaoine sin atá ag obair chun cuidiú léi forbairt agus a bheith ábhartha fós inár saol nua-aoiseach. Tá sé ríthábhachtach go mbeidh ár dteanga Ghaeilge, ár litríocht, ár gcultúr agus ár n-oidhreacht ina thaisce as a bhfaighimid bród agus aoibhneas.
Is féidir linn uile páirt a ghlacadh lena chéile chun a chinntiú go leanfar leis an nGaeilge a cheiliúradh mar chuid ríthábhachtach dár bhféiniúlacht náisiúnta i measc na nÉireannach go léir sna glúnta amach romhainn, teanga a bheidh ionchuimsitheach go fírinneach, a mbeidh sé de cheart ag daoine de gach aois teacht uirthi faoi gach cúinse, rud a spreagfaidh a húsáid go forleathan i ngnáthshaol na ndaoine ar fud an oileáin seo.
Guím gach rath oraibh agus tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh sult as Seachtain na Gaeilge.
Beir beannacht.”
Seachtain na Gaeilge Message from President Michael D. Higgins
“May I take the opportunity to wish all the organisers of Seachtain na Gaeilge the very best as we begin this wonderful and important annual celebration of our native language and culture.
Since it was first established in 1902, the festival has grown in strength and scope over the years, and now stands as the largest celebration of Irish language in the world.
Seachtain na Gaeilge provides us with the opportunity to gather together and celebrate the beauty and richness of our language, offering an opportunity for native speakers, learners and those with a cúpla focal to engage and interconnect with over one million people annually who partake in the many community-organised events dedicated all over Ireland and across the globe.
Our ancient language, steeped in history and tradition, is a critical part of our national identity and a testament to the resilience of our people. A language of beauty, depth and longevity, it is not just a cultural treasure, but also a valuable resource for the future. It is key to unlocking the wisdom of our ancestors, being a source of inspiration for generations of poets, writers and artists, and a vital tool for preserving our traditions and history for future generations.
The language brings us together, providing us with a profound cultural connection that enables us to relate to our heritage and history. That it has not only survived, but most important of all, that it is in daily use, continuing to flourish and increase influence today, both in Ireland and abroad, is a testament to all those who have championed and encouraged its use, whether at home, in school, at work or through the creative arts.
Not only do we possess a vibrant and growing community who speak the language in their thousands every day, but it also gives me great pleasure to recognise that over a million people around the world are actively learning Irish online, including many non-Irish nationals and new Irish citizens, embracing the opportunity to uncover the native language of the place that they now call home.
As we celebrate our great language during Seachtain na Gaeilge, let us redouble our efforts to protect and promote it, and support the endeavours of those who are working to enable it to develop and remain relevant in our modern world. It is vital that our Irish language, our literature, our culture and heritage becomes a treasure from which we draw great pride and joy.
Together, we can all play a role to ensure that the Irish language will continue to be celebrated as a vital part of our national identity for all Irish people for generations to come, a truly inclusive language of which people in all circumstances and of all ages are entitled to access, encouraging its ever more prevalent use in the everyday lives of the people across this island.
May I wish you all an enjoyable Seachtain na Gaeilge.
Beir beannacht.”