Partnership aimed at strengthening Irish language

South East Technological University (SETU) and Coláiste na Rinne have formed a new partnership to strengthen and enhance Irish language education, culture, and heritage in the south east region.

The partnership was formally established on Friday, September 27, at Coláiste na Rinne, in Gaeltacht na nDéise, County Waterford through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). 

The partnership is also aimed at supporting regional development, with a particular emphasis on the development of the Gaeltacht.

Speaking at the event, MEP Cynthia Ni Mhurchu, said: “Today, SETU and Coláiste na Rinne are both demonstrating their support for the Irish language and for Gaeltacht communities in the South East, and I thank them for that. I have little doubt that today’s partnership will deliver impactful projects of mutual benefit to SETU, to the Coláiste and to Gaeltacht na nDeise."

"It is vital that we prioritise the preservation of our culture, traditions and heritage as well as the language that binds them all together," she said.

Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, also expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership and said: "The MoU creates new opportunities for students, teachers, and the wider community, both locally and internationally, to engage with and learn the Irish language, deepen their understanding of Irish heritage, and in doing so help develop the region economically and culturally."

“This is a unique partnership between Ireland’s youngest university and one of Ireland’s oldest colleges," she said.

"This partnership we see as contributing in a real and meaningful way to progressing towards the region being known as a learning region where myriad opportunities are available to all our communities to develop through education.”

Meanwhile, Críostóir Ó Faoláin, Director of Coláiste na Rinne, added: “We are proud to say that Coláiste na Rinne has been at the centre of Irish-language education for over a century and we continue to contribute significantly to the life of our community here in Gaeltacht na nDéise. This new partnership will further strengthen our role and enhance our ability to offer new and exciting educational programmes to people who, in our experience, are hungry to learn more of our language and deepen their appreciation of our culture and heritage."

“We are very pleased to work with an ambitious and dynamic university like SETU in support of the cultural, social and economic development of the Gaeltacht and the wider South East region," he said.

"This collaboration will strengthen formal ties between SETU and Coláiste na Rinne in areas such as teaching, lifelong learning, programme development and accreditation, research, and other initiatives that will support and promote the Irish language and the local community in Gaeltacht na nDéise," he added, before pointing out that joint archival projects will help preserve and strengthen the cultural heritage of the area while also seeking to expand the attractiveness of the Gaeltacht through outreach activity, including for international staff and students.