Seachtain na Gaeilge is delighted to reveal Eoghan Mac Diarmada, presenter on RTÉ’s The Voice and London-based XFM’s drivetime show, as ambassador for Seachtain na Gaeilge 2012. Seachtain na Gaeilge is an annual festival which encourages hundreds of thousands of people to use Irish at home and abroad and it will be taking place from 5 – 17 March this year. With events from conversation afternoons to street céilís; blind date to surfing classes as Gaeilge; it gives the opportunity to everyone to have a go at their cúpla focal whether you are a native speaker or have just recently taken up the language.

Eoghan was in Merrion Square this morning to launch Rith 2012, one of the main events being run as part of this year’s Seachtain na Gaeilge, alongside TG4’s Sinéad Ní Loideáin and Dublin school students. Rith 2012 is a 700km relay run, starting in Gweedore, Co. Donegal on 8 March and finishing on Inis Mór, Aran Islands, on Saint Patrick’s Day. Thousands of people will carry the specially-made baton and the message of support for the Irish language hidden inside for the 10 days of the festival. The message will be read out to all when the end has been reached on 17 March. 20,000 people took part in Rith 2010 and its organisers are aiming for this year to be even bigger and to raise money in support of the Irish language in communities throughout Ireland.
“We’re very excited about Rith 2012,” said Cóilín Ó Cearbhaill, Festival Manager. “After the huge success of Rith 2010, we’ve decided to build on it and make it bigger and better this year. Rith brings together hundreds of communities from across the Island who want to show their support and goodwill for the Irish language during Seachtain na Gaeilge. We’re asking people to register now and come out and take part. Details are on www.rith.ie.”

Seachtain na Gaeilge’s acting manager, Brenda Ní Ghairbhí, said: “We’re very happy to have Rith 2012 as one of the main events of Seachtain na Gaeilge this year as it’s an exciting and original way to promote Irish in the community. As well as Rith, hundreds of Irish language events will be run by local groups around the country for Seachtain na Gaeilge and you can keep an eye on www.snag.ie, where the list of the festival’s events keeps growing from day to day.”
END
For more information, interview contacts or images, contact:
Brenda Ní Ghairbhí – Acting Manager, Seachtain na Gaeilge 2012
T: 01-4757401, 086-3649776
E: brenda@snag.ie

Cóilín Ó Cearbhaill – Manager, Rith 2012
T: 01-4757401, 086-8599067
E: coilin@rith.ie