Meath musicians emphasise the importance of Gaeltacht business supports in new Údarás na Gaeltachta campaign
Native Irish singing sisters An Chéad Ghlúin Eile (The Next Generation) from Ráth Charn, County Meath are featuring in a campaign launched this week by Údarás na Gaeltachta. The campaign ‘An Chéad Chéim Eile’ (The Next Step), showcases how the organisation is building upon decades of development work to chart an innovative future for Ireland’s Gaeltacht regions. Through seven compelling stories one from each of the Gaeltachts in Ireland, the campaign illustrates how traditional heritage and modern enterprise are creating sustainable, vibrant Irish-speaking communities.
From their home in Ráth Charn, County Meath, sisters Máire and Etain Ní Churraoin are revolutionizing how Irish language and culture reach global audiences. As TikTok influencers, they’re proving that Gaeltacht traditions aren’t just surviving but thriving in the digital age. Their story exemplifies how young voices from the Gaeltacht are shaping the future while staying true to their roots. With Údarás na Gaeltachta’s support of initiatives like the gteic out of office working space and the local community hall in Rath Charn, giving these young entrepreneurs a space to be creative and lead a new generation of Irish language content creators.
Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta said:
“This campaign represents Údarás na Gaeltachta’s commitment to building upon its foundational work, taking the next steps together with communities, entrepreneurs, and innovators to ensure the Gaeltacht regions continue to thrive as centres of both cultural preservation and economic innovation. These stories reflect not just individual successes, but the organisation’s broader vision of supporting initiatives that secure a vibrant future for Ireland’s Gaeltacht communities while honouring their rich heritage”.
As the Gaeltacht regions embrace the digital age, Údarás na Gaeltachta is taking “the next steps, together” with these unique communities, positioning them at the forefront of technological innovation. Through strategic investments in digital infrastructure, AI research facilities, and tech startup incubators, we are creating an ecosystem where traditional language communities can thrive in the artificial intelligence era.
This forward-thinking approach ensures Gaeltacht regions are not just preserving their cultural heritage but are becoming hubs for next-generation technology companies, creating high-skilled employment opportunities that allow young people to build careers while living in Irish-speaking communities”.