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Final year St Mary’s University College
BA (Hons) Liberal Arts student Meghan Ní Raifeartaigh receiving
her crystal Armagh City Mayor’s Award from Mayor Freda Donnelly.
Final year St Mary’s University College BA (Hons) Liberal
Arts degree student Meghan Ní Raifeartaigh who was the
winner of the Mayor’s Awards presented by Mayor Freda Donnelly
at the Armagh City Hotel in recognition of Meghan’s promotion
of the Irish language and culture within the local community.
Meghan recently completed her work placement with CAIRDE Teo,
a city based social enterprise dedicated to the promotion and
development of the Irish Language. While on placement, Development
Manager with CAIRDE Teo, Gearóid Ó Machail involved
Meghan in project planning and management, grant applications,
graphic design tasks, market research, office administration,
schools and community events and attending meetings with political
and cultural representatives in Stormont.
FOR INFORMATION - PRESS RELEASE – April 2012
Last week marked an important date for the community and voluntary
sector in Armagh City and District with the annual presentation
of the Mayor's Awards in Armagh City Hotel.
Among the many worthy award winners was local city girl Meghan
Ní Raifeartaigh who is currently on work placement with
CAIRDE Teo, a city based social enterprise dedicated to the promotion
and development of the Irish language.
Meghan received an attractive crystal award from Mayor Freda
Donnelly in recognition of her selfless dedication to event organisation
and cultural development within the local community. A final year
student at St Mary's University College Belfast where she is studying
a BA Hons Degree in Liberal Arts and Irish Language, Meghan devotes
her spare time to organising a diverse range of activities for
both young people and adults in the fields of culture, language
and Gaelic sports. Her boundless energy and her social networking
skills have proved to be an enormous asset to all the clubs and
organisations with whom she works.
Meghan's current work placement has enabled her to develop her
voluntary work and to take it to a new level of professionalism.
She has been dividing her time between project planning and management,
grant applications, graphic design tasks, market research, office
administration, schools and community events and attending meetings
with political and cultural representatives in Stormont.
As well as the recognition she has received from the Mayor and
from her employers, Meghan was also commended for her work with
the Irish Language by DCAL Minister Caral Ní Chuilin when
she visited Armagh City recently to officially open the CAIRDE
Teo offices and shop in Armagh City Shopping Centre.
Ms Ní Raifeartaigh expressed delight at the recognition
she has received from the Mayor and the Minister:
"I've always been committed to the promotion of Irish
language and culture including Gaelic sports. While the recognition
I've received recently is very gratifying, the real reward for
my work comes from the feedback that I receive from the local
community. Everything that I am involved with, including the time
I spend with underage teams at Naomh Bríd Camogie Club
to the huge effort required to deliver the two week summer camp,
Campa Mhacha, for Irish medium students in the summer, brings
its own rewards and challenges.
The work that I have been doing during my placement with
CAIRDE Teo and other projects that I've delivered with Gael Linn
have been challenging but they have nonetheless offered me the
opportunity to learn about the different aspects of running a
social enterprise and simultaneously managing a diverse range
of activities. People in this sector work extremely hard and I
have come to really admire their dedication and energy. I am also
thankful to my tutors at St Marys College for providing me with
such a rewarding placement opportunity".
Development Manager with CAIRDE Teo, Gearóid Ó
Machail, added his congratulations:
"Meghan has shown a remarkable aptitude in a number
of disciplines relating to cultural enterprise and development.
Her recent Mayor's award is no less than due recognition for her
tireless work within the local community. Meghan represents the
youthful and dynamic face of the Irish language revival. The language
is riding the crest of a wave of popularity at present and with
people like Meghan on board, who display commendable maturity
in sharing their passion and commitment, the Irish language has
a bright future in this city and district.
CAIRDE Teo is delighted to offer work placements and training
opportunities to students and other young people who have gained
the advantage of obtaining a second language through Irish medium
education. We know that Meghan has a bright future ahead of her
and will watch her progress with interest".
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