Things going 'go maith' for Irish-language weekly

Foinse, the Irish-language weekly paper, has had two occasions to celebrate of late

Foinse, the Irish-language weekly paper, has had two occasions to celebrate of late. This weekend, it was recognised with a Gradam Cumarsβide (a national media award) at Oireachtas na Gaeilge in Dingle, Co Kerry. Appropriately, the award was given just after the paper's fifth birthday.

Editor Breandβn Delap said he was delighted that the award recognised the contribution of all the staff and not just the journalists. "There have been times when it's been all hands on deck and everyone has had to get stuck in to get the paper out."

Based in Carraroe, Co Galway, Foinse employs eight people full-time. Published on Saturday, it is a 40-page publication with colour. Mr Delap describes it as being a paper for "Irish speakers and the Gaeltacht".

The trick, he says, is to balance national and local stories in such a way that there is something for everything but without the paper losing its focus. "It's a paper written through Irish rather than a paper of Irish. Our readers are interested in all matters and we have to cater to those interests."

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To that end, national and international stories are usually given the front page while more language-based matters - the who's doing what to whom at the movement - are put inside.

For example, Foinse lead with the Government's anger over Sellafield before it was picked up by others.

It covered the Twin Towers attack with reports from New York and, over the last number of weeks, has had reports from Afghanistan by an Irish-speaker in the region.

In addition, there are regular political columnists, dedicated regional pages and very informative and readable arts and sports sections. And, if you thought the life of the Gael was a dreary one, there is also a social column.

Mr Delap says he has to be "continually realistic about what can be done with the resources available" (Foinse is granted-aided by Foras na Gaeilge) .

And what plans for the future?

"More readers."