Posted 24 January 2014
Bhronn An Cumann Gaelach UCD Gradam de hÍde ar an gcoimisinéir Eorpach Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
Bhronn An Cumann Gaelach UCD Gradam de hÍde ar an gcoimisinéir Eorpach Máire Geoghegan-Quinn mar aitheantas ar an obair mhór atá déanta aici chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn le linn a saol poiblí.
Tharla an searmanas bronnta oifigiúil i Seomra Díospóireachta Fitzgerald, Lárionad na Mac Léinn, an Coláiste Ollscoile Baile Átha Cliath.
Tá Gradam de hÍde ainmnithe i ndiaidh duine de bhunaitheoirí agus iar-Uachtaráin An Chumainn Ghaelaigh UCD, Dubhghlas de hÍde.
Bronntar Gradam de hÍde ar dhuine a gcreideann An Cumann Gaelach UCD a chuir an Ghaeilge chun cinn agus a thacaigh léi le linn a shaol/a saol poiblí.
Rinneadh an chéad Ollamh le Nua-Ghaeilge i gColáiste Ollscoile Baile Átha Cliath de Dhubhghlas de hÍde i 1909. Bhí an post sin aige go dtí gur éirigh sé as i 1932. Toghadh é mar chéad Uachtarán na hÉireann i 1938 agus d’fhóin sé go dtí deireadh a théarma i 1945.
Peadar Ó Lamhna, An Cumann Gaelach UCD; An tOllamh Andrew J Deeks, Uachtaráin UCD; Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, An Coimisinéir Eorpach agus Hugh Cannon, An Cumann Gaelach UCD
“Aithnítear leis an ngradam seo an obair mhór atá déanta ag an gCoimisinéir Geoghegan Quinn chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn in Éirinn agus san Eoraip - ón tráth a bhí sí ina hAire Gaeltachta, ina hAire Dlí agus Cirt agus ina hAire Iompair agus Turasóireachta go dtí an lá atá inniu ann agus í ag fónamh ina Coimisinéir Eorpach um Thaighde, Nuálaíocht agus Eolaíocht,” a deir Peadar Ó Lamhna, Leas-Reachtaire An Chumainn Ghaelaigh UCD.
Tar éis di glacadh leis an an ngradam, mhínigh Coimisnéir Geoghegan-Quinn dóibh siúd a bhí i láthair, a thábhachtaí is atá an Ghaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil san Aontas Eorpach, léirigh sí na slíte ina dtugann sí féin tús áite don Ghaeilge ina chuid oráidí agus labhair sí ar na deiseanna fostaíochta atá ar fail dóibh siúd le Gaeilge, sa Choimisiún Eorpach.
Sa bhliain 2008 a bhronn An Cumann Gaelach UCD Gradam de hÍde an chéad uair. I measc na ndaoine ar bronnadh an gradam orthu roimhe seo tá: an fear grinn, Des Bishop; an craoltóir, Hector Ó hEochagáin; agus Uachtarán na hÉireann, Micheál D. Ó hUigín.
An Cumann Gaelach UCD presented Hyde Award (Gradam de hÍde) to European Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
European Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn was presented with the Hyde Award (Gradam de hÍde) by An Cumann Gaelach UCD in recognition of her tireless work promoting the Irish language throughout her public life.
The official award ceremony took place in the Fitzgerald Debating Chamber, UCD Student Centre, University College Dublin.
The Hyde Award (Gradam de hÍde) is named after one of the founders and former Presidents of An Cumann Gaelach UCD, Douglas Hyde.
Douglas Hyde became the first Professor of Modern Irish in University College Dublin in 1909. He held the chair until his retirement in 1932. He was elected the first President of Ireland in 1938 and remained in office until his term was finished in 1945.
Pictured at the event: UCD President, Prof Andrew J Deeks and European Commisioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn with members of An Cumann Gaelach UCD
The Hyde Award (Gradam de hÍde) is presented to an individual who An Cumann Gaelach UCD believe has supported and promoted the Irish language (An Ghaeilge) throughout their public life.
“This award recognises Commissioner Geoghegan Quinn’s tireless work to support and promote the Irish language both in Ireland and in Europe - from the time she was Minister for the Gaeltacht, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Transport and Tourism, right the way through until now as the serving European Commissioner Research, Innovation and Science,” says Peadar Ó Lamhna, Vice-Auditor of An Cumann Gaelach UCD.
Accepting the award, Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn outlined to students and guests the importance of Irish as an official language in the EU, her role in promoting the Irish language in her speeches and public engagements, and the opportunities that exist for Irish speakers in the European Commission.
An Cumann Gaelach UCD first presented the Hyde Award (Gradam de hÍde) in 2008. Previous recipients include: comedian, Des Bishop; broadcaster, Hector O hEochagáin; and President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.
(Produced by UCD University Relations)
