The Irish News has struck a ground-breaking partnership with the Ulster University and Gael Linn to create Irish language content across its growing digital platforms.
As part of the partnership, students from the university will create videos ‘as Gaeilge’ on The Irish News’ social channels, particularly TikTok and Instagram.
It marks the next phase in The Irish News’ coverage of, and content in, the Irish language.
Chris Sherrard, editor-in-chief of The Irish News, said: “We are delighted to have established this partnership with the Ulster University and Gael Linn.
“The Irish News has a proud history of coverage in the Irish language in print, going back many years, and led by our columnist Robert McMillen.
“That commitment continues unabated, and we will now be adding to that in a digital sense with this exciting series of short-form videos which will being the language to life for our audience.
“These videos will be on a range of subjects, but the common thread that runs through them all is an authenticity and sense of fun.
“We’re excited by those selected to join us for this partnership and we look forward to hearing the feedback from the audience as The Irish News’ commitment to the Irish language continues in this new direction.”
Dr Niall Comer, Ulster University/Comhaltas Uladh, said: “Ulster University, in partnership with Comhaltas Uladh and Gael-Linn, are delighted to collaborate in this groundbreaking and innovate initiative by The Irish News to create a digital platform in Irish on its pages.
“Not only will this create exciting new and modern Irish language material but will present huge opportunities for aspiring Irish language journalists to showcase their work at a national level.
“Tá Ollscoil Uladh, i gcomhpháirtíocht le Comhaltas Uladh agus Gael-Linn, thar a bheith sásta a bheith ag comhoibriú leis an Irish News leis an togra suntasach agus nuálach seo a chur chun cinn. Ní amháin go gcuirfear ábhar nua digiteach ar fáil i nGaeilge ach beidh deis ag ábhair iriseoirí Gaeilge saothar s’acu a léiriú ar ardán náisiúnta.”
Kathryn Ní Mhaoláin, Feidhmeannach Gael Linn, added: “The need for journalism and social media content through Irish is growing with the rise of all social media platforms.
“Gael Linn is delighted to contribute to the cultivation of content creators and journalists making high-quality video content in Irish through this initiative, which is placing the Irish language on the same level as the English language across The Irish News social media platforms.
“Tá an gá le hiriseoireacht agus ábhar trí Ghaeilge ar na meáin shóisialta ag fás de réir mar a fhásann na hardáin mheáin shóisialta ar fad.
“Tá Gael Linn ar bís cur le forbairt na gcruthaitheoirí ábhair agus na n-iriseoirí atá ag cruthú físábhar trí Ghaeilge ar ardchaighdeán sa togra seo, ina gcuirfear an Ghaeilge agus an Béarla ar chomhchéim ar mheáin shóisialta an Irish News.”
To view the Irish language content, follow The Irish News on Instagram (@theirishnews) and TikTok (@the_irish_news).