Bed and Breakfast, Derry – Culturlann

 

Culturlann

 

About

Cultúrlann has the purpose of bringing all languages together and having a variety of culture within the walled city, the Irish language is the most predominant language encouraged as it is the native language of the Irish people that has been forgotten and needs to be reintroduced.

This building has already become a central place for language and culture and will greatly enhance the Irish culture within the community and allow for the regeneration of the Irish language.

Structure

Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin is a 4 million building that includes a 200 seat theatre  which has multi-purposes. It can be used as an art centre, conference centre, language classroom and a young club for young Irish speakers. There is also a 1,655 sq ft business incubation suite, housing a café, craft centre and Irish language book shop and all facilities are open to both all people wishing to learn languages, welcoming all cultures.

The Language

The people of the Creggan, Bogside and Brandywell districts of Derry have long held an affinity to the Irish language. Indeed, most of the residents could trace their roots back to the Irish-speaking areas of Donegal. In the early 1900s, there were no fewer than 5 branches of Conradh na Gaeilge in the city, most of them located in the Bogside area.

In 1985, the Colmcille branch of Conradh na Gaeilge set up office in Dove House. The branch eventually moved to Gt James Street and grew into the organisation known as An Gaeláras currently based in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin. Together with community activists and parents from the area, An Gaeláras was instrumental in establishing Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, one of the most successful Irish-medium primary schools on the island, now located between the Bogside and Brandywell.