Súil siar ar an chéad Lá Dearg

12th April 2014 – the first Red Day when thousands of people walked from Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich to Custom House Square in central Belfast demanding rights, equality and justice.

This day succeeded Lá Mór na Gaeilge in Dublin in February of that year. A national campaign was being built at that time to ensure a future for the Irish language, that the language would survive in the Gaeltacht and that the language community in the Gaeltacht, north and south, would have the opportunities and right to live their lives through the medium of Irish.

It was the resignation of the first Language Commissioner, Seán Ó Cuirreáin, who inspired the Gaels towards action. Ó Cuirreáin said at the time:

"Notwithstanding the huge support of the majority of the general public in the country for the language, it is continuously being pushed to the edge of society, including a large part of the public administration […]. My choice was to stand back from my appointment as Coimisinéir Teanga on the basis of principle to highlight these issues or continue and, in that way, to participate in the preaching.”

Just before the big day, we got word from friends in Gaoth Dobhair and Conamara that they would wear red clothes and have a motto ‘Dearg le Fearg’. Everyone took this on board quickly and the red colour was significant in the events of the day.

Speaking on the stage, Caoimhe Ní Chathail announced that there would be a parade in Belfast in April, to begin a campaign that would focus on circumstances in the six counties. At this time, Comex published a report blaming Stormont’s executive for lack of progress on the Irish language. Foras na Gaeilge announced their decision on the New Funding Model, which changed the funding system entirely for Irish language organisations, leaving some groups in the north in a bad way. There were other cuts affecting different sectors and the problem of the lack of statutory protection was prominent.

In addition to this, a campaign had begun to establish a second Irish-medium secondary school in the north, Coláiste Feirste had a campaign for a bus service for its students, and many more were going on with a growing community despite all the obstacles and difficulties. Three demands were conceived as the cornerstones of the new campaign:

• The passing of a comprehensive, rights-based Irish Language Act
• That the state in the north fulfils its statutory obligation to develop an Irish-medium education system
• That appropriate resources be made available for the development of the Irish language community

At first we didn’t have a right title for the event – we unofficially called it ‘An Lá Mór’ or ‘An Lá Mór 2’ until it was recommended to join An Lá Dearg and put that motto from Gaeltacht communities into the heart of the campaign.

The day arrived and the crowds came from all over the country. In Custom House Square, there was a great emphasis on the younger generation and on the future. A group of musicians from Coláiste Feirste were playing when the crowd came to the final destination. The teenagers Cassie Ní Chatháin and Tigernach Ní Chasaide then spoke about education.

Móna Ó Dochartaigh spoke about raising a young family through Irish and the difficulties in obtaining services. Sara Ní Cuireáin from the Donegal Gaeltacht spoke about the struggle to save the Gaeltacht, and Aodh Óg Ó Gairbheith, a three-year-old Gaeltacht boy, sang a poem for the crowd that was full of humour and power.

Music from J.J. Ó Dochartaigh and Éamonn Mór Ó Faogáin ended the event.

We look back at a decade and we are very clear to find the roots of An Dream Dearg, but it is worth remembering the inspiration taken from the Gaeltacht communities.

It is also worth remembering the progress that has been made – it is not always recognised when we are fighting – and the challenges we still face, as well as the campaigns and demands to come.

There is a second Irish medium school in the north, now there is a mention of the urgent need for the second secondary school in Belfast. Conradh na Gaeilge is currently focusing on the problems with Foras na Gaeilge’s funding structure. And the Irish Language Act is still to be implemented, with a close eye on what will happen with the first Language Commissioner for the six counties.

Looking back ten years, it is also worth remembering the different ways our movement inspires each other. There are local campaigns but we are part of something that is much bigger and wider than ourselves. We can share lessons and show solidarity as we work towards the revival of the Irish language and the reconquest of Ireland.