Outside of the Gaeltacht areas, Monaghan has one of the highest number of Irish language speakers in the country. Cavan, on the other hand, is at the opposite end of that scale with one of the lowest number of speakers. Hope is not lost, however, as County Cavan has one of the highest number pf people who claim to have SOME Irish. During the last term of Cavan County Council, the need for a dedicated Irish language Officer for the area was raised by Sinn Féin's Paddy McDonald and Fianna Fáil Councillor Áine Smith, whoi is herself an Irish teacher and gaeilgoir.
Now, newly-elected Sinn Féin Cavan County Councillor Stiofán Conaty, has taken up the baton and at the last meeting he asked for an update on the recruitment of a dedicated Irish officer for Cavan. Here he tells Zoe Tunney what the role of a new officer will be and why it's important:
