Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway is officially the country’s first bilingual city
President Michael D Higgins is at the moment officiating at a ceremony at City Hall to celebrate ‘Cathair na Gaillimhe/The City of Galway’ as a Bilingual City.
The status is aimed at validating the economic and cultural impact of the language.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony which has just got underway chairman of Gaillimh le Gaeilge Dr Iognaid O’Muircheartaigh said Irish is worth over €136 million annually to Galway City and County
He said Irish also offers visitors to the Wild Atlantic Way a unique opportunity to hear and engage with the language as used by Galwegians in their daily lives.
He added we are looking forward to the road ahead, as Galway city carves a reputation locally, nationally and internationally as a city with special bilingual status
Speaking to FYI Galway at City Hall Mayor of Galway Frank Fahy paid tribute to Gaillimh le Gaeilge for pushing this initiative forward.