Ireland

Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, former president of Conradh na Gaeilge and Irish language activist, dies aged 67

Kneecap pay tribute to father of member Móglái Bap ahead of Belfast concert

Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, Irish language activist, has died at the age of 67
Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, Irish language activist, has died at the age of 67
Laura Coates
Sat Dec 21 2024 - 16:50

The death has taken place of the Irish language activist and former president of Conradh na Gaeilge Gearóid Ó Cairealláin at the age of 67.

He died at the Royal Hospital in his native Belfast on Friday after a short illness.

Mr Ó Cairealláin was president of Conradh na Gaeilge from 1995 to 1998. He was one of the pioneers and leaders of the Irish language movement in Belfast.

He founded many Irish language projects, including Preas an Phobail in 1981 and the first daily Irish language newspaper, Lá, in 1984. He was a founding member and lifelong advocate for Aisling Ghéar, Raidió Fáilte, Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich and Meánscoil Feirste, the Irish language secondary school in west Belfast’s Gaeltacht Quarter.

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He is survived by his wife Bríd, and sons Ainle, Cairbre, and Naoise, otherwise known as Móglái Bap of rap group Kneecap.

The trio paid tribute to Mr Ó Cairealláin ahead of their show in Belfast on Saturday night, posting on X: “He was an Irish language revolutionary, community activist, loving father, husband and an inspiration to many. We are heartbroken. Tonight’s concert at the SSE arena will be the largest Irish language gig in the city’s history. Nothing would have made him prouder. Tonight is for him.”

President of Conradh na Gaeilge, Paula Melvin, described him as a “loved and cherished figure” to the Irish language community in Belfast.

“There can be no denying the incredible influence and impact Gearóid had on the Irish language movement, not only in Belfast, but throughout the country. He leaves behind him an undeniable legacy that will be an immense source of inspiration for us all throughout the future. Go raibh míle maith agat, a Ghearóid agus suaimhneas síoraí ort.”

“Gearóid encapsulated the ‘Ná hAbair é, Déan é” drive and passion that led to the birth and development of so many transformational projects and campaigns in Belfast,” said the organisation’s advocacy manager Conchúr Ó Muadaigh.

“He was, in many ways, the great architect of the modern revival, and the Irish language community as we know it today would simply not be here were it not for Gearóid and his colleagues.

“Gearóid was resolute in his drive for language rights and equality, and tirelessly challenged the state and authorities for Irish language services. We must now seek to continue that activism in honour of our friend, Gearóid Ó Cairealláin.”