'Protestant Perspectives' on Irish language

The event is one of a series of talks due to take place this year exploring the contribution which Irish and Ulster-Scots make to contemporary life in our society.

Derry City Council says the speaker will stimulate fresh debate on the role of the Irish language in the context of our increasingly diverse society and will ask the question: can Irish become the intellectual property of all who live here regardless of political stance or religion?

In his latest book, Towards Inclusion - Protestants and the Irish Language, the event's speaker, Ian Malcolm, considers the historical relationship between Protestants and the language and looks at the role of the Irish language in our more recent past.

The author has undertaken comprehensive research into the attitudes of young Protestants towards the Irish language.

Dr Malcolm is based in Lurgan and is a freelance journalist and commentator on unionist affairs in the Irish language media. Ian has been a member of the RT Authority since 2005.

Ian maintains that the key to a future in which everyone can appreciate the language, regardless of religion or politics, is what he calls 'living Irish.'

The event has been organised with funding from the Community Relations Unit (OFMDFM) and will be held at the Tower Museum on Thursday 28th January 2010 from 12.30pm – 2.00pm.

For more information contact Derry City Council's Irish Language Officer on (028) 7136 5151 or the Community Relations on 028 7134 5160.