Derry & Strabane social media campaign to promote respect after Irish language signs vandalised

In response to a recent spate of vandalism in the Aghyaran area, in which Irish Language road signs were spray painted over, Sinn Féin councillor Caroline Devine successfully proposed a council-run social media campaign to promote the Irish names of townlands and streets across the city and district.

According to the proposal, the campaign is similar to one ran by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and will “help residents better understand the meaning behind our local place names and to promote respect for the Irish Language as part of our shared local heritage”.

UUP alderman Derek Hussey made an amended for the campaign to also promote Ulster Scots.

Councillor Devine said the vandalism “disrespects not just our language, but also our shared heritage, our community, and our overall sense of identity”.

“Last year Fermanangh and Omagh District Council ran a social media campaign highlighting the Irish names of their townlands and their streets, explaining the meanings and the origins of them, and I think that was a really positive way of helping people to improve our understanding of our local place names and where they come from,” she added.

DUP alderman and Deputy Mayor, Niree McMorris said that while the Irish Language has been “deeply politicised”, she supports “everybody's will to learn the language and to see it in whatever form.”

“We see this defacement of street signs on a regular basis coming into the city; on every single sign that says “Londonderry” the “London” is scored out, so I know exactly how people feel.”

“It's criminal damage. If we're going to have a shared future, then we need to be respectful of each other's cultures and languages.”

SDLP councillor Brian Tierney noted that previously members discussed vandalism following the defacement of the Strabane War memorial and said the vandals needed to “move on”, while Sinn Féin councillor Antaine Ó Fearghail said all languages should be respected.

“I think this is a brilliant educational thing, because people will understand their townland,” he added.

“Without the Irish language a lot of the names we hear, we haven't a clue and in the country most people use an anglicised version of the place names.”

Alderman Hussey said that while his party has issues with council’s policy for Irish street names, signs should be “left alone” once they have been erected.

“What are they achieving? Absolutely nothing," he said. “And I would appeal that that would desist.

“When these signs go up I believe they should be left alone. Whenever the Ulster Scott signs begin to appear I trust that they will be treated in the same way.”

People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin said council needs to promote “anything that encourages positive engagement with the Irish Language”.

He concluded: ”This is a very positive motion, it's about encouraging positive engagement.

“The Irish language is for everybody, more and more people are learning, and that's a good thing.”