Laois County Council are exploring the possibility of including ‘Pop Up Don Phalaistín’ as part of their cultural events for the Seachtain na Gaeilge festivities.
Speaking at the February meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District, Independent Councillor Tommy Mulligan detailed Pop Up Don Phalaistín and why he believed the event deserves some recognition.
Pop Up Don Phalaistín is a fundraising event for the Irish Red Cross in Gaza which will be held as part of the Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrations.
The event will be held on Saturday, March 1, in Ramsbottoms, Portlaoise.
It will be a night of Ceol beo, amhránaíocht agus filíocht (Live music, singing and poetry).
In response to Cllr Mulligan’s motion, Ms Julie Bergin, Assistant Director of Services at the Laois County Council’s Finance and Arts Departments, said library events during Seachtain na Gaeilge are primarily “events that promote the Irish language and culture in line with the national initiative.
“The library service does not hold events of a party-political nature.
“As for hosting an event showcasing the culture of other Countries, we will consider the suggestion when planning our other multicultural programmes throughout the year, such as World Refugee Week, Culture Night, and similar events.”
Cllr Mulligan described the response as “disappointing,” appealing for the Council’s response to be reviewed.
The Independent Councillor took issue with the description of Pop Up Don Phalaistín as an event “of a party-political nature,” saying the event would be nothing of the sort.
“‘Pop Up Gaeltacht’ is just a gathering of people which offers the chance to converse as Gaeilge with a group of friends,”Cllr Mulligan said.
“This has been running in Portlaoise since March 2018.
“All that’s being done differently for Seachtain na Gaeilge is a separate event called ‘Pop Up Don Phalaistín’ where there’ll be singing, live music, and poetry, with donations on the night going towards the Irish Red Cross working in Gaza.
“As a County Council we’ve backed the Occupied Territories Bill and we’ve spoken in the Chamber about the disgrace of a genocide that is taking place.
“This would be a way for us to show our support through our own native culture for the people of Gaza and Palestine.”
Fellow Independent Councillor Caroline Dwane-Stanley support the motion and joined Cllr Mulligan in urging a review of the decision.
“There’s no politics involved,” Cllr Dwane-Stanley said.
“This is about promoting the Irish language and raising money for the Red Cross, who are supporting Gaza”
Mr Simon Walton, Director of Services, said he and the Council would review the decision and look at including ‘Pop Up Don Phalaistín’ as part of their Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrations.
