Digitising the Conradh na Gaeilge archive

 February 2023, Maeve O' Neill

I was employed at the University of Galway in July 2022 to digitise sections of the archive of Conradh na Gaeilge. Prior to this I worked at the National Library of Ireland (NLI), where I was a digital photographer on the ‘Towards a Republic’ Collection.  

In Galway I work with a range of equipment to digitise the collection. The digital project digitises key documents from the Conradh na Gaeilge campaigns since the 1960s. Themes covered include Irish language television and radio services, the status of Irish as an official EU language, Irish in the education system, language legislation, the Gaeltacht Civil Rights Movement, local governance for the Gaeltacht and Irish speakers in Northern Ireland. When available to a broader public through digitisation, the archive will greatly enrich our understanding of the process of state formation in Ireland and the continuing use of the Irish language throughout the 20th Century.

 

Conradh was established in 1893 to preserve and revive the Irish language, which was near extinction and spoken by only approximately 3% of the Island’s population at the time. This collection encompasses material from its founding in 1893 through to 2018, when the collection was donated to the University of Galway. The Conradh archive is an exciting one, particularly to see the effect that local effort and grassroot activism can have in shaping a country, and seeing how numerous activist groups worked together to, for example, found alternative media outlets and independent schools - sometimes despite the best efforts of government. 

In archivist Niamh Ní Charra’s words:

 ‘Over the course of Conradh na Gailege’s existence its staff were actively involved in promoting and observing    the use of Irish across all aspects of everyday activities, and as such this collection provides an unparalleled insight into linguistic, cultural, social and political aspects of Ireland’s past. [...] In the latter half of the 20th century Conradh na Gaeilge, along with other organisations, was instrumental in community campaigns which led to the creation of Irish language radio and television stations (Raidió na Gaeltachta and TG4 respectively), to the enactment of the Official Languages Act [14 July 2003], and to making Irish an official language of the European Union [1 January 2007]. Campaign material in the collection also includes documents relating to prisoners’ rights and civil rights in Northern Ireland, in particular during the period of the Hunger Strikes [1980-1981].’  

Technical Specifications

 

The majority of the material is digitised on a Plustek OpticBook A300 Plus Photo Scanner, with Irfan Software. The BookEye 5 was on hand for the oldest and most delicate publications. For the photographic and large format material, a Guardian ICAM Floor Standing Modular Copy Stand System is used with studio lighting and a PhaseOne XF 150MP Camera System, Mamiya lenses, and Capture One Pro Software. Each image capture device is set to 600dpi and saved as a 24-bit colour TIFF. File sizes vary based on the size of material, but average at approximately 70MB. Over 44,000 images have been digitised to date. With almost eight months completed of an overall project time of approximately ten months, the digitisation of this part of the archive is 80% complete.

The most delicate material for digitisation are the Oireachtas and Ard Fheis booklets from the late 1800s and up to the 1910s, when the books became more robust. These older documents require careful handling and were digitised slowly to preserve the stability of the book spines and avoid paper tearing. Many, many rusted metal staples had to be painstakingly removed before the pages could be laid on the scanner surface or copystand base.

Material

The material selected for digitisation covers the Oireachtas and Ard Fheis publications, as well as sections from series on Media, Northern Ireland, Campaigns, Education, Comhaltas Uladh, Political Parties, and Language Organisations. Over the decades, Conradh has seen multiple governments come and go, and much correspondence with government officials has been digitised. Most series contain internal reports, press releases, correspondence, minutes, newspaper cuttings, brochures and informal notes, appearing in Irish and English. There is also a range of material from other countries with minority or suppressed languages, including Scots Gaelic, Welsh, and Limburgish.

The physical collection can be accessed by those interested in the Special Collections Reading Room by prior request, and in future the digitised material will be accessible online.

Digital project team

Digitisation: Maeve O Neill

Digital archivists: Catriona Cannon and Aisling Keane

Archivist: Niamh Ní Charra

Project manager: Cillian Joy

Project sponsor: John Walsh

Author

This blog was written by Maeve O Neill, digitisation professional for the Conradh na Gaeilge archive at the University of Galway.

More information

Conradh na Gaeilge archive listing

A more detailed breakdown of the archive series can be accessed here which forms part of the online digital exhibition.

Blogs relating to the work of archivist Niamh Ní Charra in processing this archive can be accessed here:

Blog 1 Conradh na Gaeilge archive - First step

Blog 2 Appraising the Archive

Blog 3 Conradh na Gaeilge Phase Two

Blog 4 Conradh na Gaeilge Digitial Exhibition

Blog 5 Conradh na Gaeilge Archive catalogued

   

Leagan Gaeilge

Digitiú chartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge

 Feabhra 2023, Maeve O' Neill

Fostaíodh in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe mé i mí Iúil 2022 chun codanna de chartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge a dhigitiú. D'oibrigh mé roimhe seo i Leabharlann Náisiúnta na hÉireann (NLI), áit a raibh mé i mo ghrianghrafadóir digiteach don Bhailiúchán ‘Towards a Republic’.  

Bíonn raon trealaimh á úsáid agam i nGaillimh chun an bailiúchán a dhigitiú. Déanann an tionscadal digiteach príomhcháipéisí ó fheachtais Chonradh na Gaeilge ó na 1960idí i leith a dhigitiú. I measc théamaí an bhailiúcháin tá seirbhísí teilifíse agus raidió Gaeilge, stádas na Gaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil de chuid an AE, an Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais, reachtaíocht teanga, Gluaiseacht Chearta Sibhialta na Gaeltachta, rialachas áitiúil don Ghaeltacht mar aon le cainteoirí Gaeilge i dTuaisceart Éireann. Ach leagan digiteach den chartlann a bheith ar fáil don phobal níos leithne, cuirfear go mór lenár dtuiscint ar an bpróiseas trínar cuireadh stát na hÉireann ar bun, agus ar úsáid leanúnach na Gaeilge i rith an fhichiú haois.

 

Bunaíodh Conradh na Gaeilge in 1893 chun an Ghaeilge a chaomhnú agus a athbheochan. Bhí an chuma ar an nGaeilge an uair sin gur ar an dé deiridh a bhí sí, agus gan ach tuairim is 3% de dhaonra na tíre á labhairt ag an am. Cuimsítear leis an mbailiúchán seo ábhar ó bhliain a bhunaithe in 1893 síos go dtí 2018, nuair a bronnadh an bailiúchán ar Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Cartlann ríspéisiúil is ea cartlann an Chonartha, agus díol spéise ar leith is ea a éifeachtaí is a bhí feachtais áitiúla agus gníomhaíochas an phobail chun an tír a athrú chun feabhais. Ábhar suntais chomh maith is ea an chaoi ar oibrigh grúpaí gníomhaithe éagsúla le chéile chun, mar shampla, nuachtáin agus scoileanna neamhspleácha a bhunú – uaireanta in ainneoin an rialtas a bheith go mór ina n-aghaidh. 

Seo mar a labhair an cartlannaí, Niamh Ní Charra,  maidir leis sin:

 ‘Ón uair a bunaíodh é, chuir Conradh na Gaeilge chuige úsáid na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn i ngach gné de ghnáthimeachtaí an tsaoil, agus faireachán a dhéanamh ar an úsáid sin. Tugann an cnuasach seo léargas faoi leith, mar sin, ar ghnéithe teangeolaíocha, cultúrtha, sóisialta agus polaitiúla den saol in Éirinn san am a caitheadh. [...] Bhí ról ríthábhachtach ag Conradh na Gaeilge, in éineacht le heagraíochtaí eile, sa dara leath den fhichiú haois sna feachtais phobail a raibh sé de thoradh orthu gur bunaíodh stáisiúin raidió agus teilifíse Gaeilge (Raidió na Gaeltachta agus TG4), gur achtaíodh Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla [14 Iúil 2003], agus gur bhain an Ghaeilge amach stádas mar theanga oifigiúil de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh [1 Eanáir 2007]. Áirítear le hábhar feachtais an bhailiúcháin chomh maith cáipéisí a bhaineann le cearta príosúnach agus cearta sibhialta i dTuaisceart Éireann, go háirithe le linn thréimhse na Stailceanna Ocrais [1980-1981].’  

Sonraíochtaí Teicniúla

 

Déantar formhór an ábhair a dhigitiú le bogearraí Irfan ar Scanóir Grianghraf Plustek OpticBook A300 Plus. Bhí an scanóir leabhar BookEye 5 ar fáil do na foilseacháin is sine agus is íogaire. Maidir leis an ábhar grianghrafadóireachta agus ábhar i bhformáid mhór, úsáidtear Córas Seastán Cóipeála Modúlach Saorsheasaimh ICAM Guardian le soilsiú stiúideo agus Córas Ceamara 150MP PhaseOne XF 150MP, lionsaí Mamiya, agus bogearraí Capture One Pro. Déantar gach gléas gabhála íomhá a shocrú do 600dpi agus sábháiltear gach íomhá mar chomhad daite TIFF 24-giotán. Athraíonn méideanna comhad de réir mhéid an ábhair atá i gceist, ach isteach is amach le 70MB a bhíonn i gceist go hiondúil. Rinneadh breis agus 44,000 íomhá a dhigitiú go dtí seo. Tá beagnach ocht mí den deich mí, nó mar sin, a leagadh amach don tionscadal caite anois agus tá 80% den digitiú a bhí le déanamh ar an sciar seo den chartlann déanta.

 Is é an t-ábhar is íogaire atá le digitiú leabhráin an Oireachtais, agus na hArd-Fheise, ó dheireadh an naóú céad déag suas go dtí na 1910idí, nuair a chuaigh na leabhair i dtéagar. Ní mór na cáipéisí níos sine sin a láimhseáil go cúramach, agus rinneadh iad a dhigitiú go mall chun cobhsaíocht na ndromanna a chaomhnú agus chun nach stróicfear na bileoga. Bhí líon mór stáplaí miotail meirgeacha le baint as go cúramach sula bhféadfaí na leathanaigh a leagan ar dhromchla an scanóra nó ar an seastán cóipe.

Ábhar

Is iad na hábhair a roghnaíodh le haghaidh a ndigitithe foilseacháin an Oireachtais agus na hArd-Fheise, chomh maith le míreanna ó shraitheanna ar na Meáin Chumarsáide, Tuaisceart Éireann, Feachtais, Oideachas, Comhaltas Uladh, Páirtithe Polaitiúla agus Eagraíochtaí Teanga. Is iomaí rialtais a tháinig i gcumhacht sa tréimhse atá i gceist, agus tá digitiú déanta ar go leor den chomhfhreagras a bhí ag Conradh na Gaeilge le hoifigigh rialtais. I measc na hábhair a bhíonn sa chuid is mó de na sraitheanna tá tuarascálacha inmheánacha, preasráitis, comhfhreagras, miontuairiscí, gearrthóga nuachtáin, bróisiúir agus nótaí neamhfhoirmiúla, i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla. Tá raon ábhar ann freisin ó thíortha eile ina bhfuil mionteangacha nó teangacha faoi chois, agus san áireamh leis sin tá Gaeilge na hAlban, Breatnais agus Liombuirgis.

Is féidir leo siúd ar spéis leo é rochtain a fháil ar an mbailiúchán fisiciúil i Seomra Léitheoireachta na mBailiúchán Speisialta ach iarratas a dhéanamh roimh ré, agus beidh fáil ar an ábhar digitithe ar líne amach anseo.

 

 

Foireann an Tionscadail Dhigitigh

Digitiú: Maeve O Neill

Cartlannaithe digiteacha: Catriona Cannon agus Aisling Keane

Cartlannaí: Niamh Ní Charra

Bainisteoir Tionscadail: Cillian Joy

Urra an Tionscadail: John Walsh

Údar

Is í Maeve O Neill a scríobh an blag seo, arb í an gairmí digitithe do chartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe í.

Tuilleadh eolais

Catalóg chartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge 

Is féidir miondealú níos mionsonraithe den tsraith cartlainne a fháil ar an leathanach gréasáin seo a leanas ar cuid den taispeántasdigiteach ar líne é. 

Is féidir teacht ar bhlaganna a bhaineann leis an obair a rinne an cartlannaí Niamh Ní Charra chun an chartlann seo á phróiseáil anseo:

Blag 1 Cartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge - Chéad Chéim

Blag 2 Cartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge - An Chartlann a Mheas

Blag 3 Cartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge - Céim 2

Blag 4 Cartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge - Taispeántas Digiteach Seolta

Blag 5 Catalógú déanta ar chartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge

English Version

 

 

Léiriú Póstaer Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ag comhdháil Dhébhliantúil Chomhairle Idirnáisiúnta na gCartlann, an Róimh, 19-23 Meán Fómhair 2022

                                                 

Tá cartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, agus obair an chartlannaí Niamh Ní Charra chun í a phróiseáil agus a chur ar fáil do thaighdeoirí, mar ábhar do chur i láthair póstaer ag Comhdháil ICA [Comhairle Idirnáisiúnta na gCartlann] na bliana seo. Tá Ní Charra ag seasamh an fhóid léi féin do chartlanna agus do chartlannaithe na hÉireann ag an gcomhdháil agus is é seo an chéad uair a bheidh an Ghaeilge le feiceáil ó thosaigh an chomhdháil deich mbliana ó shin.

"Archives: Bridging the Gap" an téama a bhaineann le comhdháil na bliana seo, agus tá sé sin roinnte ina cheithre chatagóir eile:"Bridging the Digital Gap", "Bridging the Cultural Gap", "Bridging the Democracy Gap" agus "Bridging the Distance". Tagann aighneacht Ní Charra faoin dara catagóir agus tá an téasc a théann lena cur i láthair póstaer anseo thíos.

Cartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, Éire

Cás-staidéar ar an obair chun cartlann Ghaeilge a phróiseáil, an tionscadal tánaisteach a d'eascair as sin chun téarmaí cartlainne a cheapadh i nGaeilge, agus na buntáistí níos leithne is féidir a bhaint amach agus catalógú á dhéanamh ar chartlanna teangacha mionlaithe.

Sa bhliain 2018 cuireadh tús le hobair ar phróiseáil agus ar chatalógú chartlann mór le rá Chonradh na Gaeilge in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Críochnaíodh an obair agus seoladh an chartlann go hoifigiúil níos luaithe i mbliana. Cabhraíonn cur i dtaisce, próiseáil agus cur ar fáil chartlann na heagraíocht trasteorann agus ollscoil a bhfuil sainchúram uathúil uirthi i leith na Gaeilge, trí chatalógú dátheangach, trí bhreis agus 200 téarma cartlainne a cheapadh i nGaeilge agus trí úsáid a bhaint as an gcartlann chun aird a tharaingt ar obair na heagraíochta féin.

Céard é Conradh na Gaeilge?

    Is eagraíocht é Conradh na Gaeilge a bhunaíodh sa bhliain 1893 chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn in Éirinn agus thar lear. Tugann an t-ábhar léargas uathúil ar an 130 bliain nó níos mó de stair oileán na hÉireann. Rinne an fhoireann úsáid na Gaeilge i ngach gné den saol ó lá go lá a chur chun cinn agus a scrúdú. Clúdaíonn cuid shuntasach den ábhar roinnt feachtas a bhaineann le cearta teanga. Áirítear freisin cáipéisí a bhaineann le cearta na bpríosúnach agus cearta sibhialta i dTuaisceart Éireann.

Bhí an Conradh lárnach i bhfeachtais phobail a raibh na nithe seo a leanas mar thoradh orthu:

• cruthú stáisiún raidió agus teilifíse Gaeilge [1972, 1996]
• achtú Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla [14 Iúil 2003] i (bPoblacht) na hÉireann
• an Ghaeilge a bheith mar theanga oifigiúil de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh[1 Eanáir 2007]

Tá siad fós i mbun feachtais ar son chearta na Gaeilge i dTuaisceart Éireann. 

Ag croílár na bhfeactas seo tá ceart an duine aonair ar a (h)ainm féin a bheith ina t(h)eanga féin, agus maireachtáil agus idirghníomhú ina t(h)eanga féin, teanga atá dúchasach don oileán seo.

 

Cén fáth a roghnaíodh Ollscoil na Gaillimhe?

    Agus cinneadh á dhéanamh cén áit ar cheart an chartlann thar a bheith saibhir agus suntasach seo a chur i dtaisce, bhí a fhios ag Conradh na Gaeilge a thábhachtaí a bhí sé an institiúid cheart a roghnú chun an chartlann a choinneáil agus an obair riachtanach a dhéanamh. Tar éis machnamh cúramach a dhéanamh, roghnaigh siad Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, (Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimhe roimhe seo). Bhí roinnt cúiseanna leis an gcinneadh seo: 

• Sainchúram na hOllscoile - gné uathúil de shainchúram Ollscoil na Gaillimhe mar ollscoil is ea a tiomantas straitéiseach maidir le hoideachas ollscoile a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge, a haidhm freastal ar an nGaeltacht agus ar phobal na Gaeilge, agus campas dátheangach eiseamláireach a chruthú.
• Suíomh - tá an ollscoil suite ar chósta thiar na hÉireann ar imeall Ghaeltacht Chonamara. Chomh maith le sin, tá dlúthcheangal idir an Ollscoil agus an réigiún mar gheall go bhfuil ionaid oideachais agus chultúir Ghailge aici i nGaeltacht Chonamara agus i nGaeltacht Dhún na nGall araon. 
• Cartlanna i dteangacha eile - tá an cnuasach aitheanta seo anois i measc go leor cartlanna Gaeilge eile san ollscoil, agus baint ag go leor acu sin leis an gcartlann seo.
• Meas ar an teanga - agus Ollscoil na Gaillimhe á roghnú, chinntigh Conradh na Gaeilge go mbeadh comhpháirteach ar leith a raibh meas ar an teanga agus ar an ábhar lárnach sa chúram a bhí idir lámha aici.

Ceisteanna Uathúla:

    Seachas na gnáthchinntí a chaithfidh cartlannaithe a dhéanamh agus cartlann á meas, á próiseáil, á buanchoimeád agus á catalógú, tháinig ceisteanna uathúla breise chun cinn de charr nádúr na cartlainne áirithe seo.

    Mar chuid den chomhaontú idir Conradh na Gaeilge agus an Ollscoil, bhí sé ríthábhachtach go mbeadh an chartlann liostaithe i nGaeilge le cinntiú go raibh sí ar fáil do phobal na Gaeilge. Chinn an chartlannaí liosta a dhéanamh i mBéarla freisin chun a chinntiú go mbeadh an chartlann iontach seo inrochtana do dhaoine nach bhfuil Gaeilge acu chomh maith. (Tá go leor preaseisiúintí agus ábhar eile i mBéarla agus tá 24 teanga léirithe sa bhailiúchán).

    Ba ghná cinntí a dhéanamh maidir leis an litriú fresin: Ní dhearnadh caighdeánú ar litriú na Gaeilge go dtí na 1950idí agus tá go leor éagsúlachtaí litrithe le fáil sa chnuasach dá bharr. Ar mhaithe le leanúnachas roghnaíodh litriú nua-aimseartha agus liostaíodh leaganacha níos sine freisin nuair ba dhá (e.g. Connradh na Gaedhilge [Conradh na Gaeilge]).

    I measc na gcinntí a bhain le CALM bhí cén t-ord a bheadh ar na liostaí Gaeilge agus Béarla, conas an dá cheann a scaradh óna chéile, cibé acu roghanna saorthéacs nó Roghchláir Anuas a úsáid le haghaidh réimsí áirithe, agus cén áit ar cheart na roghanna réamhshocraithe a shárú. Agus liostú dátheangach curtha isteach in CALM, bheadh an áis aimsithe ar fáil go dátheangach freisin dá ndéanfaí tuairisc a ghiniúint trí CALM. Socráiodh mar sin leagan Gaeilge amháin a chur ar fáil chomh maith mar cháipéis Word.

    Le linn an phróisis catalógaithe, baineadh úsáid as seirbhís aistriúcháin na hOllscoile. Cuireadh bac ar a sárobair, áfach, toisc nach raibh téarmaíocht chartlainne Ghaeilge ar fáil ag an am.

Tionscadal tánaisteach - 200 téarma cartlainne ceaptha i nGaeilge:

    Tháinig fadhbanna maidir le haistriúchán na catalóige chhun cinn go luath sa phróiseas mar gheall ar easpa téarmaíocht oifigiúil chartlainne i nGaeilge. De bharr shaibhreas na teanga bhí roghanna iolracha do théarmaí áirithe ar fáil, agus ní raibh aon leagan Gaeilge do thearmaí eile, nó má bhí ní raibh sé ag cur an bhrí ar leith mar a bhain sé leis an gcomhthéacs cartlainne in iúl. Fuair Ní Charra amach, cé go bhfuil bailiúcháin chartlainne Ghaeilge ar fud na tíre, gur fíorbheagán a bhí catalógaithe i nGaeilge, agus má bhí féin gur ar bhonn ad hoc a rinneadh iad. Níor aithníodh na neamhréireachtaí idir liostaí ó thaobh caighdeáin chartlainne de.

    Mar thoradh díreach ar na fadhbanna seo, chuir sí tús le tionscadal ina raibh Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, Cartlann Náisiúnta na hÉireann agus An Coiste Téarmaíochta páirteach agus bhí sí ina comhstiúrthóir ar an tionscadal. Ceapadh 200 téarma cartlainne go hoifigiúil i nGaeilge mar thoradh ar an gcomhoibriú. A bhuíochas nach beag don Dr Luciana Duranti, tá na téarmaí seo ar fáil anois ar bhunachar sonraí MAT de chuid an ICA, áit a bhfuil Ní Charra ainmnithe mar chomhordaitheoir na Gaeilge.

Buntáistí an tionscadail:

    Ba mhór an tairbhe a bhain leis an déthionscadal chun cartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe a mheas, a bhuanchoimeád agus a chatalógú, rud a d'fhág gur cruthaíodh agus gur ceapadh téarmaí cartlainne i nGaeilge. Ní hamháin gur cás-staidéar maith atá i gcatalógú na cartlainne aitheanta seo - is sárthaispeántas é ar na cúiseanna seo a leanus:

• Leanúnachas - leis an téarmaíocht nua seo ar fáil, spreagtar leanúnachas i liostú na Gaeilge chun teacht le caighdeáin chartlainne.
• Cuimsitheach - ciallaíonn sé gur féidir cartlanna Gaeilge a liostú i nGaeilge, rud a fhágann go bhfuil siad cuimsitheach agus go gcinntítear go mbíonn rochtain ag na daoine is mó a mbaineann na cartlanna seo.
• Meas agus aitheantas - is aitheantas tábhachtach é cartlann chomh suntasach sin a chur ar fáil agus é sin a dhéanamh i nGaeilge, ag baint úsáid as téarmaí oifigiúla sa teanga sin, don teanga dhúchais féin, agus don phobal a labhraíonn í mar chéad teanga.
• Cruthaítear feasacht - is minic a dhéanann taighdeoirí neamhaird ar bhailiúcháin i dteangacha mionlaithe, in ainneoin go bhfuil siad an-saibhir ó thaobh ábhair de. Is é an toradh atá air ná gur minic a bhíonn na scéalta sna cartlanna seo in easnamh ón scéal iomlán.
• Glacadh - táthar ag siúl go spreagfaidh an téarmaíocht Axiell agus dreamanna eile glacadh léi agus a gcuid táirgí a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge.
• Éifeacht iarmhartach - ba chóir go spreagfadh an cás-staidéar seo agus an téarmaíocht nua níos mó institiúidí chun níos mó cartlanna Gaeilge a chatalógú.

An chartlann a dhíchoilíniú - más mian linn comhrá a thosú faoin gcartlann a dhíchoilíniú, caithfimid machnamh a dhéanamh ar theanga na cartlainne.

    

    Nuair a dhéantar breithniú ar choilíneacht na cartlainne i gcomhthéacs teanga, is gnách go mbíonn an plé dírithe ar ábhar na cartlainne, téarmaí áirithe a mbaineann fadhbanna leo á n-úsáid chun cur síos a dhéanamh ar an gcartlann, nó b'fhéidir claonadh na dtuairiscí sin, ach is annamh a bhíonn an teanga féin ina bhfuil an iontráil catalóige curtha san áireamh. Ina theannta sin, tá claonadh san Eoraip smaoineamh ar choilíneachtaí í láthair na huaire agus iarchoilíneachtaí a bheith suite lasmuigh den mhór-roinn féin, agus tá an pobal cartlainne den tuairim chéanna ina leith seo. Mar sin is meabhrúchán séimh é an tionscadal seo go bhfuil roinnt iarchoilíneachtaí i bhfad níos gaire don bhaile, agus go bhfanann codanna eile den mhór-roinn seo ina gcríocha atá faoi chonspóid agus roinnte.

Dúshlán don phobal cartlainne:

    IS é an dúshlán don phobal cartlainne, ní amháin a chinntiú nuair a insítear na scéalta seo, go bhfuil siad caomhnaithe agus inrochtana i gcartlanna, ach freisin a chinntiú go bhuil an rochtain seo chomh cuimsitheach agus is féidir. Bíodh an t-ábhar i nGaeilge nó i dteangacha miolaithe eile (agus tá an téarma "miolaithe" seachas "mionlach" ríthábhachtach anseo), ba chóir do phobal na cartlainne ár ndícheall a dhéanamh a chinntiú nach bhfuilimid mar chuid de na constaicí atá roimh phobail agus iad ag iarraidh teacht ar na scéalta seo. Céim amháin chun an bhearna chultúrtha seo a líonadh is ea níos mó catalógú dátheangach/ilteangach a sholáthar, agus é sin a dhéanamh ar bhealach leanúnach de réir caoghdeáin chartlainne trí théarmaíocht chartlainne a chruthú/a cheapadh.

Naisc:

    Tá tuilleadh eolais faoin gcartlann féin agus faoin tionscadal chun téarmaí cartlainne i nGaeilge a cheapadh le fáil thíos:

Seoladh Chartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge

Taispeántas Digiteach Chonradh na Gaeilge

200 téarma cartlainne ceaptha i nGaeilge

Téarmaíocht i bhformáid PDF: Gaeilge-Béarla, Béarla-Gaeilge, Gaeilge amháin.

Bunachar Téarmaíochta Cartlainne Ilteangach de chuid Chomhairle Idirnáisiúnta na gCartlann.

English version of this blog

 

University of Galway Poster Presentation at the International Council on Archives' biennial conference, Rome 19-23 September 2022.

The Conradh na Gaeilge archive at the University of Galway, and the work by archivist Niamh Ní Charra to process it and make it available for researchers, forms the basis of a poster presentation at the upcoming International Council on Archives conference taking place in Europe for the first time since 2015. Ní Charra is flying the flag for Irish archives and archivists at the conference and her contribution marks the first time the Irish language will have featured in the conference's ten year history.

The theme of this year's conference is "Archives: Bridging the Gap", which is further divided into four categories: "Bridging the Digital Gap", "Bridging the Cultural Gap", "Bridging the Democracy Gap" and "Bridging the Distance". Ní Charra's submission falls under the second category and background information to accompany her onsite poster presentation follows below.

The Conradh na Gaeilge archive at University of Galway, Ireland

A case study of the work to process an Irish language archive, 

the resulting side project to designate archival terms in Irish, 

and the wider benefits attainable when cataloguing minoritized-language archives.

In 2018 work commenced on processing and cataloguing the iconic Conradh na Gaeilge archive at the University of Galway. Earlier this year, the work was completed and the archive was officially launched online. The deposit, processing and release of the Irish language organisation's archive at the university helps bridge the cultural gap through the partnership of a cross-border organisation and a university with a unique Irish language remit, through bilingual cataloguing, through the designation of over 200 archival terms in the Irish language and through the use of the archive to highlight the work of the organisation itself.

Who are Conradh na Gaeilge?

    Conradh na Gaeilge [The Gaelic League] is an organisation which was founded in 1893 to promote the Irish language in Ireland and abroad. Material gives a unique insight into the last 130 years or more of the history of the island of Ireland. Staff were actively involved in promoting and observing the use of Irish across all aspects of everyday activities. A significant portion of material covers several language rights campaigns. Also included are documents relating to prisoners' rights and civil rights in Northern Ireland.

Conradh were instrumental in community campaigns which led to the

• creation of Irish language radio and television stations [1972, 1996]
• the enactment of the Official Languages Act [14 July 2003] in Ireland
• making Irish an official language of the European Union [1 January 2007]

They are still campaigning for Irish language rights in Northern Ireland. 

At the core of these campaigns is the right of the individual to their own name, and to living and interacting in their own language, one that is indigenous to this island.

 

Why University of Galway?

    When deciding where to deposit this immensely rich and significant archive, Conradh na Gaeilge were conscious of the importance of choosing the right institution to house the archive and carry out the work required. After much careful consideration, they chose the University of Galway, formerly the National University of Ireland, Galway. There were several reasons for this decision.

• Remit of the university - a unique aspect of the University of Galway's remit as a university is its strategic commitment to the provision of university education through the medium of Irish, its aim to serve the Gaeltacht [Irish language speaking regions] and the Irish language community, and to create an exemplary bilingual campus.
• Location - the university is situated on the West coast of Ireland on the edge of the Connemara Gaeltacht, one of several Irish-speaking regions in Ireland. Furthermore, its links with the region are strengthened by its Irish language education and cultural centres in towns in both the Connemara and Donegal Gaeltachts. 
• Other Irish language archives - this iconic collection joins many more Irish language archives at the university, many of which have links to it.
• Respect - in choosing the University of Galway, Conradh na Gaeilge ensured a unique partnership where respect for the language and for the material was central to the task at hand.

Unique considerations:

    Apart from the normal decisions archivists need to make when appraising, processing, preserving and cataloguing an archive, the nature of this particular archive brought additional unique considerations.

    As part of the agreement between Conradh na Gaeilge and the university, it was vital that the archive be listed in Irish to ensure it was inclusive for the Irish language community. It was decided by the archivist to also list in English to ensure this wonderful archive was accessible to non-Irish language speakers as well. (Many press releases and other material are in English, and there are in fact 24 languages represented in the collection).

    Decisions on spelling also needed to be made: Irish language spelling was not standardised until the 1950s and many variations of spelling exist throughout the collection as a result. For the purposes of consistency, modern spelling was chosen with older versions also listed where necessary (eg Connradh na Gaedhilge [Conradh na Gaeilge]).

    Decisions on CALM included what order the Irish and English listings appeared, how to separate the two, whether to use free text or drop down menu options for certain fields and where to override the default options. With bilingual listing inputted in CALM, generating a report through CALM would automatically result in the finding aid also being bilingual. It was therefore decided to also provide an Irish-only version as a word document.

    Throughout the cataloguing process, use was made of the university's translation department. However, their excellent work was hampered due to the nonexistence of Irish language archival terminology at the time.

Side project - 200 archival terms designated in the Irish language:

    Issues with catalogue translations arose early in the process due to the absence of official archival terminology in the Irish language. The incredibly rich language meant that there were multiple options for some terms, while other terms simply did not have any Irish language equivalent, or the specific meaning as it related to the archival context was being lost. Ní Charra discovered that while Irish language archive collections exist all over the country, very few had been catalogued in Irish, and those that had been were done on an ad-hoc basis. The inconsistencies between listings from an archival standards point of view had not been recognised.

    As a direct consequence of these issues, she instigated and co-led a project involving University of Galway, the National Archive of Ireland and An Coiste Téarmaíochta [The Irish Language Terminology Committee]. The collaboration led to 200 archival terms being officially designated in the Irish language. Thanks in no small part to Dr Luciana Duranti, these terms are now available on ICA's MAT database where Ní Charra has been nominated as the Irish language co-ordinator.

Project Benefits:

    The dual project to have Conradh na Gaeilge's archive at the University of Galway appraised, preserved and catalogued, which in turn led to the creation and designation of archival terms in the Irish language has been hugely beneficial. The cataloguing of this iconic archive is not just a good case study - it is a perfect showcase for the following reasons:

• Consistency - having this new terminology available encourages consistency in Irish language listing to archival standards.
• Inclusivity - it enables Irish language archives to be listed in Irish making them inclusive and ensuring those for whom the archives relate the most, have access.
• Respect and recognition - making such a significant archive available and doing so through Irish, using official terms in that language, is an important recognition of both the indigenous language itself, and the community who speak it as their first language.
• Creates awareness - collections in minoritized languages are often overlooked by researchers, despite being very rich in material. The stories in these archives are therefore often missing from the overall narrative.
• Adoption - having the terminology should hopefully encourage Axiell and others to adopt it and make their products available in Irish.
• Positive knock-on effect - this case study and new terminology should encourage more institutions to have more Irish language archives catalogued.

Decolonising the archive - if we want to start a conversation about decolonising the archive, we need to think about the language of the archive.

    

    When considering the coloniality of the archive the discussion is generally either centred around the material of the archive, certain problematic terms being used in describing the archive, or perhaps the bias of those descriptions, but very rarely is the language itself the catalogue entry is in considered. In addition, there is a tendency within Europe to think of present and former colonies being located outside of the continent itself, and the archival community are no different in this regard. This project therefore can act as a gentle reminder that some former colonies are much closer to home, and other parts of this continent remain contested and divided territories.

Challenge to the archive community:

    The challenge for the archive community, is not only to ensure that when these stories are told, they are preserved and accessible in archives, but also to ensure this access is as inclusive as possible. Whether material is in Irish or in other minoritized languages (and the term "minoritized", not "minority" here is key), the archive community should do our best to ensure we are not part of the obstacles communities face when trying to access these stories. Providing more bi/multi-lingual cataloguing, and doing so in a consistent manner to archival standards through the creation/designation of archival terminology, is one step towards bridging this cultural gap.

Useful Links:

    More information on the archive itself, and on the project to designate archival terms in Irish can be found below:

Launch of the Conradh na Gaeilge Archive 

Conradh na Gaeilge Digital exhibition

200 Archival terms designated in the Irish language

PDFs of the terminology in English-Irish, Irish-English, Irish only

International Council on Archives Multilingual Terminology Database.

Leagan Gaeilge den bhlag seo

 

An ceathrú tráinse d’ábhar Chonradh na Gaeilge eisithe.

 

Bliain dheacair agus aisteach ab ea an bhliain 2020 mar gheall ar phaindéaim Covid-19, agus cuireadh isteach go mór ar an ngnáthshaol. Ní haon ionadh é a rá, ar an drochuair, gur cuireadh isteach ar an obair leanúnach phróiseála ar bhailiúchán Chonradh na Gaeilge. Níorbh fhéidir rochtain a fháil ar na cartlanna ar feadh thréimhse 7 mí chun leanúint leis an obair dhúshlánach chatalógaithe.

Fuarthas rochtain arís ó mhí Lúnasa go Deaireadh Fómhair na bliana seo agus tá áthas orm a bheith in ann thuairisciú go bhfuil an chéad tráinse eile d'ábhar eisithe. Cúig sraith atá i gceist leis an tráinse seo: G60/3 Coistí; G60/13 Ard Fheis; G60/15 Seachtain na Gaeilge; G60/19 Nua-Litríocht, Filíocht agus Scríbhneoirí na Gaeilge agus G60/21 Ábhar a bhaineann le Ceol, Amhráin agus Rince.

Baineann sraith na gCoistí le hobair coistí agus fochoistí éagsúla de chuid Chonradh na Gaeilge agus áirítear léi an Coiste Gnó; an Coiste Airgid; Coiste na bPáistí; Coiste na Féile; an Coiste Um Bhailiú Airgid; an Fochoiste Oideachais; an Fochoiste Gaeltachta; an Fochoiste Oiliúna agus na Fochoistí Craolacháin agus Meán, agus is miontuairiscí agus comhfhreagras atá iontu den chuid is mó.

Cuimsíonn sraith na hArd Fheise ábhar a bhaineann le hArd Fheis bhliantúil Chonradh na Gaeilge. Cuimsíonn sraith Sheachtain na Gaeilge ábhar a bhaineann le féile bhliantúil Ghaeilge an Chonartha a reáchtáiltear i mí an Mhárta. Áorítear leis an dá shraith seo miontuairiscí agus comhfhreagras, aithisc thosaigh, cláir agus ábhar poiblíochta.

Áirítear leis an tsraith Nua-Litríocht, Filíocht agus Scríbhneoirí dréachtscripteanna agus aistí, beathaisnéisí agus scéalta báis, míreanna a bhaineann le comórtais agus duaiseanna, cáipéisí a bhaineann le féilte agus seoltaí leabhar agus ábhar a bhaineann le hiriseoireacht na Gaeilge.

Áirítear leis an tsraith dheiridh san eisiúint seo, Ábhar a bhaineann le Ceol, Amhráin agus Rince bileoga ceoil ginearálta, bileoga ceoil an Oireachtais, cláir, grianghraif, póstaeir agus comhfhreagras. Áirítear leis na bileoga ceoil "Go Mairidh Ár nGaedhilg Slán", ar píosa é a cumadh go speisialta don chéad Oireachtas i mBaile Átha Cliath in 1897.

Díreach faoi bhun 70 bosca atá i gceist leis an eisiúint is deireacaí seo, agus fágann sé gur 240 líon na mboscaí atá eisithe chun dáta. Tá rochtain orthu seo agus ar aon ábhar eile, áfach, faoi réir ag na srianta reatha atá i bhfeidhm ag an rialtas, ar féidir léamh fúthu anseo.

Leanfar leis an obair ar an mbailiúchán iontach seo má ligeann srianta an rialtais dúinn déanamh amhlaidh agus tá súil againn nach mbeidh tréimhse ama chomh fada sin i gceist sula bhfógrófar go bhfuil ábhar eile le heisiúint. Tuilleadh eolas anseo ar a bhfuil ar fáil.

Idir an dá linn, fanaigí slán, fanaigí sábháilte agus beirigí bua,

Niamh

English Version:

Blog 5: Fourth Tranche of Conradh na Gaeilge Material Released.

Naisc eile:

Blag 1: Cartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge - An Chéad Chéim

Blag 2: Cartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge - An Chartlann a Mheas

Blag 3: Cartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge - Chéim 2: An Chóiriú

Blag 4: Cartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge - Taispeántas Digiteach Seolta

An Taispeántas Digiteach

Fourth Tranche of Conradh na Gaeilge material released

2020 has been undoubtedly a strange and difficult year for everyone with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the worldwide heartache and disruption it has caused. It will come as no surprise therefore to state that this has also unfortunately affected the ongoing work of processing the Conradh na Gaeilge collection. Access to the archives to continue the painstaking work of cataloging the collection was not possible for a 7 month period.

From August to October of this year, access was again thankfully possible and I am happy to report that the next tranche of material has now been released. This tranche comprises of five series: G60/3 Committees; G60/13 Ard Fheis; G60/15 Seachtain na Gaeilge; G60/19 Modern Irish Language Literature, Poetry and Writers and G60/21 Music, Song and Dance Material.

The Committees Series relates to the work of various committees and subcommittees of Conradh na Gaeilge including the National Executive; Finance committee; Children's committee; Festival committee; Fundraising committee; Education subcommittee; Gaeltacht subcommittee; Training subcommittee and the Broadcasting and Media subcommittees, and consists mainly of minutes and correspondence.

The Ard Fheis series covers material relating to Conradh na Gaeilge's annual congress. The Seachtain na Gaeilge series covers material relating to Conradh's Irish language festival which takes place annually in March. Both series include minutes, correspondence, opening  addresses, programmes and promotional material.

   

The Modern Irish language Literature, Poetry and Writers series includes draft scripts and essays, biographies and obituaries, items relating to competitions and awards, documents relating to book festivals and launches and material relating to Irish language journalism.

The final series in this release, Music, Song and Dance Material, includes general sheet music, Oireachtas sheet music, programmes, photographs, posters and correspondence.

This latest release comprises of just under 70 boxes of material and brings to 240 the total number of boxes released to date. Access to these and any other material is dependent on current government restrictions however, which can be viewed here.

Government restrictions permitting, the work processing this amazing collection continues and it is hoped that news of further releases will not be as long in coming! To see what is currently available, check the archives catalogue here.

In the meantime, stay safe and take care,

Niamh 

Leagan Gaeilge

Blag 5: An ceathrú tráinse d'ábhar Chonradh na Gaeilge eisithe

Other links:

Blog 1: The Conradh na Gaeilge Archive - The First Step

Blog 2: The Conradh na Gaeilge Archive - Appraising the Archive

Blog 3: The Conradh na Gaeilge Archive - Phase 2: The Arrangement

Blog 4: Conradh na Gaeilge: Digital Exhibition Launched

Conradh na Gaeilge Digital Exhibition