Foras na Gaeilge announced today (20th November) that they are to award the contract to provide a new weekly Irish language newspaper to Torann na dTonn Teoranta. Torann na dTonn Teoranta is a partnership between The Connacht Tribune of Galway city and Eo Teilifís a television production company based in An Spidéal, Co Galway. 

The directors are Máire Ní Thuathail and David Hickey.  There were a total of eight applicants competing for this contract. Foras na Gaeilge is awarding the four year contract which will run from January 2010 to December 2013 to Torann na dTonn Teoranta.  The contract is worth €1.6 million. 

Gaelscéal will be the title of the new 32-page, full colour, newspaper which will cover everything from current affairs to sport to arts and the first edition will be available early in the new year.

The Connacht Tribune have over 100 years of experience in newspaper publishing and Eo Teilifís have 20 years of experience in broadcast journalism.

“The objective of this public competition was to provide the Irish speaking community with a comprehensive, standalone Irish language newspaper.  The standard of applicants was extremely high and it was obvious that a lot of work went into each application. We’re delighted to be offering this contract to Torann na dTonn Teoranta who have so many years of experience in the media in Ireland.  I look forward to reading the first edition of the newspaper early in the New Year,” says Ferdie Mac an Fhailigh, CEO of Foras na Gaeilge.

Gaelscéal’s offices will be based in the Connemara Gaeltacht where 5 staff will be employed full time with regular contributions from columnists all over the country.  The newspaper will be available in shops every Friday at €1.65/£1.50.  It will also be available online and as well as being available on subscription.  Gaelscéal has a sales target of 6,000 in its first year. “

A new Irish language newspaper will add to the infrastructure of the Irish language media in Ireland,” says Máire Ní Thuathail of Torann na dTonn Teoranta. 

“The Irish language media play a crucial role in making sure the language remains relevant and we’re really looking forward to providing an exciting new newspaper for the Irish speaking community,” she said.