Irish language protest held at new transport hub

Irish language campaigners have staged a protest at Belfast's new Grand Central Station after the transport hub was opened without Irish language signage.

Around 100 protesters took part, with a large flag bearing the logo of the campaign group, An Dream Dearg, draped across the station’s floor.

Dr Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh, a spokesperson for the organisation, says they have been liaising with Translink and the Department for Infrastructure for several years on the issue.

Translink has defended its approach, saying Irish language signs will be added in the station as the development progresses.

'An entire community excluded'

"Translink hasn’t listened to us or a motion from Belfast City Council—we are saying John O Dowd has to intervene," said Dr Ó Tiarnaigh.

"Our confidence in Translink to change this is very low at the minute.

"We need ministerial direction for Translink to do this. We have had two years of trying to get this over the line, and it’s now opened.

"We are right on the foot of the Gaeltacht community here, and that entire community has been excluded."

A spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure said: “Minister O’Dowd is committed to the visibility and promotion of Irish language across public services and in our society.

"He is continuing to engage with Translink in relation to Irish language signage at Grand Central Station and is confident that the matter can be resolved.”

Grand Central Station opened to the public on Sunday.

The £340m public transport hub has been built behind the previous bus and rail stations serving Belfast.

Translink have defended their approach saying there is an Irish language welcome sign, and that more signs in Irish will be installed.

Translink has defended its approach and says Irish will appear in the station as more signage is added.

In a statement, the company says it is looking forward to working with the Irish and Ulster Scots language commissioners when they are appointed by Stormont.

It added that it is "continuing to work closely with local communities to ensure that all aspects of the area’s diverse culture are recognised and highlighted as part of the ongoing arts and heritage programme."

Translink also says Irish is used as part of the multilingual welcome signage that is already in place at the station.