Feature photo shows Gaeltacht CC founder, Pádraic Quinn, and Operations Manager, Jade Lydon holding their banner
A new Gaeltacht-based cycling initiative has been launched, with the dual purpose of driving participation in the sport and developing gravel bike routes. Gaeltacht.cc aims not just to provide a club for Gaeltacht-based cyclists and multisport athletes, but will also work towards developing outdoor recreation infrastructure in Gaeltacht areas. Former pro cyclist and owner of the Velotec clothing brand, Pádraic Quinn, is behind the project.“Gaeltacht areas have a common denominator in language but are spread across seven counties mostly along the west coast,” said Quinn. “We see huge value in bringing cyclists throughout the Gaeltacht together under a single club and brand while respecting existing clubs that already thrive in individual Gaeltacht regions.” The project has already begun to work with different stakeholders with the aim of creating a world-class gravel bike network in the Connemara Gaeltacht. “We’ve begun to work with local community development organisations, social employment schemes and Údarás na Gaeltachta in coordinating an expansive new gravel bike network based on existing bog roads,” said Gaeltacht.cc’s Operations Manager, Jade Lydon. “A great example is the work carried out by work schemes in Seanamhach in Casla, which we have identified as a central hub from which to expand.”In keeping with its Gaeltacht identity, the club is being sponsored by TG4, Údarás na Gaeltachta and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, and is already involved in organising events, despite just being launched.Having just confirmed that Gaeltacht.cc will host the Connacht Cyclocross Championships this December, the project has already been involved in a pan-Gaeltacht cycling project encouraging families and new cyclists to get out as part of Bike Week. This past week saw Gaeltacht-based cyclists from Donegal to Cork participate in the virtual Rothaí Gaeltachta challenge, run in conjunction with Gaeltacht Language Planning Officers. “The Rothaí Gaeltachta challenge speaks volumes to what we’re looking to achieve,” said Pádraic Quinn, who is also Cycling Ireland’s Connacht Youth Development Officer. “It’s a way of getting young and old onto bikes, and to make a fun and healthy pastime accessible to all.”
More information on Gaeltacht.cc can be found at www.gaeltacht.cc and on social media.
Further Information: Jade Lydon, Operations Manager *eolas@gaeltacht.cc*
Seoladh tionscnamh rothaíochta nua atá bunaithe sa Ghaeltacht, agus é mar chuspóir dé aige rannpháirtíocht sa spórt a spreagadh agus bealaí rothar gairbhéil a fhorbairt. Tá sé mar aidhm ag Gaeltacht.cc ní amháin club a sholáthar do rothaithe atá lonnaithe sa Ghaeilge agus lúthchleasaithe il-spóirt, ach oibreoidh sé freisin i dtreo bonneagar áineasa lasmuigh a fhorbairt i gceantair Gaeltachta.
Tá iar-rothaí agus úinéir an bhranda éadaí Velotec, Pádraic Quinn, taobh thiar den tionscadal. “Tá comh-ainmneoir teanga ag ceantair na Gaeltachta ach tá siad scaipthe ar fud seacht gcontae feadh an chósta thiar den chuid is mó,” a dúirt Quinn. “Feicimid luach ollmhór as rothaithe ar fud na Gaeltachta a thabhairt le chéile faoi chlub agus branda aonair agus meas againn ar chlubanna atá ann cheana féin a bhfuil rath orthu cheana féin i réigiúin aonair Gaeltachta.” Tá tús curtha cheana féin leis an tionscadal ag obair le páirtithe leasmhara éagsúla agus é mar aidhm líonra rothar gairbhéil den scoth a chruthú i nGaeltacht Chonamara. “Táimid tar éis tosú ag obair le heagraíochtaí forbartha pobail áitiúla, le scéimeanna fostaíochta sóisialta agus le Údarás na Gaeltachta chun líonra leathan rothar gairbhéil a chomhordú bunaithe ar na bóithre portaigh atá ann cheana,” a dúirt Bainisteoir Oibríochtaí Gaeltacht.cc, Jade Lydon. “Sampla iontach is ea an obair a dhéanann scéimeanna oibre i Seanims i gCasla, atá aitheanta againn mar mhol lárnach le leathnú uaidh.” Ag teacht lena fhéiniúlacht Gaeltachta, tá an club á urrú ag TG4, Údarás na Gaeltachta agus RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, agus tá baint aige cheana le himeachtaí a eagrú, in ainneoin gur seoladh díreach é. Agus mé díreach tar éis a dhearbhú go mbeidh Gaeltacht.cc ina óstach do Chraobhchomórtais Cyclocross Chonnacht i mí na Nollag seo, bhí baint ag an tionscadal cheana féin le tionscadal rothaíochta pan-Gaeltachta ag spreagadh teaghlaigh agus rothaithe nua chun dul amach mar chuid de Sheachtain na Rothar. An tseachtain seo a chuaigh thart ghlac rothaithe atá lonnaithe i nGaeltacht ó Dhún na nGall go Corcaigh páirt sa dúshlán fíorúil Rothaí Gaeltachta, a reáchtáladh i gcomhar le hOifigigh Pleanála Teanga na Gaeltachta.
“Labhraíonn dúshlán Rothaí Gaeltachta méideanna leis an méid atáimid ag iarraidh a bhaint amach,” a dúirt Pádraic Quinn, atá ina Oifigeach Forbartha Óige Chonnacht Rothaíocht na hÉireann freisin. “Is bealach é chun óg agus aosta a chur ar rothair, agus caitheamh aimsire spraíúil folláin a dhéanamh inrochtana do chách.”
Is féidir tuilleadh faisnéise faoi Gaeltacht.cc a fháil ag www.gaeltacht.cc agus ar na meáin shóisialta.
Tuilleadh Eolais: Jade Lydon, Bainisteoir Oibríochtaí eolas@gaeltacht.cc
