12: 1995 to 1996

Despite the difficulty in recruiting new members to the Association we made progress on many sides during the years approaching the new millenium.

1995 : 31 pieces on Esperanto appeared in the press.  Among them was a sound article under “Times Past” in The Irish Times; a letter from Maire Mullarney in The Irish Times and articles in the Tullamore Tribune, Leinster Express, etc.  The free basic correspondence course was announced in several local and national papers.

Our bi-monthly bulletin Nova Irlanda Esperantisto (New Irish Esperantist) appeared regularly.

Somhairle McKay studied tourism with Monda Turismo (World Tourism) in Poland kaj and on three occasions lead a group of Polish visitors to Ireland   Esperantists from France, Italy, Croatia and Poland also visited Dublin.

Three Irish Esperantists took part in the Scottish Esperanto Congress and in the Autumn Study Circle in Dunblane.

Information about Esperanto was sent to all Irish memebrs of the European Parliament.  Some replied favourably.

The Gaelic language book “Pleanáil Teanga in Éirinn 1919” (Language Planning in Ireland 1919) by Girvan McKay was published.

The local radio station in Dublin interviewed Daithi Ó hEalaithe about Esperanto and the Action Day 7th October.

1996 : Although our attempts to introduce Esperanto into two Dublin schools under the framework for a transition year was not successful, other actvities were more successful:

The continuing compaign to inform MEPs had goodf results. The procentage of Irish members who support Esperanto is higher than in any other EU country.

We corresponded with Jacques Santer, President of the European Commission, who wrote:

 “I wish to emphasise that the Commission fully understands the arguments in favour of Esperanto as a universal means of communication.  I wish to emphasise that the Commission understands the ideals which lie at the heart of Esperanto. 

In reality it must be remembered that European integration aims to ensure peace and respect for the cultural identity of all European cizitens.   This makes it clear why the European Union and its institutions always emphasise the equal status of its 11 official languages instead of limiting itself to one or more languages. 

This choice of diversity does result in some difficulties like translation, but it expresses our promise to strengthen all our cultures instead of reducing our differences.

Once again, this does not mean that we do not appreciate the efforts of those who promote Esperanto“.

In March International Esperanto Youth Week took place in Connemara with financial support from the Council of Europe.  Young esperantists from nine countries took part in the conference..

Maire Mullarney lectured on ‘Gender in Esperanto’ during the International Language Awareness Conference in Dublin University.

Girvan McKay was elected President of the Astronomical Societoy in Tullamore. 

The Dublin Esperanto Group met on the third Thursday of the month in the Royal Dublin Hotel, O’Connell Street. 

Chapter 13: End of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st.

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