We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
THE RECENTLY OPENED Grand Central Station in Belfast will soon have Irish language signage, following controversy over a lack of such signage.
In September, the new €400 million transport hub officially opened without any Irish language signage.
A few days after its official opening, around 100 Irish language campaigners staged a demonstration against the lack of Irish language signage.
Members of Irish language campaign group An Dream Dearg placed a large flag bearing the group’s logo across the floor of the station, which is the largest integrated transport hub on the island of Ireland.
Irish language activists are holding a protest at the new Belfast Grand Central Station after failure to erect dual-language signage following its opening. pic.twitter.com/3nHFnhotH7
— Andersonstown News (@ATownNews) September 12, 2024
At the official opening in September, Sinn Féin MLA and then Transport Minister John O’Dowd said he was “disappointed we haven’t reached a resolution” around Irish language signage in the transport hub.
O’Dowd said it is “important that the Irish language is visible” and that he was working with Northern Ireland’s public transport service Translink on the issue.
O’Dowd added that he was “confident that this will be successfully resolved, and we will see more visibility of the Irish language in this and other public buildings”.
Speaking following the protest in September, Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill said she was “committed” to getting Irish language signage in the transport hub.
In a statement today, current Transport Minister and Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins announced the Irish language will “soon” be included on signage and ticket machines in the station.
I am delighted to announce that the Irish language will be included on signage & ticket machines at Belfast’s Grand Central Station.
— Liz Kimmins (@LizK1988) March 24, 2025
Céim mhór chun tosaigh é seo.
The Irish language is thriving across the island, and Belfast is at the heart of that exciting and vibrant revival! pic.twitter.com/r0DeOe2XS5
She remarked that the Irish language is “thriving across the island and that Belfast is at the heart of that exciting and vibrant revival”.
She added that these changes will make the transport hub “more accessible” to Irish speakers and also promote the language to visitors from all over Ireland and the world.
Kimmins said this marks a “significant step forward by this Executive on delivering for the Irish language”.
High time but good to see nonetheless.
@ecrowley ecrowley: it’s a bog state, for a bog people.
@brian o’leary: The Bogside.
Bualadh bos. Should have been bilingual from day 1. Some unionists still needing to be dragged kicking toward equality.
@Anthony Curran: like the Israelis
@You Cant Be Serious: That’s antisemitic bro. Don’t you know that you can’t say anything negative about the genocidal maniacs or you’ll be labelled antisem…..oops, I did it again. Israeli shill pile on incoming!
@Anthony Curran: Even if they installed Scots Gaelic signage on display in Belfast some Unionists would still complain even though some of their fellow Unionist brethern are fluent Scots gallic speakers from places like Hebrides
So it should. It’s in OUR country.
@Luas Vuitton – Penneys Drag Queen: I don’t understand. Northern Ireland is not part of this country?
@peter white: as long as Ireland is an Island it forever will be.
@peter white: last time i checked it was in Ireland
@Phillip Smyth: There is no rule of law written anywhere that says an island has to be one country . Infact if history had happened differently the island of Ireland today could be broken up into more than one country . Ireland before the Norman conquest of 1169 was not one country . It was an island divided up into 5 provinces that was broken up into 150 kingdoms . The 32 counties came about between the 13th and 17th centuries. Wicklow being the last county in 1608 . The ROI that exists today is a breakaway state of the UK that form its own government and became an independent 32 county Irish nation for the first time in the history of the island of Ireland. Ireland has only ever been one nation in what is the UK today .
@Jack Moss: there was still a high king over the 5 provinces
Wount be long now until we all on the one road
@Kevin O Brien: singing the same anthem Lol.
I don’t know why but I was thinking about Ian Paisley Snr when I read this and what his reaction would be, with him being so bitter, a poison chalice.
@Phillip Smyth: oh, the irony of a multi account troll calling a political figure that’s deceased over a decade ‘ bitter & poison ‘……. Hilarious, LOL
@Buster Lawless: I’m not a troll Buster!!!!
@Phillip Smyth: but if you’re not the real Buster you are.
@Phillip Smyth: the bog people have come along way since paisley’s day.
@brian o’leary: are you taking about Londonderry or Derry, or country folk.
@Phillip Smyth: talking
@Phillip Smyth: I think he was referring to all taig’s.
@brian o’leary: ethnic slurs.
@Buster Lawless: if you are the real Buster, you accused me of this in the past and then apologized do you remember.. if you do you remember speak now or forever hold your piece, ready and cocked.
I can see the local loyalists loving the new signs. There was torture when they pulled down King Billy’s bridge that he his horse shat on..
Signs heading towards south: “Welcome to Ireland. How’s it Going?” Signs heading elsewhere ‘Welcome to Norn Ireland. What about ya!”
@Larry Betts: Signs to Dublin . What’s the story .
@Jack Moss: Lol. I had that in my original draft,but then shortened it! “Welcome to Dublin. Wats da story. Hope yiz all have a blast,see ya around”
@Larry Betts: welcome to Cork boy.
I fear no problem with whatever language it is written in. I have skills in recognising and translating many foreign languages. My skills with the usage and intricacies of many different tongues have often led to me being lauded as an expert cunning linguist.
@Larry Betts: Maith a Fir.
I was up North last week…… Must say it’s a fantastic station, very well laid out.
Hope it is in English for us southerners.
@Sammydavissenior.: You mean Jackeens?
@Gaelactico: Jackeens & Bog warriors.
No point in having Irish luangage in a foreign country like the North its the UK and they live under the king.
@Rian O’Sullivan: it’s the island of Ireland separated, thank god we are surrounded by water like Trump said to Zelenskyy there is an ocean between us.
@Rian O’Sullivan:At least the ‘luangage’ they speak is different from the language our High Kings of Tara spoke. From the Royal county of Meath.
@Rian O’Sullivan: Rian ‘Traitor’ O Sullivan.
Tá sé in am don Ghaeilge sa tsaol oifigiúil agus gnó i dtuaisceart Éireann! Maith sibh!
as long as it does get compulsory people should have a choice.
Not sure many youngsters really care about having it in Irish too, it’s not spoken or understood by most even my age. But if it keeps the peace stick it up
@Derek O Gorman: Speak for yourself. Ní thuigeann tú.
” North of Ireland ” … one day , Ireland will be whole again . If our Orange brethren don’t like the idea , they’ll get used to it eventually.
Republic of Ireland citizens are trying to get exemptions from Irish in schools
If you have to do something you rebel against it ,if you don’t have something you rebel to get,human nature
I hope some of the locals don’t head to the nearby Indian restaurant and ask them to “curry my yoghurt”.
have your say