Gaeltacht Quarter

The Joint West Belfast/Greater Shankill Task Force Report recommended that a Gaeltacht Quarter be developed and a Development Board be established to oversee delivery. The quarter has been defined as a corridor connecting Belfast City Centre to Andersonstown.

The aim of the Quarter is to secure wealth creation by maximising the economic opportunities provided by a growing cluster of Irish Language and cultural based enterprises and activities which additionally have significant tourist potential.

DCAL sponsored a bid on behalf of the Gaeltacht Quarter to the Integrated Development Fund for a lead-in capital development at Cultúrlann on the Falls Road, Belfast and to provide a secretariat and business/marketing plan for the Gaeltacht Quarter Board.

Community and business representatives have set up a limited company known as An Ceathrú Gaeltachta Teo. This organisation will act as employer to the staff and will develop a business and marketing plan for the Gaeltacht Quarter.

An Ceathrú Gaeltachta Teo will be complemented by a Steering Group which will comprise representatives from central government, local government, public services in the area and local community and business interests. The Steering Group will provide a channel of communication between the organisations represented on it and An Ceathrú Gaeltachta Teo and will facilitate the emergence of a coordinated strategic approach to the development of the Gaeltacht Quarter.

It is hoped that An Ceathrú Gaeltachta Teo will be open for business in April 2007