DUP man says he would oppose Irish language signs at Royal Victoria Hospital

During a Belfast council debate on signage for the Gaeltacht Quarter, DUP Alderman Brian Kingston said he would oppose the Irish language being displayed at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

He said it “is a bit of a generous use of the term by Irish language enthusiasts, to say it is an area that is primarily Irish speaking”.

At the Strategic Policy and Resources committee, councillors agreed to City Hall officers participating in a working group established by Irish language development agency Forbairt Feirste, to look at the development of a signage scheme for the Gaeltacht Quarter. 

The working group will include Forbairt Feirste, Stormont’s Department for Infrastructure, Tourism NI and Belfast City Council. 

DUP Alderman Brian Kingston agreed to the working group, however he said “the Gaeltacht area is meant to be an area which was primarily Irish speaking, and I wonder if that would stand up to examination”.

He added: “We must bear in mind for those that want to increase the visibility of Irish language that this is a matter relating to identity and there are many people in our city for whom it does not make them feel comfortable.

“My main concern is the extent of the territory for which this is proposed. This point was made before in council. It includes the Royal Victoria Hospital, which is the major trauma for the city and wider region.

“When you go to the RVH there are enough signs to try and make sense of without having everything somehow in duplicate. It is important that it is a welcoming location for all.

“I cannot agree to the boundary of this scheme. I appreciate this is a proposal, but I would ask these concerns to be borne in mind, particularly around that part of the Springfield Road and also the Royal Victoria Hospital.”

The proposal by Forbairt Feirste suggests welcome signage on the main thoroughfares into the quarter, and directional signage for tourists and residents that cover the main buildings and natural places of interest.

Alliance Councillor Michael Long said: “We are simply asking people to be on a committee here to look at the particular issues of signage. This area has been designated as an area promoting the Irish language. Signage if it is promoted is something that could be useful for tourism.”