https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgj59v8g555o

Irish language campaigners had criticised the lack of Irish language signs when the station opened in September

Brendan Hughes

BBC News NI political reporter

Irish language signage is to be installed later this year at Belfast's Grand Central Station, Stormont's infrastructure minister has said.

Liz Kimmins said the bilingual displays would include passenger information and signage on ticket vending machines.

The move follows criticism from Irish language campaigners when the new public transport hub opened in September.

Translink had defended its handling of the issue, saying that Irish was among the languages used on "multi-lingual welcome signage".

It had said discussions were ongoing about signage with interest groups and political parties.

Kimmins announced her decision in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins announced her decision in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday

The minister said she was "committed to the visibility and promotion of Irish language" and it was important that Grand Central Station was "reflective of all citizens".

"I have therefore taken the decision to install bilingual signage at Belfast Grand Central Station and on all Translink's ticket vending machines," she said.

Kimmins said the bilingual signage would include "way-finding" signage, passenger information, safety notices and customer service signs.

The Sinn Féin minister said the signage would be "installed later this year".

A Translink spokesperson said design work to progress additional use of Irish on physical signage and on ticket vending machines will now commence following the announcement by Department for Infrastructure (DfI).

"This is an extension of the multi-lingual welcome signage which is already in place at the station."

TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said the minister was "abusing her position to fire cultural bullets"

Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) assembly member Timothy Gaston was critical of the decision.

Speaking in the assembly, he asked if the minister was "abusing her position to fire cultural bullets" in a "loyalist heartland of Belfast".

Kimmins said the Irish language "is for everyone" and "it's nothing to fear".

She said she was "committed to delivering equality for everyone".

by spectacle-ar_failure

9 comments

  1. Nice to see Gollum’s little 1 man band henchman showing concern for his constituency, much like his predecessor..

  3. The fact they were not already up is disgraceful. Irish is the indigenous language of our island and should be treated with respect.

  4. The likes of Timothy Gaston are the people holding this place back and creating divisions. The Irish language is for all.

    Coming out with shite like “the loyalist heartland of Belfast” is pure marking of territory. Wise up. Everyone should be welcome everywhere.

  6. I wouldn’t want to see Irish language signs put up in areas where it’s not wanted, and I’m not from Belfast so pardon the ignorance, but is the central station in a loyalist heartland?

  8. Loyalist heartland lol. You’d think this station was in the middle of sandy row to listen to that header Gaston. And not between sandy row and the Grosvenor road, which is the case.

  9. Lmao, one Dia Duit beside Bonjour and Aloha, and that’s that for all the Irish signage for a train station in Ireland. Surprised no dopey cunt has demanded that the bilingual signs include Ulster Scots too.

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