Glor Uachtar Tire Annual Report & Statement of Accounts For the Year to 30th September 2024
Annual Report for the year ended September 30" 2024 The trustees of Irish language community group, Glor Uachtar Tlre, are pleased to submit their report and accounts for the period I" October 2023 to September 30th 2024. Achlevements and Performance The Year in Numbers 31- Years promoting the use and learning of Irish in the locality Management Committee meetings 2,600- Members of the public serrfed 2 - Guest Speakers Meeting Programme Glor Uachtar Tire's Management Committee meets every six weeks throughout the year with the exception of July and August. A number of extra Intra-committee meetings were held which focused on specific events such as plans to develop an Irish language community centre in Castlewellan. Events, Programmes and Activities Weekly activities: Rangannallrish Language Classes: 10 classes per week from Beginners to A2-Level run in cooperation with Comhalta5 Ceoltoiri Éireann, Shimna Integrated College, Newcastle, St Malachy's High School, Castlewellan and St Colman'5 College, Newry. Approximately 80 people of all ages attend these classes. These classes are supported by funding provided by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. The majority of classes were undertaken via face to face format with the exception of GCSE Year l and Year2 which are held on-line plus A2-Level (between Oct'23 and June '24) which is a hybrid class. meaning it caters for on-line and face to face students. Club Oige/Youth Club (10-16 years): 25 children registered and approximately 15 attend weekly. Supported by the Education Authority, Foras na Gaeilge. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Forum na nog. This is one of the main opportunities the young Irish language speakers have to socialise through the medium of Irish outside the school environment. Mion-chlub Oige/Minl Youth Club". Caters for children in Rang/ P4 to Rang/P6. It proves very popular with 23 children registered and with weekly attendance up to 18 young people. The club receives Foras na Gaeilge, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and EA funding and is SUPPOrted by Forum na nog.
Grupa( Tuismitheoiri is Tachrain/Parent and Toddler Group: Bryansford group lapprox. 35 parents & carers are registered and around 18 parents/carers and 20 children attend weekly). The group is open to everyone and it is a door to young parents to consider Irish language education and bilingualism as an option for their children. Ciorcal Comhra/Conversation Circle lapprox. 15 people attend weekly mostly aged 55 years plus). Attendance remains Stable. Ciorcal Comhra fa choinne Foghlaimeoiri/ Beginners Conversation: It has two sessions per week; one in the evening time and one in the morning time. Both sessions are attended by approximately 8110 people. Many of this group went on to obtain Silber Fainne/lntermediate-level Irish recognition. Cumann Leabhair/ Book club lapprox. 7 people attend weekly, mostly aged 55 years plus. The group meets up in Castlewellan Library each Tuesday morning and the library helps the group to source the Irish language book5. Cumann Siuloide Seachtainiuil/Easy Weekly Walklng Group {approximately 6 people attend weekly, all ages.) The numbers for this group remain stable. Raidio an Phobail/Community Radio Ststion: GUT ran a series of training workshops for radio production skills throughout 2023. In September 2023 the group began to record weekly podcasts. This continued throughout 2024 and two launches celebrated the sets of Series uploaded. Funding was obtained to continue this project from the Arts Council Nl, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Ultach Trust/Community Foundation. In 2023 GUT was 8iven a licence and funding to run Galsce/ The President's Award from The Duke of Edinburgh organisation. GUT an a serie5 of events between March -june 2024 to attract local uyoujng people to the programme. These evets were funded by the Ciste Spreagtha fund. There are currently 6 young people who are about to embark on the Gaisce programme with GUT. Monthly Artivities Seal a8 Canadh/Castlewellan Rhyme Time Session for 0-4 year olds: Run in co-operation with Castlewellan Public Library. Approx. 25 people attend between toddlers and parents. Thi5 event has received funding from The National Lottery Fund and now runs monthly in both Castlewellan and Newcastle library. Am Scéil/Story Time session for 4-8 year olds: Run in co-operation with Castlewellan Public Library. Approx. 7 people attend between children and parents. This event ha5 received funding from The National Lottery Fund. Seisiun Amhranalochta/Slnglng Sesslon: Approximately 8-10 people meet once a month in Mulholand's Bar, Castlewellan. Funding has been obtained from The National Lottery Fund to run this event. Siul agus Spealpadh/Boots n, Banter: Monthly moderate hillwalking group. This walk is directed by professional gardener who talks about the local plant life, In addition, the Mountain Leader is very knowledgeable in local p13cenames and Mythology which he bris to the walk. The group has 11 members and was launched in July 2024. It's funded by Newry. Mourne and Down District Council and Alpkit.
Seasonal Activities: Dianchursai/lntensive Courses: 2 times per year. All ages. approximately 40 people attend. These classes are supported by funding provided by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Each Dianchursa held 4 levels; Advanced, Upper Intermediate, Lower Intermediate and Beginners. NuachtlitirlNewsletter: Printed and distributed once every season/12 weeks. Copies also emailed to all 760on GUTS email list. Annual Events: Planning Day- Focusing on language planning for the locality. Sub-committee met in February this year and eight people attended. Dinnéar na Nollaglchristmas Dinner 2023: This event was attended by 18 people. It was celebrated by GUT'S committee members and volunteers and those who participate in GUT events. was a great success. Seachtain na Gaeilge/irlsh Language Week: GUT ran a drumming workshop at the Youth Club and the film Clouded Reveries was shown in Newcastle Community Cinema. Scoil Samhraidh Shéamuis Ui Néill/Séamus O'Neill Summer School: Literary Festival. This July the festival included; a Festival Concert, Intensive Irish Language Course, Irish Language Rhyme Time Session, Irish Language Story Time, Festival InteieW with three Irish language film Directors, nature walk focusing on birds, launch of challenging monthly walking group and launch of series two of podcast, . Scéim Samhraidh/Summer Scheme: A week-long activity-based summer scheme for local primary school children. 114 children attended this popular weekend long scheme which was funded by Foras na Gaeilge and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Uachtar an Uachtar Icrème de le Creme] Residential immersion, Intensive course for Irish language A-Level students. The event was attended by 20 people from all over Nl. It was funded by 4 local Housing Associations {Clanmill, Arbour Housing, Raduis Housing and Ark Housing) and Foras na Gaeilge. Aclai Abu!/[Sports Forever]: three day outdoor pursuits event for primary school children attending the 4 Irish language Primary Schoo15 in Co Down. The event was held in May 2024. It wa5 attended by 26 children. It was funded by Foras na Gaeilge and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Membershlp th On September 30 2024 membership of GUT'S emailing list was 840. In Sept 203 is was 760.
Accommodation GUT'S office was based in Room No 8 in Dun Éigsenhe Lodge, Castlewellan until May 2024. In June 2024 GUT moved its office into a temporary accommodation in a mobile beside Castlewellan Community Hall. GUT purchased a building, 29 Main St & 2-4 Castle Ave, Castlewe113n with funding from An Ciste Infheislochta and The Community Ownership Fund. The group is currently working to raise funds to refurbish the premises in order to develop an Irish language community centre in Castlewellan. Assets and Liabilities Ih On February 29 2024 Glor UachtarTire purchased a building for £210,000 (plus £42,000 VAT). The building, 29 Main Street and 2-4 Castle Avenue, Ca5tlewellan, is currently awaiting refurbishment and it is insured under the status of a vacant building. Financial Review Financial Performance th Financial performance in the year to 30 November 2023 has been broadly consistent with the trustee's forecasts and expectations. Income £216,517 Expenditure £112,909 Reference and Administrative Details Charlty Name Glor Uachtar Tire Charity Number Registered Charity in Northern Ireland NIC102681 Princlpal Address 2-4 Castle Ave Castlewellan
Co Down, BT319DX th Charity Trustees as of 30 September 2024 Wayne Pickering- Chairman Blaine Mccartney- Secretary Aodhan Mac Ruairi - Treasurer Aine Mccrickard - Senior Youth Officer Frainc Mac Cionn3ith- Language Planning OfFicer Mary MAnulty- Line Manager Nial Sadler- Family Representative Structure, Governance, and Management Governlng Document and Constitution The Society is a charity and is governed by a constitution adopted January 2011 and last amended September 15th 2022 and on March 9th 2023; this is publicly available at from GUT'S office. The Society is run entirely by its directors who meet every 6 weeks to manage it. The group employs an Irish Language Development Officer for 37 hours per week. In addition, the group employs two Senior Youth Officers for 4 hours per week and 6 tutors, along with a team of three to manage the Parent and Toddler Group. The group has approximately 25 local people who very generously volunteer for the organisation when required. Trustee Selectlon and Management The directors of the Management Committee are adopted solely on the basis of a vote at the groups. AGM as outlined in Glor Uachtar Tire's constitution. Objectives and Artivities Charitable Objects The object of GUT as set out in our Constitution is the following Glor Uachtar Tire is a Community Association which was established to promote for the benefit of the inhabitants, area and its immediate environs without distinction of age, sex, race, political or other opinions, by associating with statutory authorities, voluntary organisations, institutions, business and inhabitants in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare, health, recreation and leisure activities, with the objective of improving conditions of life for the inhabita nt5.
In particular, Glor Uachtar Tire works to nurture an Irish language community in Uachtar Tlre {Castlewellan and its environs, the 'area of benefit,), The charity will undertake all legal actions to achieve this and anything that the directors deem beneficial to this aim. Publlc Beneflt Statement The trustees of Glor Uachtar Tire confirm that they have had regard to the Nl Charity Commission's Public benefit requirement statutory guidance. th The public benefit requirement has informed the activities of GUT in the year to 30 September 2024. In evaluating public benefit, the trustees note that membership of the society is open to all who share an interest in the Irish language. Whilst we would encourage those with interest to join our rank5 we also strive to make our sepdices and facilities available to those with no back ground in Irish. The direct benefits which flow from our object or purpose includes increasing the opportunity for locals to either learn the Irish language or to attend social events at which they can Speak it. The participants can either attend subsidised classes or they can enjoy lectures, social nights and finally they can participate by supporting Glor UachtarTire in orEanising these events. These benefits are demonstrated by the growing class sizes that Glor Uachtar Tire experiences year on year and the trend for the class sizes to be maintained throughout the year. Additionally, the benefits are demonstrated through feedback Glor Uachtar Tire receives in our event feedback forms from participants and beneficiaries and by the level of uptake of our activities. The purposes of our charity will not lead to any harm. Glor Uachtar Tire's beneficiaries includes the general population living within south east Down including Newcastle, Castlewellan, Dundrum, Clough, Hilltown, Rathriland, Ballyward and the surrounding areas. A private benefit to trustees may arise from our programme of ongoing training programmes. Through this training trustees may gain skills and experience which are transferable to other settings. These benefits are incidental and necessary to ensure the benefit is provided to our beneficiarie5. Approved, adopted and signed on behalf of the Management Committee. Chairman, th Wayne Pickering, 30 September, 2024
Glor Uachtar Tire Receipts & Payments Account For the year ended th 30 November 2023
Glor Uachtar Tire Independent Examlner's Report to the Trustees of Glor Uachtar Tire Year ended 30 November 2023 I report on the financ181 statements for the year ended 30 November 2023, which comprise the statement of financial activities, statement of financial position and the related notes. Respectlve responslbllltles of trustees and examiner As the charty's trustees you are responsible for the preparalion of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act. to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9){b) of the Charities Act: and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's report I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65{9)(b) of the Charities Act. The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees Concerning any such matters. My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe- That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act That there is further information needed for a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Independent examlnerfs statement I have completed my examination and have no concems in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention. Niall Farrell FCA Farrell Accountants Limited Chartered accountants 16 Upper Square Castlewellan Co Down BT319DD
Gloruachtar Ylrn The thd Dublln Road tasEl¢wellan Co. Down ftECEiwf5& PAYMENT5 ACCOVMtFOR THEYEAR TO 30th OVEM¥ER2023 Llnvestwkted REstrlcted Op•nlth8 C•$h •1 8•nk No IIIAccvunt Ntsl2lA£count 3,111 972 3,111 972 4,083 Add RK41 Foras N G3ell8e t4ew PropertyGrants Rural Community Network cw El BeWè# fteElon Funding 46,91? 117,500 70) 46,917 117.5(¥) 700 854 1,600 55 5.Sth) 5.000 6.300 NÈwry Council ACNI Lottery Grant Nals¢oll Loan Aepayment Classes & Events Otherftecelpts 18,338 6,4B9 5.725 1,594 24.C3 8.083 24.827 191,690 216,517 Lesspa ents.. Wa8es. PAYE. Penslon pbyrnt5TraVèl1lnE TeathlnE Belt& Rat IntenswetoursE Costs Sumrner S¢hemE Youthaub Mother & TthJdler5 VarKyJs Workshops & Events Inwran¢e Repairs. Malntenance & Equlpmeni Prltin& Postage & StstiDnpry Ad¥ertlsln8 TephOne Bankchèrges Educaiwn AuthDrity Nalsfoll lTh Sundry Expenses ConsulLanc¥ Fees A(¢ount8ncy 42.763 5,715 5.302 42.763 10,570 5,302 4,845 12,643 363 4,279 3,536 1750 5.773 15,Y93 6.136 7.279 3.535 i.ios 1332 692 1,130 1,324 20 1,841 I.IL4 2.690 3,754 1,224 i.iL 1.332 692 1.130 1.324 20 1,841 1,114 466 2,224 3,754 1.224 27,751 79,940 107,691 UoslniCa5hat Bank 1.159 111,750 112.909 Made u as lo41¢5.. NolllAccDunt Nol21 Account 165 994 104,750 104,915 7.994 1,159 111.750 112.9CIJ 0311012024 W¥yhePt¢kerll* Tru51ee&thalrper50h