Mayor of Limerick City and County, Cllr Liam Galvin met with children from Gaelscoil Sairseal this week to welcome the handover of the baton for the relay run, Rith 2016.
Rith is a relay run which takes place throughout the 32 counties of Ireland during Seachtain na Gaeilge (1st-17th March) and inspires local communities to promote the Irish language in an athletic, lively and different manner.
A different group takes ownership of each kilometre of the run with a special baton which they will pass on to the next group.
The Limerick leg of the Rith 2016 saw pupils from Gaelscoil Sairseal jog around the city with a garda escort, their aim was to awaken and strengthen interest and pride in the Irish language in Limerick. In 2016 the Rith will visit the 32 counties of Ireland as part of the 2016 Commemoration.
The revival of the Irish language was a hugely important part of the Easter Rising in 1916 and the aim is to promote the Irish Language in this important year to celebrate that. Rith is organised locally with a local co-ordinator in each town.
Various groups take part including youth clubs, sports clubs, community groups, families and students from primary schools, secondary schools and third level.
Rith Teoranta is in charge of organising the Rith and Conradh na Gaeilge and Glor na nGael provide support and assistance.
The pupils from Gaelscoil Sairseal are pictured with their teacher, Katie Ni Dhubhlaing, the Mayor of Limerick Cllr Liam Galvin and 1916 co-ordinators from Limerick City and County Council, Damien Brady and Tony Storan.
