POBAL facts for kids

POBAL was an important group that supported the Irish language in Northern Ireland. It was like a main hub for many smaller groups working to promote Irish.

POBAL started in 1998 and worked for many years until it closed in 2019. It aimed to help the Irish language grow and be used more often in daily life.

What POBAL Did

POBAL worked to help the Irish language movement in Northern Ireland. An "umbrella organisation" means it brought together many different groups that all had the same goal. Their main goal was to support and promote the Irish language.

Campaigning for an Irish Language Act

One of POBAL's biggest goals was to get an Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland. This act would be a special law. It would protect and promote the Irish language, similar to laws already in place for languages in other countries.

For example, there are language acts in the Republic of Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. These laws help make sure that the language is used in government, education, and public services. POBAL believed a similar law was needed for Irish in Northern Ireland.

How POBAL Was Funded

POBAL received money from different places to do its work. The UK Department for Social Development helped fund the organisation. Belfast City Council also provided money to support POBAL's activities.

For a time, POBAL also received funding from Foras na Gaeilge. This is an organisation that promotes the Irish language across the whole island of Ireland. POBAL received their support until 2014.

POBAL as a Charity

POBAL was officially registered as a charity. This meant it was a non-profit organisation. It worked for the public good, focusing on its mission to support the Irish language. The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland oversaw its charity status.

Janet Muller was the director of POBAL. She led the organisation in its efforts to promote the Irish language.