Rosslare Municipal District
Yola Language Heritage Project
Timeframe: January-October 2025
Fee: €6,000 with another €2,000 for events, materials and travel (€8,000 in total)
The Commission
Creative Ireland Wexford, Rosslare Municipal District and the Heritage Office at Wexford County Council welcome proposals from artists and creatives of any discipline who have experience working with communities for a cultural and creative interpretation that raises awareness and knowledge of the Yola language in the Rosslare area.
Proposals should outline plans for the delivery of a project that drives the cultural transmission of the Yola language and its heritage. The project must have long-lasting impact and legacies and ensure that the knowledge of the Yola language and heritage is preserved and developed.
Proposals should be written with the following outcomes in mind:
- Connecting the people of Forth and Bargy with the language and heritage of Yola;
- Developing an interest and pride in the heritage of the Yola language and heritage amongst Forth and Bargy communities;
- Promoting the Yola language and heritage to the general public.
Consideration will only be given to proposals that:
- Drive the cultural transmission of the Yola language and heritage;
- Demonstrate high levels of creativity;
- Enable communities to be actively involved.
The successful project will link to the strategic visions of Creative Ireland Wexford, Rosslare Municipal District and the Heritage Office at Wexford County Council.
As well as leading and delivering the creative outcomes of the project, artists will be expected to project manage. Some limited support will be available from the Creative Communities Engagement Officer, the Rosslare Municipal District and the Heritage Office
The Yola Language
Yola is an extinct form of English that was once spoken in County Wexford. It is thought to have evolved from dialect of the Anglo-Norman settlers who came to Wexford in the aftermath of the invasions of 1169-70. Yola, meaning ‘old’ was a mixture of Middle English, French, Flemish and Irish. Yola was not unique to Co. Wexford - the dialect is recorded as Fingallian in north Co. Dublin and elements of Yola are preserved in placenames throughout the Pale in counties Kildare, Louth, and Meath.
The uniqueness of Yola in south Co. Wexford is that it survived for so long when modern English and Irish were being spoken all around. In the early 19th century Jacob Poole, who was resident of Growtown, Taghmon, collected words and phrases of Yola and this became known as Poole’s Glossary.
To apply
Please send a written proposal of no more than three pages to elizabeth.howard@wexfordcoco.ie by Sunday 26th January 2024. The proposal must detail:
- Your objectives, methods and outputs for how your project will drive the cultural transmission of the Yola language and its heritage;
- Your plans for community engagement;
- How your project meets Wexford’s Creative and Cultural Strategy
- The short and long term impacts your project will have.
A CV must be included as well as pictures and/or other examples of your previous work.
Funding is provided for this commission under the proviso that the work carried out is inclusive and promotes diversity.
If you have any access issues when applying for this commission please contact elizabeth.howard@wexfordcoco.ie who can assist you with other options. Hand written copies may be accepted following communication with elizabeth.howard@wexfordcoco.ie