Young unionists have branded a new campaign for Irish dual-language signage at Queen’s University Belfast a “cultural passion project”, saying any money available should go to providing free period products across campus.
They hit out at organisers saying “there had been no effort to engage with unionist societies” and that the “initiative has effectively been sprung on us” in a statement posted on social media on Wednesday.
The Irish language and Queen’s University have a chequered past.
In 1997, the students’ union removed English/Irish signs saying it “had no choice”.
A subsequent campaign by QUB Irish society, An Cumann Gaelach, for bilingual signage failed in 2018.
Young unionists now claim any such signs on campus could “play further into the idea that it [QUB] is a cold house” for unionists, as previously suggested, and that Irish already has “considerable support” from the university and SU while the “same support is not afforded to Ulster Scots… in some cases”.
“There are more pressing issues than cultural passion projects, such as the recent rollout of free period products across campuses,” they added.
“Historically, the language has been used by some as a political weapon, creating understandable unease among unionists.
“Queen’s should strive to be a neutral and shared space and we would urge the university to make this their priority.”
Statement from the Queen’s Young Unionists Committee, in response to the Campaign for Irish dual-language signage on campus: pic.twitter.com/qjfdYDtilC
— Jay Basra (@JayBasra2) April 9, 2025
Young unionists said they met with the university’s administration ahead of a demonstration led by An Cumann Gaelach calling for bilingual signage at Queen’s on Wednesday.
They have since “urge[d] the Queen’s University administration to consider a balanced approach to language support, where all linguistic communities are heard and considered, and not just one language given precedence over the other”.
A spokesperson for the university said: “Queen’s management team are keen to listen and engage on the issues that matter most to our student body and staff.
“Ahead of today’s planned protest, the university’s leadership met with young unionists over their concerns, and also responded to the meeting request received yesterday (Tuesday 8 April) from Cumann Gaelach, agreeing to meet with this group to discuss this important issue next week.
“We are keen to continue to work in partnership with all groups to explore the issues at hand.”
An Cumann Gaelach said they “look forward to discussing the implementation of bilingual signage on campus and the surrounding areas with QUB management next week“.
The students’ union was also contacted for comment.
The new campaign for bilingual signage at Queen’s comes comes hot on the heels of a political row over Irish-language signs at Belfast’s new Grand Central Station.