THE Andersonstown News/North Belfast News and belfastmedia.com has expanded its services in recent weeks with the appointment of a dedicated Irish language journalist.
Aodhán Ó Baoill is originally from Portstewart in County Derry and has lived in Belfast for several years. He began learning Irish aged fourteen at Loreto College Coleraine, and spent time in Coláiste Bhríde, Rann na Feirste. He studied for his undergraduate degree in Irish at Queen’s University, and for a Master's degree in Irish Language Translation and Interpreting at Ulster University.
Prior to his role with the Andytown News, Aodhán worked in the Irish language television sector, primarily on documentary programming for television, radio and digital platforms. He has written for several online and offline Irish language publications, and received a nomination for 'Columnist of the Year,' at the Oireachtas Media Awards 2025.
Speaking about his new position Aodhán said he is delighted to be working for such a well-established and respected media outlet, and added that he is looking forward to covering the flourishing revival of Irish in the city.
"I am delighted to begin my new role," he said. "The Andersonstown News has always been a proud voice for the people of West Belfast. Journalism has a crucial role to play in any democracy and it is so important to ask the difficult questions and to cover stories that otherwise would be left unheard. The Irish language community in Belfast and further afield is no different and I look forward to covering stories that truly matter to them.
"It is such an exciting time to be an Irish speaker in Belfast; a city that has been leading the way in the Irish language revival in recent years. The success of Oireachtas na Samhna last year and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann this summer only goes to show that Belfast is the place to be when it comes to stories in the Irish-speaking community.
"I am looking forward to closely covering the work of the Irish Language Commissioner, as he prepares to publish his best-practice standards towards the end of this year. I also look forward to covering the continual growth of Irish-medium education in the city, and the language's status within our universities.
"I am grateful to Coimisiún na Meán for their continued support for groundbreaking Irish-language journalism."
Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, executive director with Tuairiscigh Béal Feirste – Report for Belfast CIC, said the appointment of Aodhán Ó Baoill is a shot-in-the-arm for the local Irish language movement.
“West Belfast always trailblazed in regards to Irish media – with the daily newspaper Lá dating right back to 1984 and the groundbreaking community radio station Ráidió Fáilte – so it’s only fitting that we’re breaking the mould once again with the most comprehensive Gaeilge coverage of any local newspaper in Ireland,” he said.
“Aodhán is a passionate journalist who has already earned his stripes covering the ebullient Irish language community of Belfast, and his contribution is in the best tradition of those Shaws Road Irish speakers – Seán and Máire Mac Seáin, Séamus Mac Seáin and Seán Mac Aindreasa – who midwifed the Andersonstown News in the 1970s. I am looking forward to seeing him grow and diversify our Irish language coverage across all our platforms in the months ahead. Great credit goes to Coimisiún na Meán for their support and collaboration in this initiative.”
If you have a story for Aodhán to cover, get in touch by email a.obaoill@belfastmedia.com, or by phone to the Andersonstown News newsdesk 028 90 619000.
