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February at Wikimedia Community Ireland

It might still feel wintery but with ‘Lá na bPancóg’ (pancake Tuesday), ‘Lá Fhéile Bríde’ (St.Brigid’s Day), and ‘ Lá Fhéile Vailintín’ (Valentine’s Day)  all come and gone, I think it is fair to say spring greetings fellow Wikimedians! February has been an exciting month that saw the Wiki Loves Folklore Campaign begin, the launch of the Wikimedia Community Podcast, and lots more! So grab a cuppa and let’s catch up!

Have you listened to the WCI Podcast?

This month Wikimedia Community Ireland proudly released the first episode of our new podcast! Titled “Brigid: Bridging Worlds – Unraveling the Goddess and Saint in Irish Tradition,” the inaugural episode kicked off with a deep dive into the multifaceted figure of Brigid – both the Irish Goddess and Saint.

The podcast’s premiere sees guest Orlagh Costello of the Irish Pagan School, take us on a fascinating exploration of the legendary figure, Brigid. Through Brigid’s multifaceted identity, the podcast initiates a nuanced conversation about the intersection of feminism, folklore, and Irish history, providing listeners with an insightful glimpse into the diverse stories that Wikimedia Community Ireland aims to champion.

Listen to Episode 1 here!

Our second episode was released this week and is available to stream. In episode 2 Amy and Sophie are joined by the magical Mhara Starling - The Welsh Witch a native Welsh speaker, magic practitioner, and expert in Welsh folklore. Embark on a journey through history, feminist folklore, and Welsh cultural heritage.

Listen to Episode 2 here!

Wiki Loves Folkore 2024

This February saw Wiki Loves Folkore kick off with the international Photo Contest and the Folklore and Feminism Online Editing Event.

What is Wiki Loves Folklore 2024?

Running from February 1st to March 31st, Wiki Loves Folklore is an international campaign dedicated to documenting tangible and intangible cultural heritage across the globe. This year’s theme is folklore heritage, encouraging participants to capture the essence of Irish cultural narratives and traditions. You can find out more about Wiki Loves Folkore 2024 Ireland here.

Wikimedia Community Ireland invites everyone to dive into their photo archives or explore local sites connected to Irish culture, folklore, or storytelling. By uploading these images, you can participate in the Wiki Loves Folklore photo competition and be in with a chance to win prizes.

What is Feminism and Folklore?

Feminism and Folklore is an exciting initiative led by Wiki Loves Folklore that is dedicated to highlighting the contributions of women in folklore. We invite you to be a part of this collaborative effort aimed at bridging the gender gap in online knowledge dissemination.

How do I get involved?

As well as entering the Wiki Loves Folklore photo contest, you can join our ongoing Online Editathon here or come along to our Eagaratón through Irish on Zoom next Thursday (the 29th) from 19:00 to 21:30.

Safe Space Policy Launched

We are delighted to announce that WCI now has its own Safe Space Policy. This is an integral part of our values and mission. WCI is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful community that values diversity and promotes a safe and supportive environment for all participants.

Our Safe Space Policy outlines our commitment to creating a welcoming atmosphere for Wikimedians, members of WCI, our partners, and all individuals attending or participating in our events and campaigns. It also helps to solidify our status as a Wikimedia User Group.

You can read our Safe Space Policy here.

Translating Wiki at DCU

February saw the beginning of the Simulated Translation Bureau at Dublin City University. WCI is collaborating with a group of 20 Masters students and lecturer Aishowarza Manik at DCU. This year the students will be translating Wikipedia into Japanese, Spanish, German, Italian, Chinese, French, English, and Irish.

The students learned about the Open knowledge movement and how Wikipedia works with a case study on Vicipéid. They will now take a hands-on approach to translating pages with the ‘Client’s’ (WCI) continued support and feedback.

History in Your Hands at DCU Library

This week our Irish Language Officer, Amy took part in the History in Your Hands Project at DCU Library.

The project is structured around teaching fourth and fifth-year secondary school students how to plan, research, and write their research study as part of Leaving Certificate History. During this project, a group of students from each school will learn research, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.

The students will learn about the different types of information sources available and how to find high-quality sources for historical research. At the end of the project, the students will understand how to locate, evaluate, cite, and reference sources.

Amy presented information about using Wikipedia for research and also introduced the students to our Wiki Women Erasmus+ Project aimed at closing the Gender Gap on Wikipedia and enhancing minority language Wikipedias.

Mid-Term Conversation Review

Last week Shannon and Sophie attended the Mid-Term Conversation Hour which was an opportunity to present what WCI has been up to and answer questions.

It was a wonderful opportunity to hear from other Wikimedia Communities of a similar size including Wikimedia Norway and Wikimedia Portugal. We were able to exchange knowledge and discuss the challenges we have faced successes we have celebrated over the last year and ways we would like to progress moving forward.

Agnes Bruszik from the Wikimedia Foundation along with Camelia Boban and Josie Fraser, NWE Regional Funds Committee Members, joined the conversation hour to listen to the presentations and give feedback and advice. It was overall a successful way to foster knowledge exchange between communities.

Nuacht is Déanaí

Sheolamar an podchraoladh ar 1ú Feabhra, agus go dtí seo bhí aíonna le Béarla (agus duine amhain le Bhreatnais) againn. Faoi láthir, táim ag eagrú le roinnt aíonna le Gaeilge faoi láthair chun cuid de na podchraoltaí a bheith againn trí Ghaeilge nó dátheangach. Má tá aon duine/daoine gur mhaith libh a fheiceáil ar an Podchraoladh inisígí dom agus déanfaidh mé iarracht é a eagrú!

Bhí mé in OCBÁC an tseachtain seo ag tabhairt cur i láthair do dhaltaí meánscoile ar obair phobail Wikimedia na hÉireann. Beidh mé ann arís Dé Luain seo chugainn ag tabhairt an cur i láthair céanna do Ghaelcholáiste. Tá cartlann ainm.ie ag OCBÁC atá á digitiú acu faoi láthair, mar sin beidh sé seo ina acmhainn iontach a bheidh ar fáil dúinn go luath le húsáid don Vicipéid.

Imeachtaí ag Teacht

Beidh Eagaratón trí Ghaeilge ar siúl ar líne Déardaoin seo chugainn (an 29ú) ó 19:00 go dtí 21:30. Beidh béim ar an mbéaloideas ag dul go deas leis an bhfeachtas Wiki Loves Folklore.

Maidir le hEagaratón - cuir mé iarratas isteach chuig an gCiste Focail chun focal Eagaratón a chlarú leo. Táim ag fanacht ar freagair anois, agus tá súil agam go mbeadh an tearma sa foclóir go luath!

Seachtain na Gaeilge

Beidh imeachtaí ar siúl le linn Sheachtain na Gaeilge - ar líne agus go pearsanta.

Tá sonraí na hócáide ar an 13ú i mBaile Átha Cliath thíos/

Seisiún Eolais Vicipéide

Cathain: 13ú Márta 2024

Am: 11:00-15:00

Cén Áit: RuaRed - South Dublin Arts Centre, Tamhlacht, BAC 24

An imeacht ar PEIG.

Beidh Eagaratón ar líne againn freisin ar an 8ú Márta do Lá Idirnáisiúnta na mBan. Roinnfear tuilleadh sonraí faoi imeachtaí eile i ríomhphost níos déanaí!

Coming up in March we have lots of fun in store for Seachtain na Gaeilge and International Women’s Day (March 8th) so keep an eye out!

Thank you for being an integral part of our Community.

Le dea-ghuí,

Wikimedia Community Ireland

Monthly Meetings

If you want to get more involved with the group next year, just let us know and you can come along to our next meeting in March. We meet once a month on Zoom (usually a Tuesday at 7 pm) when we discuss and plan our events and campaigns, just email info@wikimedia.ie to join.