The Irish language has come to Disneyland Paris after “Fáilte” and “Slán go fóil” were added to its famous ‘It’s a Small World’ attraction for the first time.
Founder of a Disneyland Paris fan community and official content creator for the park Stuart McHugh started the campaign two years ago.
Mr McHugh said the campaign was a representation of the Irish language.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr McHugh explained why he wanted to have Irish included in the theme park: “I am no massive campaigner… I don’t speak go leoir focail day to day. I went to an Irish primary school, so I lost it long ago. My kids now go to an Irish Gaelscoil.
“I just love the language, I love Irish representation on a global scale, a European landscape,” he said.
Mr McHugh mentioned that Walt Disney has strong Irish connections, having had a great-grandfather from Kilkenny.
He also said that Mr Disney wore a claddagh ring on every statue of him at his parks and studios and filmed ‘Darby O’Gill and the Little People’ in Ireland.
He added that the Disney creator had a “great grá” for Ireland.
Mr McHugh said he visits Disneyland Paris every month and his work as a content creator for them means he has approval to attend PR events, get exclusives and he has access to Disneyland management.
“I used that time to lobby certain high figures in Disneyland Paris to get the Irish language in,” he said.
“All over the world people want their language there [in Disneyland Paris].”