Irish language digital resource wins eGovernment Award
May 9, 2012
ITunes U, a new innovative Irish language learning resource was top of the class at the E-Government Ireland awards held in Dublin Castle on April 25th.
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin TD presented the Irish language award at the event which rewarded the digital achievements of public sector bodies.
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) a body which supports Irish language medium education developed iTunes U which is an online multimedia channel hosted on iTunes which combines videos, podcasts and other multimedia material for Gaeltacht schools and Irish medium schools.
Over 300 files from the archives of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and Acadamh na hOllscolaiochta Gaeilge are available to download on the iTunes channel. They include famous Irish language songs such as Peigín Leitir Móir, Amhrán Chámuis, Roddy McCorley, An Cailín Deas Rua as well as sketches and conversations in various dialects.
The National Library of Ireland took the social media award at the event with Fáilte Ireland wining the marketing award. The HSE won an award for the campaign Get Ireland Active and Citizens Information won an award for their mobile web application.
GAELPORT.COM
Opportunities for schools to get funding from Gleo
May 4, 2012
Foras na Gaeilge has issued a reminder that its Gleo scheme will run from now until May 31.
If schools want to enter this scheme there are application forms available on the Foras na Gaeilge website at www.gaeilge.ie/gleo
The GLEO scheme awards English-speaking schools for leading the way in promoting spoken Irish in their schools and communities throughout the year. Schools are selected on the basis of their innovation and creativity and last year 12 schools received an award of €3,000 to spend on Irish language resources and language events for their school.
In 2011 54 schools entered the competition with websites, drama, puppet shows, quizzes and debates included among the varied activities all run ‘as Gaeilge’.
Examples of the events and activities that schools have organised in past schemes are available at www.gaeilge.ie/gleo
THE MAYO ADVERTISER
http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo
Comhaltacht Shéamuis Uí Mhórdha
May 2, 2012
Coláiste Ráithín: Protest March on Wednesday, 2nd May 2012 at 14.30
May 2, 2012
Cairde Ráithín, Coláiste Ráithín’s Parents Association and its feeder schools are leading a Protest March to the gates of Dáil Éireann on Wednesday, 2nd May 2012 at 14.30, to demand a new school building for Coláiste Ráithín to open by 2014, which has been a ongoing issue for more than 17 years now. They will meet the 5 Wicklow TDs to get a progress report from them since a joint meeting in February nearly 3 months ago.
Following on from the successful parent’s Protest March to Department of Education & Skills last week, the parents of Coláiste Raithín have sent an Invitation to all Wicklow TDs to come to the steps of the Dáil and tell parents what progress has been made since a delegation of the parents committee met them in February nearly 3 months ago. At that meeting in February, parents explained in detail the plight of this north Wicklow school which needs a new building but which is stuck in a Kafkaesque nightmare of bureaucracy.
Since 1994, management, staff and parents in Coláiste Ráithín have been working towards a new building for Coláiste Ráithín. Seventeen years after the Department of Education first sanctioned a new building, Coláiste Ráithín is still in the same location – on 2 separate sites in Bray town centre with 50% accommodation in portacabins. There are little recreational and no sports facilities. Despite this, the school is one of the best schools in Wicklow and South Dublin and pupils continue to thrive academically.
While the Minister of Education opened two new schools in Wicklow yesterday (Monday, 30th April) there is still no communication of any description from his Department to the most recent correspondence from Cairde Ráithín, nor any sign of movement in this Catch 22 that this North Wicklow school has been caught up in. Coláiste Ráithín is the top non-fee paying school in Leinster outside of Dublin in the just-released 2012 school league tables and in the top ten non-fee paying schools nationwide.
In light of the Minister’s recent roll out of the DES new buildings and extensions programme for the next 5 years and beyond, which does NOT include any provision AT ALL for Coláiste Ráithín, the parents are now taking direct action to protect the valuable education resource in north Wicklow that is Coláiste Ráithín. Negotiations with the Minister and the Department of Education and Skills; Wicklow VEC (the patrons of Coláiste Raithín); Wicklow TDs and Bray Town Council, especially in the last 6 months, have all yielded no real, tangible progress.
The Parents most recent letters to the Minister have gone without any acknowledgement.
On Wednesday, 2nd May 2012 at 14.30, pupils from Coláiste Ráithín and its feeder schools, accompanied by parents from the community of the whole of north Wicklow, will protest at the Dáil Éireann. There will be an opportunity for the Co Wicklow TDs to explain to parents and pupils, why this situation has been allowed to continue for so long.
While there seems to be general agreement amongst all parties that a new school building is required, there seems to be NO URGENCY to resolve this matter. This is particularly worrying for both current and future pupils and their parents, given that a brand new state of the art school is planned for 2014 in Blacklion, Greystones, a distance of only 4 miles from Coláiste Raithín. Such a new school facility can only have a huge negative impact on Coláiste Ráithín, its feeder schools and so its future as it is right in the centre of Coláiste Ráithín’s unique catchment area. Parents are demanding that it is now time to bring this long outstanding matter to an immediate and satisfactory conclusion.
Therefore, in order that a new school building for Coláiste Ráithín be open by September 2014, the committee request the Minister and all TDs to do the following urgently:
– all outstanding issues regarding the current proposed Bray site be determined immediately;
– the Blacklion site be made a default option only to be exercised if the Old Bray Gold Club site is not available immediately;
– guarantee parity of esteem and equality of resources for the only Gaelcholáiste in North Wicklow;
– make the relocation of Coláiste Ráithín into a new school building, to open in September 2014, an absolute priority.
For further information, please contact: Paul Moore, spokesperson from Coiste Cóiríochta Coláiste Ráithín / 086 838 5049 /
pmoore@iol.ie
Members of north Wicklow community can sign the petition in hard copy at Coláiste Ráithín or online at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/colaisteraithinnewschoolbuilding2014/
Eagla ar Choláiste Ráithín go mbeidh a rás rite go luath
May 2, 2012
Sligo group wins Siansa Gael Linn
May 1, 2012
Young traditional music talent took the stage of the National Concert Hall on Sunday for the grand final of Siansa Gael Linn with Sligo’s newest musical hope, Teaspach taking the Siansa Gael Linn crown for this year.
The octet from the Sligo Grammar School, followed the footsteps of other alumni who previously won the national title in 2009.
Members of the group include Áine Ní Mháirtín, Nell Ní Cheallaigh, Gearóid Ó Duibhir, Íde Ní Chionnaith, Jason Mac Aonghusa, Hannah Ní Cheallaigh, Peadar Ó Maonaigh and Pádraig Ó Gabháin.
Fataí Fánacha from Coláistí Eoin and Íosagáin in Dublin took second place with Galwegian’s Macalla from Corofin in third place.
New Language Support Scheme to replace Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge
May 1, 2012
A new government scheme to promote the Irish language will focus on Gaeltacht families but information will available to other families wishing to raise their families through Irish.
Last Thursday Minister State for the Gaeltacht Dinny McGinley TD announced the Family Language Support Scheme. The new support scheme will replace The Scéim labhairt na Gaeilge scheme that ceased at the end of the last school year.
Speaking at the launch in Indreabhán, Co. Galway. The Minister of State said the language support scheme involves a “new approach” that will make a “considerable difference” to the implementation of the 20-Year-Strategy on the ground.
The date implementation of the full programme is stlll unknown but it is set to be done in twelve policy areas.
Information leaflet
The first step was the publication of an information leaflet for families availaing of maternity services in Galway, Letterkenny and Castlebar. The bilingual leaflet advises parents of sever advantages of learning Irish. The leaflet will be introduced to other hospitals serving families from other Gaeltacht areas over time.
Families will have to contact the Department however if they want to order a copy of the support pack upon receiving the leaflet.
The support scheme includes developing an awareness campaign in conjunction with the Health Service Executive (HSE) through distributing an information leaflet detailing the advantages of raising children through Irish, to expectant mothers and mothers of new-born babies.
An awareness campaign directed toward pre married couples in conjunction with the relevant church authorities will also be developed and assistance will be provided to community based organisation in organising language related events.
Summer Camps Expansion
The Department intends to broaden out its summer camp schemes currently available to 4-7 year old age group, to those aged 3-6 years old and 7-14 years old and the Department will no longer recognise summer camps with more than 50 participants.
The language assistance scheme will be further developed under the new support scheme by developing the programme to cater for students in Gaeltacht Schools to increase their standard of Irish. Extra reading, visual and oral support will be provided to the language assistance and a working and training programme will be developed for language assistance in conjunction with organisations who operate the scheme on behalf of the Department.
Programme to go “Viral”
The new scheme will also develop teenagers aged 15-17 years leadership skills by organising training programmes where the can qualify to be Gaeltacht Summer College assistants.
The programme will also develop asocial media strategy using viral videos will be directed at young people with the aim informing them of the benefits of speaking Irish. A new portal web site will also be developed to inform parents of the Irish language resources available to them.
Until the website is developed however, the main point of contact will be through email and phone. Parents interested in taking part in the programme should call 091 503700 or email ctt@ahg.gov.ie
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Gaeltacht Scholarships
May 1, 2012
Trips to Irish colleges can be out of the reach of many but scholarships are available in many of the Irish language summer schools for many students.
Colaiste Laichtín on Inis Óirr is one such summer college which offers scholarships covering the cost of accommodation for the duration of the stay on the island.
Summer Colleges reward students who would like to improve and develop their Irish, if it is for Junior or Leaving Certificate exams or even just to gain confidence with the language according to Caomhan Ó Conghaile, Principal of the summer college.
There is also lots of fun to be had when students learn languages in a different environment to school. Various sports and other games are played in Irish such as soccer, basketball.
Courses last for three weeks and begin on June 4th, June 27th and July 20th. Application forms, rules and other information are available on http://www.colaistelaichtin.ie/
Fíbín in search of New Acting Talent
May 1, 2012
Fíbín are looking for fresh young acting talent from all across the country to take part in this year’s Drama School of Excellence in Irish this summer.
Fíbín is a theatre company based in the Connemara Gaeltacht that specializes in drama for the younger audience and has a unique innovative approach to theatre. Auditions will be arranged across the country and the best students will be chosen to proceed to the workshop in July.
Auditions will take place in the coming weeks in various locations all over Ireland.
The workshop itself will take place between the 2nd – 13th of July 2012.
The Drama Workshop will be open to teenagers between 15- 17 years on the 1st of September 2012.
Fluent Irish is a necessity, as is a passion for drama
Date: 30/04/12
Venue: Seanscoil Sailearna, Conamara, Co. Galway
Time: 4-6pm
Date: 02/5/12
Venue: Áras na Gaeilge (NUI Galway)
Time: 6-8pm
Date: 14/05/12
Venue: Jury’s Inn, Cork
Time: 6-8pm
Date: 22/05/12
Venue: Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo
Time: 6-8pm
Students who are interested in participating in the Fíbín Drama School of Excellence must send a CV with a recent photo to:
Angela Seoighe
Fíbín Teo.
Na hAille
Indreabhán
Co. na Gaillimhe.
For more information on the Fíbín Drama School of Excellence, contact Angela Seoighe at Fíbín, on 091-505855 or via email at meangadh@gmail.com
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Major announcements for Irish language
May 1, 2012
Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley T.D., has announced two significant initiatives under the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
“The Family Language Support Programme and the language planning process in the Gaeltacht involve a new approach that will make a considerable difference to the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy on the ground,” the Minister of State said at the launch in Galway.
The aim of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht’s Family Language Support Programme is to strengthen the Irish language as the household and community language in the Gaeltacht in accordance with the 20-Year Strategy. Under this programme, the Department intends to undertake 12 specific measures to support Gaeltacht families who are raising their children through Irish or who wish to raise their children through Irish.
The Minister of State announced that the Department has agreed with the co-operation of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to circulate an information leaflet, regarding the advantages of raising children through Irish, to expectant mothers and mothers of newborn babies. This awareness campaign will be initiated through the maternity services operating through the HSE in Galway city, Letterkenny and Castlebar. It is also intended to broaden this campaign to maternity services which serve other Gaeltacht areas.
In addition to the awareness campaign, the Minister of State announced the following new measures which will be implemented in conjunction with key stakeholders under the Family Language Support Programme:
* The Department’s Summer Camps Scheme will be enhanced to focus separately on 3 to 6 year olds and on 7 to 14 year olds (as opposed to the current 4 to 7 year old age group);
* Special training courses will be held for Gaeltacht teenagers between 15 and 17 years old who speak fluent Irish to enable them to work as assistants in the Irish language summer colleges;
* Community-based Gaeltacht committees/organisations will be assisted in organising suitable activities, e.g. parent and toddler/child groups;
* The Department’s Language Assistants Scheme will be developed in order to better serve children in Gaeltacht schools with regard to enrichment or acquisition of the Irish language; and
* A portal website for the Irish language will be developed to provide easy access to the public to Irish-language materials and resources. As part of this portal website, content will be developed online which will assist parents raising their children through Irish.
Language Planning Process
The Minister of State announced that the language planning process in the Gaeltacht is to begin. “I am delighted to get the language planning process in the Gaeltacht underway today. Under the Gaeltacht Bill 2012 which is currently being drafted, the Gaeltacht will be given a new definition based on language criteria as opposed to geographical areas, as is currently the case. In accordance with the 20-Year Strategy, a language plan will be developed at community level in all Gaeltacht areas,” the Minister of State said.
Under the language planning process, the Gaeltacht will be delineated into 19 distinct language planning areas. Each one of these areas will be required to prepare a language plan in due course. In order to implement a comprehensive and systematic language planning process in the Gaeltacht, the Minister of State indicated that he has invited 6 language planning areas to begin this process immediately.
The Minister of State said: “The language planning process is an opportunity for Gaeltacht communities. I expect the Department, the Údarás and the community-based organisations to work together to deliver this process.”
Language Planning Areas in the Gaeltacht
Under the language planning process, the intention is to delineate the Gaeltacht into 19 distinct language planning areas of which 6 areas including Gaoth Dobhair, Rann na Feirste, Anagaire, Loch an Iúir, Cloich Chionnaola, Gort an Choirce, Toraigh, An Fál Carrach, Machaire Rabhartaigh have been invited to start this process immediately.
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