Rannpháirtithe ag teastáil do shuirbhé ar leanaí ar an idirlíon
March 12, 2013
Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta’s 12th Annual Conference
March 12, 2013
Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, the representative body for Irish-medium Education, is pleased to announce that its 12th Annual Conference will take place on Friday 15th March in Coláiste Feirste Belfast.
The Conference, one of the largest of its kind on the island of Ireland, will attract delegates from Irish-medium schools North and South and from numerous Irish language, cultural and educational organisations and about two hundred teachers are expected to attend this conference this year.
This year’s theme is ‘The Pursuit of Professionalism’ and a wide range of speakers, drawn mostly from within the Irish-medium sector itself, will deliver workshops on various aspects at this year’s event.
CEO of Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, Dr Micheál Ó Duibh will officially open this year’s conference on Friday morning and this will be followed by many interesting talks, presentations and workshops throughout the day.
Speakers include Dr Máire Ní Ríordáin from NUI Galway, Pavel Iosad and Professor Alison Henry from the University of Ulster as well as representatives from CCEA, St Mary’s University, CASS, An tÁisaonad and from the two new Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta projects ‘Together through Culture’, a cross community project and an Irish language Youth development initiative.
This year’s conference will also include two separate sessions for Governors and a full day language course for Classroom Assistants, in conjunction with St Mary’s University College.
The Professional Support Service for Primary Schools, in the south of Ireland will also contribute to the day’s events as well as representatives from CCEA, St Mary’s University, CASS, An tÁisaonad and from the two new Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta projects ‘Together through Culture’, a cross community project and an Irish language Youth development initiative.
As well as many talks, many workshops aimed at new resources in drama and music will be hosted by Jacqueline De Brún, Education Advisor, An tÁisaonad Lán-Ghaeilge and Fionnuala Uí Mhealláin, Scoil an tSleibhe Dhuibh will conduct a worksk titled Inspriing Creative Writing in the classroom (Ag Spreagadh na Scríbhneoireachta Cruthaithí sa Seomra Ranga)
The Conference will be held on March 15th in Coláiste Feirste, Beechview Park, Falls Road, Belfast between 9.30am and 3.45pm.
Teachers must register for this event prior to attending
Further Information
Tarlach Mac Giolla Bhríde, Conference Coordinator
Phone: +0044 (0) 28 90 321475 / Email: tmacgiollabhride@comhairle.org.
Educational Programmes on TG4 this Easter
March 12, 2013
Two new educational shows for young people produced by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge will be broadcast on TG4 this Easter
As Leaving Certificate students prepare for this year’s Irish language oral exam, ‘Cuireadh Chun Cainte’, featuring actor Marcus Lamb which will ease students into the revised new format of the exam. The programme will air on TG4 on Monday March 25th at 11 a.m to facilitate students preparing for the exam over the Easter break.
Since 2012, 40% of the marks for the Irish exam in the Leaving Certificate are awarded for the Irish oral, an exam which takes place over a fifteen minute period.
This increased emphasis on the oral exam will mean that the expert advice compiled by educational experts for the ‘Cuireadh Chun Cainte’ will be beneficial to students tackling the new syllabus.
Career Guidance- as Gaeilge
Presented by Sibéal Davitt and Ciarán Charles Ó Conghaile, Céim Chun Tosaigh: ag Obair le Gaeilge (A step ahead: Working with the Irish language) is an innovative Irish language career guidance programme produced by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge for second level students across Ireland.
It is set to be broadcast on TG4 on Tuesday, March 26 at 11am.
Céim Chun Tosaigh provides information and guidance on courses, training options and career paths in Ireland and abroad and is aimed at senior cycle students. The programme examines the challenges faced by graduates in the current economic climate, while some of those interviewed have been successful working in careers working with the Irish language far afield from New York to Brussels.
The 27 minute programme focuses on a wide range of careers, from media, teaching, technology, linguistics, law, language teaching, sports, the army, the arts, business and childcare. It also highlights the highly transferable skills which multilingual graduates have and the dynamic career paths which are open to them.
Céim Chun Tosaigh: Ag Obair le Gaeilge was produced as part of a multimedia package for schools which includes a DVD which can be used as a learning resource in classrooms, a handbook with general information on career areas and skills and a series of lively short films and interviews published online on YouTube and Vimeo.
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge received funding from Foras na Gaeilge, An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, and Teacher Professional Networks to produce these programmes.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
€1.56m approved for language planning projects
March 12, 2013
Funding of €1.56m for language planning projects has been announced by Údarás na Gaeltachta.
The funding was approved at a meeting of Bord Údarás na Gaeltachta held in Na Forbacha last week and will be distributed among four organisations.
The funding will assist in the implementation of work and activity programmes for Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta, Muintearas Teo., Ealaín na Gaeltachta and Óige na Gaeltachta Teo.
Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta have been allocated an administration grant of €580,000 to assist in the implementation of the company’s work programme for 2013. Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta currently provide a naíonra service to 850 children through 62 different naíonra sessions as well as afterschool services, breakfast clubs and parent groups serving 450 children.
Muintearas Teo., will receive €400,000 towards the running of the company’s events plan for 2013. The organisation’s main objective is to develop education, language and community development programmes as well as early education services, youth work, training services, language development services and community and local services.
Ealaíon na Gaeltachta will receive €335,000 to jointly fund the implementation of its programme of activities and arts development schemes.
Óige na Gaeltachta Teo. will receive an administration grant of €250,000 to assist in the implementation of its programme of activities for 2013.
Óige na Gaeltachta Teo. provides a youth service through Irish for young people between the ages of seven and eighteen throughout the Gaeltacht. The company administers 45 youth clubs which have 1,600 members in addition to running 4 drop-in centres catering for 200 young people.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Thousands of cash prizes to be won for schools and young people who promote the positive side of the internet!
March 11, 2013
We are delighted to launch our competition “What’s Your Story”for the 2nd year running and we want your school to participate! We believe that young people are part of the solution in the promotion of a safe and responsible online world for our community. This competition is a practical exercise to raise awareness within your school about being safe and responsible online.
So what’s this competition all about?
“What’s Your Story” offers young people a voice and engages them to think positively about the internet and how we all use it!
Simply create a 2 minute video or a poster (s) on the theme: “What does the good side of the Internet look like?” Once submitted online, it will be viewable by the public online and entries with the highest views and ratings will get shortlisted for our judges. That means that young people have to spread the word and encourage their peers to view the entries online too! This is an awareness raising exercise in itself. (Anyone 8 years + can enter). It is also an educational activity for the entire family; where they can view and rate all entries together.
Thousands of cash prizes to be won! The overall winner could be a school or an individual, in the form of a video or a poster and will receive €3,000 in prize money. Within each age category, €500 will be awarded to the winning poster and the winning video entry. (Entrants under 18 will require parental/guardian approval).
We have enclosed some flyers for teachers and everything is also available online: www.trendmicro.ie/whatsyourstory . (This includes our competition rules)
Please contact us if you have any questions at: whatsyourstory@trendmicro.ie and thank you for your continued support!
Comórtas BEO!
March 11, 2013
Inspirational stalwart of the Irish-language movement in Belfast
March 11, 2013
Méabh Uí Chriagáin (Maeve Cregan) was a stalwart of the Irish language movement in Belfast, and a bridge between its early years and the current upsurge in interest.
She helped keep Irish alive through long years when the political atmosphere was hostile. The younger generation in the language movement found her inspirational and encouraging. They felt she had her finger on the pulse of what was happening in Irish-language circles. Uí Chriagáin first became involved in Irish-language activities in the 1940s. Some she worked with then had been involved in the revival of the early 20th century. Over the years, she served on the executive of Comhaltas Uladh (as the Gaelic League was known in the North), and was active in Irish-language drama. Her work helped give birth to Cumann Cultúrtha Mhic Reachtain in north Belfast and to Irish-language primary and nursery schools. All her activities were carried out while a mother of six, working as a primary school teacher.
Irish was important in her life. She met her late husband, Ruairí, while both were learning Irish in the Donegal Gaeltacht. They raised their family through Irish. Uí Chriagáin was also one of the founders of Newington Youth Club, in north Belfast. She had great compassion, often accommodating young people suffering family problems, and was active in the St Vincent de Paul Society. Her interests were wide. She was a talented painter and spoke Spanish, French and Italian and enjoyed visiting Europe. Her final visit to Italy was in May of last year. Uí Chriagáin was born in May 1932, near Ardglass in Co Down, the only child to Michael Quinn, a school attendance officer, and his wife Annie (née Gracey), a seamstress. Her father was from Belfast, her mother a native of the Ardglass area. The family moved to Belfast, living for some years in a house where Lieut Gen Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the scout movement, had lived when a British army officer in Belfast.
Her secondary schooling was at St Dominic’s High School. Briefly, she undertook a Celtic Studies degree at Queen’s University. She left, to qualify as a teacher at St Mary’s Training College. As well as teaching at various primary schools in Belfast, she worked in the Pigs Marketing Board. In her late 60s, Uí Chriagái returned to university and completed her degree in Celtic studies. Years earlier, she had taught one of her lecturers at primary school. She was predeceased by her husband, Ruairí, and is survived by daughters Anne, Carrie, Ita, Tina and Una, son Ciarán and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
www.irishtimes.com
Rugby star Luke lends his voice to Irish call
March 11, 2013
IRISH rugby international Luke Fitzgerald has called for more money to be put into promoting wider use of the Irish language and helping people develop their Irish language skills.
Speaking a day after Ireland’s bruising encounter with France, the Leinster and Ireland winger said he would like to see “a big revival of the Irish language”. A fluent Irish speaker himself, the 25-year-old Dubliner said that despite the tough economic circumstances it was still important to put money into the language as it gave people a sense of Irishness. “To speak our own language sets us apart in a world which feels like it is getting smaller,” he said.
Describing himself to the Irish Independent as “passionate” about Irish, he paid tribute to former boxer Bernard Dunne’s efforts to promote the cupla focail. “He has been fantastic. I met him after one of our games and he is putting in a big push on Irish.” Fitzgerald officially opened a new clubhouse for Loreto Hockey Club in Rathfarnham, Dublin. His grandmother’s sister, Natalie Liuzzi, was the club’s first ever Irish international in the 1940s. He urged girls to get involved in sports as a way of building friendships. “I think one of the most important things for a flourishing life is the relationships you build. Team sports are one of the best ways to do that”, he said.
His views were echoed by RTE television presenter Mary Kennedy. “It is for social interaction as well as health and fitness,” the presenter who has run two marathons said.
Speaking about Seachtain na Gaeilge, which takes place up to St Patrick’s Day, she said: “It is so wonderful to see people like Luke, who is a hero to so many young people, speaking Irish.”
IRISH INDEPENDENT
Mayor backs Lá na Gaeilge
March 11, 2013
Londonderry’s Mayor is supporting Lá na Gaeilge in Guildhall Square, the day before St Patrick’s Day.
Mayor Kevin Campbell, endorsed the celebration of Irish language and culture, stating: “With 2013 being Bliain na Gaeilge (the National Year of Irish), I thought it was a good opportunity to support a programme of outdoor events on March 16 which would mark the end of Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish Language Week) and celebrate Irish language and culture in the city. “Guildhall Square will be buzzing on Lá na Gaeilge with a range of family friendly events including an outdoor céilí, traditional Irish music sessions, performances by children from our local Gaelscoileanna, an Irish language information point and arts and crafts activities for families,” he said.
www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk
‘Examine restriction of teacher applicants’
March 11, 2013
The Department of Education’s chief inspector has suggested looking at restricting the numbers going into teaching as a possible way of keeping up standards in the profession.
Questions have been raised about regulating intake to teacher-training degrees, as the 3,000-plus annual graduates have had more difficulty in recent years finding work because of education cutbacks. The rise in teaching graduates without work because of these cuts, along with reduced pay for the profession, may be behind a fall of almost 20% in numbers listing teacher-training courses as their first choice on college application forms. The department’s chief inspector, Harold Hislop, said that, although high-calibre candidates are still applying to teaching courses, international research suggests that restricting access to the profession and the overall entrant numbers have advantages for the long-term good of teaching and schools.
“Whether by failing to control entry properly we may damage quality is a question about which we have not had an informed and thorough debate in Ireland, and is one that we may need to consider,” he told a recent symposium on teacher education at University College Cork. There may be a temporary drop in newly qualified teachers in years to come as teacher education reforms see degrees extended by a year, meaning a gap in output from some courses. A range of mergers is planned among teacher-training colleges, and Mr Hislop said having a smaller number of larger teacher education institutions will help enhance teachers’ skills and the profession’s status.
www.irishexaminer.com
