Campa Samhraidh 2013 i gCeatharlach
July 23, 2013
Walking Tour of Dublin in Irish
July 23, 2013
Gaeil óga chun tosaigh ag Scoil Samhraidh Bhoirche Íochtar
July 23, 2013
Educational resources and interactive games on Logainm.ie
July 22, 2013
Acmhainni oideachais ar Logainm.ie
Intensive Irish Courses during the Fleadh
July 19, 2013
Would you like to practise your Irish, or maybe start learning Irish for the first time? Well you will have the perfect opportunity during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2013 at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin. Coláiste an Phobail is providing Intensive Irish courses at various levels on Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th June. The classes will run from 11:00-16:00 on both days. There are classes at 3 different levels to accommodate all learners, from complete beginners to those who have a high standard of Irish. These courses will be taught by fantastic tutors; Fearghal Mag Uiginn, Pól Mac Giolla Eoin and Malachy Ó Néill with the intent of building on whatever Irish you have. If you would like to register for a course or need any more information, contact Ciara or Fiachra on [028] 7126 4132 or ciara@culturlann-doire.ie / fiachra@culturlann-doire.ie. It is recommended that you reserve a place as soon as possible as spaces are limited. The Course will cost £20, and everyone is welcome.
Setback for Gaelic as number of new pupils rises by just 28
July 18, 2013
THE scale of the challenge to reverse Gaelic’s decline is underlined by news that only 6% of the six-year target for pupils entering Gaelic medium education has been achieved.
The Government-funded Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s (BnG) said the main aim of its National Gaelic Language Plan until 2017 is to increase in the number of pupils entering the first year of Gaelic medium primary schools from 400 to 800. However, the figure had risen by only 28, or 6%, between 2012/2013.
BnG, the official development body, has seen a 16% increase in number of children in Gaelic Education between the ages of three and five, which raises hopes of improvements in future years.
It is seen as vital that the popularity of Gaelic medium education grows to replace the elderly Gaels who are dying.
All Gaelic bodies and enthusiasts are currently waiting for the results of the 2011 census due to be published in the coming months, which will show whether the serious overall loss of speakers has been stemmed by the effort and investment in the last decade.
The 2001 census confirmed the language is still in decline with the number of speakers falling by 11% over 10 years to a figure of 58,650. The figure was 92,400 when those who had some Gaelic language ability are included.
Chief executive John Angus MacKay said: “There is no denying we are aiming high in seeking to double the number of children entering Gaelic-medium education by 2017, but we welcome the challenge as it is the most certain way towards stabilising and growing the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland.” He said that over the last two years the Bòrd had implemented strategic campaigns promoting Gaelic-medium education.
“We are now beginning to see results in growth in the numbers of children in pre-school and primary Gaelic-medium education. We have also intensified our promotional efforts to encourage Gaelic teacher recruitment and retention,” Mr MacKay added.
Scotland has three Gaelic Medium Education (GME) schools in Glasgow, Inverness and Edinburgh and a further 58 schools which offer GME along with English-medium education. Three more GME schools are planned to open by 2017 in Fort William, Portree and one on the south side of Glasgow.
The Minister for Scotland’s Languages, Alasdair Allan, said: “The Bòrd has set out clear and ambitious targets for the coming years that will deliver Gaelic events and learning opportunities across Scotland. Recent work has clearly demonstrated the level of interest and the growing demand for Gaelic and shows its role as a vital part of people’s everyday lives as well as a lynchpin in our culture and identity.”
Meanwhile, BnG reported that 17 organisations had agreed plans to promote Gaelic in their work. They ranged from the likes of NHS Highland and NHS Western Isles which might have been expected to be supportive, to Falkirk and North Lanarkshire councils.
Creative Scotland and Skills Development Scotland are also on board as are universities and the National Gallery/Museums/Library of Scotland. The Cairngorms National Park Authority is also included. Some 73% of BnG’s £5.1 million funding from the Scottish Government was spent supporting 258 bodies, projects and initiatives supporting the language.
www.heraldscotland.com
Comhcheilg Pháirc an Chrócaigh
July 18, 2013
Ulster GAA launches scholarships
July 18, 2013
Gaeilge sa Chlub (‘Irish in the Club’) is a major sponsorship programme for adult students of the Irish language and will provide financial assistance to GAA members who sign up for the Diploma in Irish Language course at the University of Ulster.
Dr Malachy Ó Néill, Head of School of Irish Language and Literature at Ulster, welcomed the ‘pioneering’ scheme.
He said: “This is a significant investment by Ulster GAA in club members throughout the province. “There is a growing appreciation of increased employability for Irish language graduates and this pioneering project is in keeping with the ethos of the GAA and the current DCAL initiative for Líofa 2015.”
Martin McAviney, President of Ulster GAA, added: “This initiative enhances the existing strong links between Comhairle Uladh and the University of Ulster, developing the current sporting partnership with a new cultural and linguistic dimension.”
The two-year (part-time) course is currently available at Belfast and Magee campuses with university outcentres at Cookstown, Ranafast and Downings. It runs for three months in the autumn and three months in the spring and classes are taught in each centre on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Donegal All-Ireland winning footballer Éamonn McGee, who graduated with the Diploma in Irish Language earlier this week, gave the scheme his backing. “The Diploma was a real game-changer for me – now I’m starting the degree in September. The part-time course is ideal for someone with a busy lifestyle.”
Ryan Feeney, Head of Community Development, Strategy and Public Affairs with Ulster GAA, spoke of the importance of this scheme at community level. He said it would both empower individuals and enrich communities.
“This scholarship scheme is an investment in GAA volunteers at grassroots level and will enable many people to achieve a university qualification in Irish, developing their own career prospects and enriching their communities.”
Further information is available from Mrs Ros O’Hagan in the School of Irish Language and Literature: r.ohagan1@ulster.ac.uk or 028 7167 5277.
To apply for the Gaeilge sa Chlub scholarship scheme you should forward your contact details to Dónal McAnallen, Culture Education & Outreach Officer with Ulster GAA: donal.mcanallen.ulster@gaa.ie or 028 3752 1900.
www.derryjournal.com
RDS Primary Science Fair 2014
July 18, 2013
As the school year comes to an end, we’re looking forward to whats coming up next term. If you’ve ever thought about entering the RDS Primary Science Fair, now is the time to start thinking about it.
If you’ve been looking for a unique way to integrate science and maths in your classroom, the Fair provides an opportunity for 120 primary schools to showcase their class STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) projects, receive feedback from experts and learn from viewing other projects at a major exhibition, the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
The Fair runs from January 9 to 11, 2014 and is open to 4th, 5th, 6th class and Key Stage 2 classes. The Fair is not a competition, the emphasis is for students to learn how to work scientifically and develop inquiry based skills, by developing a project which seeks to pose and answer a question related to the curriculum.
Some of the questions explored at the 2013 Fair included:
- How does carrying a bag affect our back health?
- How can I make my snowman last longer?
- Which brand of battery lasts the longest in a simple circuit?
The call for expressions of interest will open in September 2013. To receive e-mail updates you can contact primarysciencefair@rds.ie; call 01 240 7990 or visit www.rds.ie/primarysciencefair.
CluBeo – Ag spreagadh scoth na gceoltóirí
July 18, 2013
