Gaeltacht courses in Coláiste Cholumba in An Cheathrú Rua
February 13, 2014
Coláiste Cholumba is located in An Cheathrú Rua in the heart of the Connemara Gaeltacht and provides a base for students to further their appreciation and knowledge of not only the Irish language but also of Ireland’s rich historical culture.
Courses are graded and cater for primary students, pre-Junior Cert and pre-Leaving Cert, with special tuition on oral examinations. The college will run three separate three-week courses over the summer, the first running from June 2 to June 23, then from June 24 to July 15, and finally from July 16 to August 6. The college also has courses for students who want a shorter two-week experience. The courses run from June 24 to July 8, July 9 to July 23 and July 23 to August 6. Coláiste Cholumba uses the communicative approach in Irish classes and avails of modern teaching aids as well as drama and other techniques to ensure that each student has the greatest opportunity to improve his or her Irish.
These courses are inclusive of accommodation, food, tuition, sports activities and travel during the course. Coláiste Cholumba is also famed for its theme nights which include Dubh agus Bán, Céilí 60s, Céilí Gléasta, Oíche Hawaii, Oíche Hollywood, Oíche Pop stars, Oíche Culchie, Oíche na gcontaetha, Céilí Tire, and many more. It’s hard to imagine a more fun-filled experience in one of the most popular Irish summer colleges. Coláiste Cholumba also runs special courses for those sitting the Leaving Cert 2014, Junior Cert, and for sixth class primary and first year post primary students. For further details/special offers contact 091 595184, email colaistecholumba@gmail.com or log on to www.colaistecholumba.ie. You can also find Coláiste Cholumba on Facebook at www.facebook.com/colaiste.cholumba and Twitter @colaistecholumb.
www.advertiser.ie
Anger over plans to merge two of Cork’s oldest schools
February 12, 2014
The proposed merger of two of Cork’s oldest primary schools is causing controversy on the city’s northside.
The amalgamation plans for Scoil Mhuire Fatima boys’ school at the North Monastery and nearby St Vincent’s Convent National School were announced by their trustees to staff yesterday.
There has been primary education since 1811 at the North Mon, which has 171 second to sixth-class pupils, while nearby St Vincent’s, which has male pupils up to first class and girls up to sixth, first opened in 1847.
However, the Edmund Rice Schools Trust, which controls former Christian Brothers schools, and the Sisters of Charity want to amalgamate them by next September. The newly named school would see pupils and staff of the North Mon primary relocate to the St Vincent’s site.
One North Mon teacher said staff were shocked and angry at the news delivered in a meeting after school yesterday, particularly at the plan their building would be taken over by a neighbouring gaelscoil. The move will also be an issue for parents, particularly with months to decide important issues such as uniform policies.
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation said concerns have been raised about the plan and full consultation with all partners is essential.
“It is important that future school provision is planned properly rather than quickly,” a spokesperson said.
In addition, the Presentation Sisters have agreed to change the North Presentation Primary School near the North Cathedral from a girls’ school with infant boys to a co-educational primary — but on a phased basis. The trustees said the restructuring process will include consultations with each school’s board, staff, and parents.
“This new structure will provide a more secure future for these schools. The ethos of the existing trustees will continue within the two newly restructured schools,” said a joint statement from the trust bodies and the Cork Catholic diocesan trustees.
The plan is for primary education to continue at the North Monastery, as the expanding Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers would move into the vacated site from temporary accommodation in nearby Farranferris. It would also transfer from diocesan trusteeship to the ERST.
The combined enrolments at the four schools fell from 947 in 2007 to 868 last year, but Scoil Mhuire Fatima’s and St Vincent’s fell by 64 and 47 respectively, while the other two schools have grown.
All four are in the North Cathedral parish, and Catholic Bishop of Cork and Ross, John Buckley, agrees in principle with the plans.
“If the trustees are in agreement and the schools are in agreement, the patron would be supportive,” his spokesperson said.
The trusts said a change of trustees for Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers would allow pupils more secure progression to Gaelcholáiste Mhuire on the North Mon campus.
www.irishexaminer.com
Tá na busanna ag líonadh
February 12, 2014
Rónán Ó Domhnaill le bheith ina Choimisinéir nua Teanga
February 12, 2014
New Irish language commissioner named
February 12, 2014
TELEVISION journalist Ronan O Domhnaill is to be appointed as the new Irish language commissioner.
He replaces the outgoing Commissioner Sean O Cuirreain, who resigned amid controversy last December. Mr O Cuirreain, who served in the post for 10 years and had another two years to go in his term, said the Government had no intention of implementing the many policy promises they made on the Irish language. The outgoing commissioner also said Irish-speaking people could not do business through Irish with state services despite the theoretical official status given the language. The resignation caused upset among Irish-speaking communities and a language rights demonstration is planned for Dublin on Saturday, February 15, starting at 2pm from Parnell Square.
The Irish language organisation, Conradh na Gaeilge, welcomed the new commissioner’s appointment but expressed disappointment that no effort was made to address the criticisms made by Mr O Cuirreain. Mr O Domhnaill, aged 38 and a native Irish speaker from An Cheathru Rua, Connemara, is a political correspondent with Irish-language broadcast services TG4 and Nuacht RTE. His appointment carries a yearly salary of €115,000. It must be ratified by the Dail and Seanad before it is formally confirmed by the President and Mr O Domhnaill will take up office on February 22 next.
www.independent.ie
Irish language secondary school meeting tomorrow in Derry
February 12, 2014
A public meeting will be held in Derry tomorrow to discuss plans for an Irish language secondary school in the city.
The meeting, which will be held in Rafters, Northland Road, on Wednesday at 7.30pm, will hear the concerns of parents about the delay in setting up a new Irish medium secondary school.
It will also hear from two speakers who will share their own experiences of attending Irish medium secondary education. A spokesperson for the organisers said; “Our children deserve the highest standard of education through the same language they have been educated in their primary years. “It is wrong that the gifts with which they leave our gaelscoils are not built upon when they go to secondary school. “Every year that goes by without a resolution is a disappointment to those who have lost out and a worry for parents of younger children. A viable option for establishing second level education is already on the table and, for the first time, has the support of all the schools and the majority of parents. “The meeting is not a platform for other agendas or for raking over the past; we have been distracted for long enough. “This is an opportunity for parents to put forward positive ideas on how we can move forward united together as a parent body and highlight this issue for the sake of our children.” The public meeting is open to all who want to see Irish Medium second level education restored in the city.
www.derryjournal.com
More than a cupla focal needed
February 11, 2014
I too share the frustrations of Daithi MacCarthaigh and Paul Milne (Letters, 2/2/2014) in relation to the Irish language, and encourage you to continue this important debate.
Paul has identified one of the main problems facing the language: the antipathy of primary and secondary school students towards it. I agree with him that a radical approach is called for. I do not, however, agree that a simplified version of the language is the way to go. Such a policy would only serve to drive a wedge between fluent speakers and the next generation of Irish students and this would never be turned around. The Department of Education and Skills should critically examine how and by whom Irish is taught in our schools. All future secondary school Irish teachers should be fluent Irish graduates, who have spent a considerable part of their studies in one or more of the Gaeltacht regions. Above all else, they should be enthusiastic Irish speakers in the classroom. Mol an Oige agus tiocfaidh sé before it is all too late.
John Burke Beaumont, Dublin 9
www.businesspost.ie
Seimineár ‘Buntáiste Breise na Gaeilge’ i gCeatharlach
February 11, 2014
Siúl ar son do chearta
February 6, 2014
Busanna ó Ghaillimh agus Conamara
February 6, 2014
