Gaeltacht courses in Coláiste Cholumba in An Cheathrú Rua
Feabhra 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.
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Anger over plans to merge two of Cork’s oldest schools
Feabhra 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
Feabhra 12, 2014
Tá busanna á eagrú ó Chonamara agus ó chathair na Gaillimhe chun daoine a thabhairt go Baile Átha Cliath don mhórshiúl Lá Mór na Gaeilge – Siúl ar son do Chearta, ócáid a bheidh ar siúl an Satharn seo chugainn, 15 Feabhra.
Tá an mórshiúl á eagrú mar chuid d’fheachtas cearta atá bunaithe mar thoradh ar an ngéarchéim a cruthaíodh nuair a d’fhógair An Coimisinéir Teanga, Seán Ó Cuirreáin, go mbeadh sé ag éirí as oifig de bharr na heaspa éisteachta atá faighte aige ón Rialtas. Cuirfear tús leis an mórshiúl Lá Mór na Gaeilge – Siúl ar son do Chearta ag 2.00i.n. agus an slua ag fágáil Cearnóg Parnell ag 2.00i.n. agus iad ag tabhairt aghaidhe ar lár na cathrach.
Fágfaidh bus Chonamara carrchlós Mhuintearas, Tír an Fhia, ag 8.45r.n. agus stopfaidh sé ag Halla Éinne, An Cheathrú Rua ag 9.00r.n. agus ag Seanscoil Sailearna, Indreabhán ag 9.15r.n. Is féidir suíochán a chur in áirithe ach teachtaireacht a sheoladh chuig tuismitheoirinagaeltachta@gmail.com nó téacs chuig 087 3382885. Fágfaidh bus na cathrach an Ardeaglais ag 10.00r.n. agus is féidir suíochán a chur in áirithe ach glaoch a chur ar 091 567824.
Cuirfear críoch leis an mórshiúl le slogadh ollmhór, áit a ndéanfar ceiliúradh ar bheocht agus ar shaibhreas na Gaeilge le ceolchoirm ó Seo Linn agus baill den ghrúpa Kíla agus Na Firéin.
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Rónán Ó Domhnaill le bheith ina Choimisinéir nua Teanga
Feabhra 12, 2014
An t-iriseoir Rónán Ó Domhnaill (38) atá ainmnithe ag an Rialtas le feidhmiú mar an chéad Choimisinéir Teanga eile.
Dúirt Ó Domhnaill gur “onóir agus pribhléid” a bhí ann a bheith ainmnithe do “ról chomh tábhachtach leis seo”. Tagann Ó Domhnaill ón Cheathrú Rua i nGaeltacht Chonamara ó dhúchas agus tiocfaidh sé i gcomharbacht ar an Uasal Seán Ó Cuirreáin atá le héirí as an phost ag deireadh na míosa seo. Is Comhfhreagraí Polaitíochta de chuid Nuacht RTÉ/TG4 é Ó Domhnaill agus tá sé ag obair leis an stáisiún ó 1998. Cuireann sé clár seachtainiúil cúrsaí reatha RTÉ, The Week in Politics , i láthair go rialta. Tá sé pósta ar an iriseoir, Irene Ní Nualáin, agus tá beirt pháistí acu. Dúirt Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta, Dinny McGinley TD, go raibh áthas air go raibh “an tUasal Ó Domhnaill tar éis glacadh leis an ainmniúchán don phost mar Choimisinéir Teanga úr.
“Tá ardmheas ag pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta air ina cháil mar chomhfhreagraí polaitíochta agus tá mé cinnte go rachaidh an taithí atá aige i dtairbhe go mór dó mar Choimisinéir Teanga”. Chuir ardrúnaí Chonradh na Gaeilge, Julian de Spáinn, fáilte roimh an cheapachán ach cháin sé an Rialtas fosta, á rá go mbeadh “deis ag pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta, thuaidh agus theas, a bhfearg agus a ndíomá a chur in iúl ag Lá Mór na Gaeilge i mBaile Átha Cliath Dé Sathairn seo chugainn, fearg agus díomá i dtaca leis an tslí a chaith an Rialtas ó dheas leis an gCoimisinéir Teanga reatha go háirithe”. ‘Ar buille’ Dúirt sé go raibh pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta “ar buille leis an Rialtas as an easpa ghnímh agus an easpa dul chun cinn atá déanta lena chinntiú go mbeadh dóthain Gaeilge ag fostaithe an Stáit chun go mbeadh siad in ann freastal go hiomlán as Gaeilge ar phobal na Gaeltachta, gan cheist, gan choinníoll, faoi dheireadh 2016 ar a dhéanaí”.
Thréaslaigh ceannasaí Ghael Linn, Antoine Ó Coileáin, a cheapachán le Ó Domhnaill. Dúirt sé “go mbeadh dúshlán mór roimhe bonn inchreidte a chur faoi phróiseas pleanála a thabharfadh feidhm do stádas oifigiúil na Gaeilge agus a dheimhneodh cearta teanga do phobal na Gaeilge”. Rinne an coimisinéir reatha, Seán Ó Cuirreáin, comhghairdeas leis an Dálach fosta agus ghuigh gach rath air agus é ag cur chearta teanga chun cinn. D’fhógair Ó Cuirreáin go raibh sé le héirí as a phost de bharr gur chreid sé go raibh an Stát ag déanamh faillí i gcearta teanga phobal na Gaeltachta agus na Gaeilge.
www.irishtimes.com
New Irish language commissioner named
Feabhra 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
Feabhra 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
Feabhra 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
Feabhra 11, 2014
Tá an-áthas ar Glór Cheatharlach go mbeidh Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge ag eagrú seimineáir i gCeatharlach dar teideal ‘Buntáiste Breise na Gaeilge’.
Seo seimineár fostaíochta dhátheangach do dhaltaí sa cheathrú, cúigiú agus séú bliain in iar-bhunscoileanna an cheantair. Is ins an Óstán Seven Oaks, Ceatharlach a bheidh an ócáid seo á reáchtáil ar an Déardaoin, 27ú Feabhra 2014. Ar an lá labhróidh painéal d’aoichainteoirí ó earnálacha éagsúla faoin mbuntáiste breise a thug an Ghaeilge dóibh agus iad i mbun a ngairmeacha beatha. Beidh cur i láthair na n-aoichainteoirí spreagúil agus spleodrach. Is cinnte go rachaidh an painéal iontach cumasach go mór i bhfeidhm ar na daltaí scoile a bheidh i láthair.
I measc na n-aoichainteoirí a bheidh ag labhairt ag an ócáid seo beidh an t-aisteoir aitheanta Barry Barnes as Loch Garman ó dhúchas. Bheadh aithne níos fearr ag daoine air mar athair Aifric sa sobalchlár ‘Aifric’ ar TG4. Anuas ar sin ghlac sé páirteanna i Ros na Rún, Fair City, na scannáin Veronica Guerin, Michael Collins, Kings mar aon le go leor eile. Labhróidh Emma Uí Bhroin, atá ag obair mar Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge le Glór Cheatharlach, ar a cuid oibre leis an bpobal i gCeatharlach agus na tionscadail ar fad a bhíonn á reachtáil aici chun úsáid na Gaeilge a neartú i measc an phobail ar an mbaile.
Déanfaidh an t-abhcóide Cynthia Ní Mhurchú as Ceatharlach cur síos ar a post féin agus freisin tabharfaidh sí léargas iontach ar an seal a chaith sí mar láithreoir teilifíse le RTÉ. Anuas ar seo tabharfaidh Liam Ó Néill, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael fear de bhunús Co. Laoise léargas ar an tábhacht atá leis an nGaeilge i dtaobh an CLG mar aon le súil siar ar a thréimhse mar phríomhoide scoile. Beidh ionadaithe ó roinnt institiúidí tríú leibhéal i láthair ag an seimineár chomh maith, chun eolas a thabhairt do na daltaí scoile faoi na deiseanna oideachais trí mheán na Gaeilge atá ann dóibh.
Tá eolas ar an seimineár á dháileadh ar iar-bhunscoileanna an cheantair i láthair na huaire. Níl aon táille le n-íoc ach iarrtar ar mhúinteoirí a ranganna a chlárú gan mhoill. Is féidir breis eolais faoin seimineár a fháil ar www.gaelport.com , glaoch a chur ar Bhrighid ar Chomhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge ag 01 679 4780 nó r-phost a chur chuig brighid@comhdhail.ie . Sonraí freisin ó Ghlór Cheatharlach ar 059 9158105 nó 085 1340047.
Carlow Nationalist – Glór Ceatharlach
Siúl ar son do chearta
Feabhra 6, 2014
Beidh pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta ar ais ar na sráideanna ar Dé Sathairn 15 Feabhra mar chuid d’fheachtas cearta atá bunaithe mar thoradh ar an ngéarchéim a cruthaíodh nuair a d’fhógair An Coimisinéir Teanga, Seán Ó Cuirreáin, go mbeadh sé ag éirí as oifig de bharr na heaspa éisteachta atá faighte aige ón Rialtas.
Cuirfear tús leis an mórshiúl Lá Mór na Gaeilge – Siúl ar son do Chearta ag 2.00i.n. agus an slua ag fágáil Cearnóg Parnell ag 2.00i.n. agus iad ag tabhairt aghaidhe ar lár na cathrach. Beidh grúpaí i láthair ó fud fad na tíre, le busanna ag taisteal ó Chonamara, Gaillimh, Tír Chonaill, Liatroim, Corcaigh, Cill Dara, an Mhí agus Béal Feirste. Tá pobail eile freisin ag cur eagair orthu féin le bheith i láthair chun teachtaireacht a thabhairt don Rialtas agus don státchóras nach bhfuil siad sásta glacadh a thuilleadh leis an éagóir atá á dhéanamh ar chearta na teanga. Cuirfear críoch leis an mórshiúl le slogadh ollmhór, áit a ndéanfar ceiliúradh ar bheocht agus ar shaibhreas na Gaeilge le ceolchoirm ó Seo Linn agus baill den ghrúpa Kíla agus Na Firéin.
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Busanna ó Ghaillimh agus Conamara
Feabhra 6, 2014
Tá busanna á eagrú ó chathair na Gaillimhe agus ó cheantar Chonamara chun daoine a thabhairt go Baile Átha Cliath don mhórshiúl Lá Mór na Gaeilge – Siúl ar son do Chearta .
Fágfaidh bus na cathrach an Ardeaglais ag 10.00r.n. ar Dé Sathairn 15 Feabhra agus beidh bus Chonamara ag freastal ar cheantar na nOileán, an Cheathrú Rua, Indreabhán agus an Spidéal. Is féidir suíochán a chur in áirithe ar do rogha bus ach glaoch a chur ar 091 567824.
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