Irish language is core of our culture
October 14, 2013
Madam — As an ardent fan of Gay Byrne as a constant promoter of the sociable ‘cúpla focal’ I was amazed at his ‘Ochón! Ochón!’ attitude to the Irish language ( Sunday Independent, October 6, 2013).
Declan Lynch seemed amazed also at how “Un-Irish he (Gay) has been in many ways” and having read the entire article, I must say I sure did not feel very upbeat, or inclined to utter maith an buachaill, Gaybo! There are a lot of aspects to the Irish language movement that I ignore, but I applaud the many conversation groups who meet to chat and relish the chance to revive and preserve our native tongue, it’s the core of our Irish culture and at the heart of our traditional values.
Yes I have encountered the Gaeilgeoir in the extreme, bail ó Dhia air, I respect him and move on. As a written and spoken language, Gaeilge is one of the richest, floweriest canúint — the likes of its humorous, richly descriptive characteristics and witty proverbs are not to be found in any other language. May I suggest a translation of your book Gaybo, which would be entitled “Brí na Beatha” and all my cáirde-le-chéile in our friendly ciorcal chómhrá could enjoy a pleasant read and a chat over the cupán tae!
Eilís Uí Bhriain, Caisleán Uí Liatháin, Co Chorcaí
www.independent.ie
Published on Gaelport.com 14 October 2013
Sunday Independent – Litir chuig an Eagarthóir
‘Ultach’ ar son comhthuisceana
October 14, 2013
Last week I reported on the conference about preschool education organised by Altram. Everyone was happy with how things went, but we were more than happy with the goody bag that we got at the end. Among the educational materials that we got were two booklets from Ultach/ or Iontaobhas Ultach, the Ulster Trust (the original name of the organisation): the first booklet is called‘An Ghaeilge/The Irish language’; the second one is entitled ‘Logainmneacha/Placenames’. Placenames are one route into Irish. I remember a few years ago I was going through Belfast in a taxi. The driver told me that he was a Protestant and that he was going to be doing an Irish course: he got interested in placenames driving round the city and he wanted to learn more about them. I wondered ‘Why is he telling me this?’ I forgot that I was wearing my Fáinne. ‘An Ghaeilge/The Irish language’ is an excellent publication. It starts with the origins of the language. There is a section in it about the ancient writing system, Ogham. There is then an account of the decline of Irish and the Revival: it shows how important Protestants were in the preservation of Irish. There are notes on education, the media and the arts.
There are two pages on Irish words in English and on words that have come into Irish from other languages. At the end there is a very interesting chapter on surnames. The booklets may be obtained free of charge from ‘Ultach’ and they are also on the Internet. It is well worthwhile having a look at the site www.ultach.org you will get a list of books for beginners which the organisation has published, and of books which destroy the lie that Irish belongs to one political organisation or one religion.
www.derryjournal.com
Published on Gaelport.com 14 October 2013
Derry Journal – Liam Uilliam Eoghain
Dhá Chluiche Nua don Seomra Ranga ó Ghaelchultúr
October 14, 2013
Comhdháil uile-Éireann ar Fhorbairt na Ceannasaíochta sa Scoil Lán-Ghaeilge
October 11, 2013
Naíonra ar tí druidim
October 11, 2013
History Competition for Schools
October 10, 2013
The ‘Decade of Centenaries’ all-island history competition for primary and post primary schools
The Department of Education and Skills in Ireland and the Department of Education in the North of Ireland are working together to mark the ‘decade of centenaries’ with an all-island schools history competition.
Students at all levels of primary and post primary schools across the island of Ireland are invited to submit a project that identifies a particular event or person from the decade 1912 – 1922 and examines the impact of that event or person on their local area. A project may focus on any event or personality from the period 1912-1922, or alternatively, it could focus on the impact of the decade as a whole on the local area.
The three best history projects in each province will receive prizes. At least one prize in each province will be reserved for primary schools / pupils. This means that there will be twelve winning projects in total. One of these twelve projects will be selected as the overall winner.
Other projects that are considered by the judging panel to have particular merit may also be recognised, either through publication on the scoilnet website or by other means.
The deadline for receipt of completed projects is 04 April 2014 with the winners being announced, and prizes awarded, before the end of May 2014.
Further information is available on www.education.ie.
Ciorcal Iarscoile do Dhéagóirí
October 10, 2013
An bhfuil sé tábhachtach go mbeadh Gaeilge ag do pháirtí?
October 10, 2013
VIFAX don Ghaeilge – Nuacht TG4 sa Seomra Ranga
October 9, 2013
Tá an chéad eagrán de VIFAX 2013 ar fáil anois: http://www.nuim.ie/language/vifax/index.shtml
Acmhainn teagaisc agus foghlama atá fíorúsáideach (agus saor in aisce!) don mhúinteoir Gaeilge agus don fhoghlaimeoir féinriartha araon. Ábhar ar fáil ag bonnleibhéal, meánleibhéal agus ardleibhéal.
The first VIFAX of 2013 is now available. A most useful (and free of charge!) resource for teachers and learners alike, based on weekly TG4 news bulletins. Materials available at elementary, intermediate and advanced levels: http://www.nuim.ie/language/vifax/index.shtml
Feidhmeannach Oibriúcháin UISCE
October 9, 2013
