Dates for Tóstal na Gaeilge 2013 announced
November 28, 2012
The biggest Irish language conference of the year will take place on February 16th 2013 in the Hilton Hotel, Charlemont Place, Dublin 2.
The event will bring together Irish language speakers, activists and supporters of the language to discuss challenges as well as opportunities to develop the language in 2013. All are welcome to attend the event as headsets will be available to those who don’t have fluent Irish.
Tóstal na Gaeilge is a conference organised by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, an organisation which represents the interests of 24 Irish language organisations, and it is hoped that this year’s Tóstal will provoke lively discussion and provide Irish speakers with the opportunity to share their views on the promotion of Irish and Government policy in matters concerning the language.
Recent developments such as the enactment of the Gaeltacht Act 2012 as well as progress in implementing the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish language shall be the focus of events on the day as well as discussions and debate on other areas of Irish language policy within the Gaeltacht, language promotion within the family and challenges posed by the technological age.
An Chomhdháil will celebrate its 70th anniversary since it was first founded in 1943 and the 2013 Tóstal will commemorate the work of its members and the Irish language voluntary sector .
A full programme of events will be announced on Gaelport.com over the coming weeks and on social networks under the hashtag #Tnag13.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
An Gúm – Children’s books to be won!
November 28, 2012
This week one lucky subscriber will win a copy of the new books titled Nóinín agus Siar Aniar by Eibhlís Ní Dhonnchadha and Caoimhe agus an Bogha Báistí by Siobhain Grogan which were published by An Gúm.
We previously encountered Nóinín and her little friends in Nóinín agus Róllaí Póllaí. This time she’s back with some new friends and a new adventure involving an inquisitive dog, a crab and a magical tractor! Nóinín agus Siar Aniar is a delightful story combining prose, verse and music, wonderfully illustrated by Dómhnal Ó Bric. The book comes with a lively audio disc.
Caoimhe agus an Bogha Báistí by Siobhain Grogan is an attractive picture book with flaps. Oranges, apples and bananas – Yuk! Say’s Caoimhe.
Caoimhe doesn’t like fruit. But Caoimhe loves the colours of the rainbow. But Mamaí has a plan to change her mind. This is a bright and attractive picture book with flaps that reveal all our favourite fruits.
This is a gorgeous book with bright colours and pictures that will endear both young and old. This book was beautifully illustrated by Róisín Curé.
These books are suitable for ages 4 –7yrs
This week’s question: Which publishing company published the books Nóinín agus Siar Aniar & Caoimhe agus an Bogha Báistí ?
• Cló Mhaigh Eo
• Cló Iar-Chonnacht
• Futa Fata
• An Gúm
Please forward answers to duais@comhdhail.ie and have the words “Comórtas Gaelport” as the subject of your mail.
The closing date for receipt of entries is 12 noon Thursday 13th December 2012.
We are grateful to An Gúm who kindly supplied the prize for this competition.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Success of Irish medium education clear in 2012 School League Tables
November 28, 2012
The Irish Times recently published this year’s School League Tables and this year’s list includes 11 Gaelscoileanna with a progression rate of 100% of students who continue onto third level education.
The annual list focuses on the main feeder schools to universities from around the country and this year’s report shows a significant increase in the number of schools with a success rate entitling them to feeder school status.
As with most years, fee-paying schools lead the way on the 2012 School League Tables but this year’s report shows that the number of schools with a 100% progression rate has doubled in the last year from 56 to 121. This figure means that 17% of Ireland’s 724 secondary schools are now sending all of their students on to third level education and this year, there ar 11 Gaelscoileanna among that 17%:
• Coláiste Íosagáin, Stllorgan
• Coláiste Eoin, Stillorgan
• Coláiste Íde, An Daingean
• Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí
• Coláiste Ailigh, Letterenny
• Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair
• Gairmscoil Fheichín Naofa, Corr na Móna, Galway
• Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach
• Scoil Mhuire, Corcaigh
• Coláiste Laurel Hill FCJ, Limerick
• Coláiste Chomain, Mayo
Coláiste Íosagáin, Stillorgan has been named the school with the fourth highest progression rate to higher points courses in the country, 100% of 76 students were offered places. Coláiste Eoin (100%) was named as the school with the tenth highest success rate when it comes to higher points courses (98%) and both schools were included in the Top 5 schools in County Dublin. Coláiste Cois Life, Lucan, with an overall rate of 79% was listed as the twentieth highest rated school in County Dublin.
Gaelcholáiste Reachrann, Donaghmede (90%) was listed in the Top 5 schools in North Dublin and Coláiste Mhuire, Cabra came in at number 20 (68%).
The league was established a decade ago when the average progression rate in schools was 70%, a figure that has now raised to 80%. Fee-paying schools, Gaelscoileanna and State –run schools in prosperous areas have continuously dominated the league and the following results taken from this year’s table show that Irish medium education is continuing to thrive in schools all around the country:
Gaelscoileanna progression rates:
• Coláiste Ráithín, Bray – 96%; Coláiste Chroí Mhuire Gan Smál, An Spidéal – 96%; Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Cork – 95%; Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne – 94%; Gaelcholáiste Mhuire, Cork – 91%; Gairmscoil Éinne, Inis Mór – 90%; Scoil Phobal Mhic Dara, Carna – 90%
• Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh – 88%; Coláiste Mhuire, Mayo – 88%; Coláiste Oiriall, Monaghan – 88%; Gael Choláiste Bhun Chranncha – 86%; Coláiste Chom Cille, Indreabhán – 85%
• Coláiste Ghobnatan, Baile Bhuirne – 78%; Scoil Chaitríona, Glasnevin, – 77%; Meán Scoil San Nioclás, Dún Garbhán – 73%; Gael-Choláiste Chill Dara – 73%; Coláiste Pobal Osraí, Kilkenny – 70%
• Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, Donegall – 69%; Coláiste de hÍde, Tallaght – 68%; Gairmscoil na bPiarsach, Ros Muc – 67%; Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, An Cheathrú Rua – 60%
• Coláiste Chillian, Clondalkin
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
‘Young and Irish’ – Gaeilge comes in first place
November 28, 2012
The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins extended an invitation to 100 young people from different backgrounds to attend a bilingual seminar entitled ‘Young and Irish’ at Áras an Uachtaráin last Saturday.
Gaelport.com spoke to Paula Melvin who hosted the night about her role in the budding youth movement and the different events which took place on the day.
What spurred your initial interest in the project ‘Young and Irish’?
The president had organised four regional workshops leading up the seminar in the Áras – one in Dublin, one in Cork, one in Monaghan and one in Galway.
As it happened, I was working with Conradh na Gaeilge when the workshop was on in Dublin so I attended the one in Cork. 100 young people aged between 17 and 26 attended the workshops and 100 people were chosen from those workshops to visit the Áras. I then received a call asking me to be ‘bean an tí’ on the day which I was delighted about! It was an honour to be invited let alone present the event.
The president made sure that Irish would be promoted on the day so me and another presenter collaborated and made the event bilingual. On top of that, 800 people participated in the project, putting their views forward on what’s important to them.
Had the suggestions already been drawn together?
Yes and no. Some lecturers at DIT had gathered the submissions from the workshops and from individuals who couldn’t attend the workshops and they were all presented to us as a draft on the day.
Lots of new suggestions came in on the day about education, equality, employment, enterprise and human rights and all of us voted on the issues which were most important to us.
One thing which took me by surprise was that a suggestion regarding the Irish Language came in first place making it the most important issue of the day. It outlines that Irish should be taught in two separate subjects for the Leaving Cert, suiting the differing standards at English speaking schools and Gaelscoileanna.
Not only did the Irish come in first place but a second suggestion regarding more opportunities to speak the language came in third place. Unbelievable! I’m over the moon that out of all the views expressed on the day, a concern for the Irish Language came in first and third place.
Was there a positive attitude towards Irish among young people at the seminar?
Absolutely! I spoke strongly about Irish at the workshop in Cork and nobody argued against me but I did hear that there were some negative comments at the other workshops – only small ones. Irish was very close to the hearts of the young people who visited the Áras and it was clear that even people who didn’t speak the language were very positive.
The Áras had done a lot of publicity on radio stations and in the regional and national newpapers and it was clear that a huge effort was made to bring a mixture of people together from a wide range of backgrounds to offer their input. I feel the youth of Ireland were fairly represented, which is great news for the language.
What steps will the Government take to ensure these suggestions are followed through with?
Well, I’m very grateful to the President for giving myself and the rest of the young people involved the chance to express our opinions on such a prestigious platform.
Our vision for the country has been presented to all the State Departments and many political advisers and we hope these advisers will take the right steps in making this vision a reality.
This is only the beginning of a bigger movement. Following on from the good work at the Áras, we intend to start a youth group made up of people who wish to mould the future of politics in the country.
Foilisthe ar Gaelport
More cuts for Irish medium education
November 28, 2012
The Department of Education and Skills announced today that the Irish language council COGG is to merge with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
A representative of the Department made the announcement to delegates of this year’s Irish medium education conference, organised by Gaelscoileanna and by Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta, held in Glaway.
COGG provides support services to Irish medium schools and post-primary Irish medium schools as well as Irish language resources and research in the area.
The body currently only employs two staff as the Department had ruled out filling internal vacancies in the organisation.
COGG was established under Article 31 of the Education Act 1998, after a long campaign by Irish language organisations
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, Gaelscoileanna and Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta.
Speaking at the conference today, Seán Ó Foghlú, Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills stated: “These new arrangements will allow COGG to concentrate its resources on its core functions of providing teaching resources to support the teaching of Irish in tandem with the NCCA’s work on revising the curriculum. The general administrative functions, which are a considerable burden on a small staff, will now be provided by the NCCA,”
“In this new arrangement, COGG will retain a separate identity under the aegis of the NCCA. The move will strengthen its ability to support Irish-medium education and the teaching of Irish generally”, he said.
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An Caifé Craosach – fís chluiche nua aimseartha ar fáil saor in aisce go hiomlán i nGaeilge
November 27, 2012
Leabhrán/CD nua “An tAifreann Naofa”
November 27, 2012
Peter Pan sa Taibhdhearc
November 27, 2012
Seán Ó Foghlú, Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills, addresses Annual Conference of Gaelscoileanna and Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta
November 27, 2012
Major changes for Irish and Irish-medium education signalled
Changes to the curriculum in Irish in Irish-medium and mainstream schools, compulsory oral Irish tests at junior cycle, the expansion of Irish-medium schooling, and improvements in Irish in teacher education are among the major developments signalled by Sean Ó Foghlú, Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills today.
In a wide-ranging speech to the joint annual conference of Gaelscoileanna and Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta in Galway, Mr Ó Foghlú said that the Department of Education and Skills was fully committed to implementing the ambitious actions in the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language.
The Department has prioritised key areas for action, including steps to increase the supply of Irish-medium schooling and the provision of better curricula for Irish in Irish-medium and mainstream schools.
Mr Ó Foghlú said, “The Department of Education and Skills will strive, over the life-time of the Strategy, to make Irish-medium education available to all students whose parents wish to avail of it.”
He cited the current process of divesting primary schools in areas of stable populations as an opportunity which could see more schools to operate as gaelscoileanna, should there be parental demand.
At post-primary level he said, “We will continue to identify areas where there is a need for a new gaelcholáiste in accordance with a threshold of demand of 400 pupils which is considerably lower than the equivalent 800 for English medium schools. We are also conscious of the need to explore the potential of other options such as Irish language units and Irish language streams.”
Mr Ó Foghlú also noted that substantial change was underway in initial teacher education. The changes are intended to strengthen the teaching of Irish in colleges and to ensure that teachers’ standards of Irish and their ability to teach the language are enhanced.
The Secretary General said that the Literacy and Numeracy strategy of the Department had recognised the need to revise the curriculum at primary and post-primary level and that this work was underway at the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
“We expect that the oral language test will be a compulsory part of the new syllabus and assessment requirements for Irish, in accordance with the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle launched last month by Minister Quinn,” he said.
In parallel at junior cycle, an optional additional short course in advanced Irish would be made available to use by students in Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools; this has been a long-standing demand of Irish-medium education interests.
“Such a short course would allow students in Irish-medium schools to study and gain credit for an ability in the language at a significantly advanced level,” he said.
Mr Ó Foghlú also announced that the Department had decided to integrate An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) under the aegis of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).
“These new arrangements will allow COGG to concentrate its resources on its core functions of providing teaching resources to support the teaching of Irish in tandem with the NCCA’s work on revising the curriculum. The general administrative functions, which are a considerable burden on a small staff, will now be provided by the NCCA,” he stated.
In this new arrangement, COGG will retain a separate identity under the aegis of the NCCA. The move will strengthen its ability to support Irish-medium education and the teaching of Irish generally.
€661,071 sanctioned for the promotion of the Irish Language in November 2012
November 21, 2012
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has sanctioned the collective value of €661,071 to bodies, groups and clubs based both within and outside the Gaeltacht.
This funding will go towards projects which are currently in development in the Gaeltacht areas of Co. Kerry, Co. Galway, Co. Donegal and Co. Waterford. The highest quantity of grants went to youth organisations and Summer Colleges with a value of €61,634 going to 11 Irish colleges across the country and €18,787 of that going to Coláiste Chiaráin in An Cheathrú Rua.
Minister of State Dinny McGinley sanctioned €5,000 to support the development of the Rugby Training Scheme in Corca Dhuibhne for the 2012/13 school year and €6,965 to the Gaoth Dobhair Scouts Club to buy camping equipment.
Among the larger grants which were sanctioned this month was a sum of €74,738 to Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta in Galway to found a new archive at Áras Shorcha Uí Ghuairim, Carna, Galway of material broadcast by RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta since its inception in 1971. It is hoped that the newly developed archive will comprise material which has national and international value.
A further €470,000 was awarded to aid the development of www.abair.ie, a research project at Trinity College Dublin. Watch this video to learn more about this project: Gaelport.com
In terms of Arts funding, the Minister of State sanctioned €4,475 to Scoil Cheoil Shliabh Liag to enable the committee to pay the costs of children’s music classes in the area. As well as that, €8,000 went to ‘Crann Óg’, na Doirí Beaga, Donegal to help promote the arts in the local area and €750 went to the committee of Machaire’s Junior Band in order to buy new instruments.
Among the other grants announced were €9,471 to the committee of Ionad Pobail Charraig Uí Bhaoill to buy a lawn mower and €6,082 which went to Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne to buy a photocopier and two projectors.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport
