Seolann Conradh na Gaeilge clár chúrsaí Gaeilge do 2013-14
September 11, 2013
Call for Irish speakers to help visually impaired
September 11, 2013
Childvision is looking for volunteers with Irish language skills to support its DAISY project and provide Irish language resources to the visually impaired.
The volunteers will be taking part in the project where sound files will be recorded to accompany digital talking books. DAISY stands for digital accessible information system and is a digital talking book which is a multimedia representation of a print publication.
National Braille Production at ChildVision is based in Drumcondra in Dublin and was established to meet the educational needs of children with a visual impairment attending either mainstream or special education at both primary and secondary level.
Volunteers will need to have fluent Irish, a good speaking voice, basic computer literacy and available to volunteer during working hours in-house.
For further information contact project manager Aisling mcDonagh at amcdonagh@childvision.ie.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
An tÁisaonad ag ceiliúradh 15 bliain ach neamhchinnteacht ann faoin todhchaí
September 10, 2013
All-Irish language ethos protected under draft Education Bill
September 10, 2013
The language ethos of all-Irish primary and secondary schools will be recognised under the Admission to Schools Bill 2013.
There are concerns however, regarding the implications for the quality and experience of Irish medium education as a result of measures detailed in the draft Bill.
The Admission to Schools Bill has been drafted with a view to remove any discriminatory practices from the Ireland’s school admissions system, both ar primary and secondary level.
Proposals within the draft Bill include a limited application period for all schools, strict rules regarding entry fees and the clearing of waiting lists over a set period of time.
Education groups welcomed last week’s publication of the draft Bill by Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn. Certain aspects of the draft Bill however, have caused concern within the education sector and the Irish medium education sector has expressed deep concern regarding the effects some measures within the draft Bill could have on the ethos of all-Irish schools.
While the sector welcomed the decision not to block all-Irish schools from giving preference to children from Irish-speaking households, and the decision not to discount the preference for gaelscoileanna as feeder schools, other aspects of the draft Bill could create huge challenges for Irish-medium education.
As it stands, the draft Bill proposes the removal of any interview process with parents or children before enrolment. However, according to Gaelscoileanna Teoranta, the primary organisation within the Irish-medium education sector, an interview process is a common practice in schools where demand exceeds places as an interview process may be used to assess the language ability and habits of a family during the enrolment process.
Concern was also raised by the lack of recognition given to early immersion learning with in the draft Bill. It proposes that gaelscoileanna may not give preference to those who attended Naíonraí or Irish language pre-schooling, an important aspect in the current enrolment process.
The draft Bill will go to an Oireachtas Committee for consideration where recommendations for amendments will be heard. Chief Executive of Gaelscoileanna Teo., Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin said that the organisation looks forward to taking part in the consultation process which is due to begin in the next few weeks and schools across the country and welcomes schools across the country to make their thoughts regarding the practical implications known.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
BEO 2013 – Comórtas d’amhráin nuachumtha as Gaeilge
September 9, 2013
Futa Fata Newsletter
September 9, 2013
Croí Éanna Events Sept – Dec 2013
September 9, 2013
Taoiseach Launches “Get Active” Guiding Framework
September 9, 2013
Framework allows for a co-ordinated approach to physical education, physical activity and sport for children and young people.
The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, today formally launched the Get Active Guiding Framework, which aims to create a co-ordinated approach to physical education, physical activity and sport in school and community settings for children and young people.
Speaking at the launch, the Taoiseach said: “Physical activity is great for body and mind. This Government is committed to making Ireland a healthier place to live. To achieve this, provision for physical education, physical activity and sport must be focussed, effective and sustainable. If we do this well, our children and young people will enjoy better health, a more balanced education and a more equitable and inclusive society in the future. Get Active builds on the work of the Healthy Ireland framework to promote a healthy society with well-being valued and supported.”
Developed in partnership by the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Health, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Get Active seeks to promote children’s well-being and interests.
The Framework can be used by organisations and individuals according to their needs. It is not prescriptive or exhaustive in detail as it is more about encouraging dialogue and generating new ideas.
Celebrate a Celtic birthday with Fíbín
September 6, 2013
VERCINGETORIX HAS gone down in history as the Gaullish leader who in 52BC led the uprising against Julian Caesar’s conquest of his country.
Today he is revered as a proto-French patriot and there are memorials to him across France. However Vercingetorix will come alive in Connemara to narrate the history of the Celtic peoples.
Fíbín Theatre Company will bring a vast rock-face to life in Stair na gCeilteach/History of the Celts, a free outdoor videomapping spectacle on Friday September 13 and Saturday 14 at the Quarry, Furnace Road, Camus.
This action-packed story is told through the eyes of Vercingetorix, who is celebrating his 3,000th birthday. Stair na gCeilteach also marks Fíbín’s 10th birthday. The company is celebrated for its visual theatre which features masks, puppets, video projections, and shadow puppetry.
This is the company’s first sitespecific show and first time to use video-mapping, a state-of-the-art technology of mapping the contours of any surface and projecting moving images onto it. Stair na gCeilteach is directed by Rod Goodall and features music by the award-winning Galway choir Cois Cladaigh and soloist Sarah Grealish.
The show is a collaboration between Fíbín and video-mapping artists Improbable Films from Madrid and forms part of the programme for Culture Connects.
Tickets are free but must be reserved by contacting fibinteo@gmail.com or 091 – 593823. For more information see www.fibin.com
www.advertiser.ie/galway
Comórtas BEO!
September 6, 2013
Thosaigh BEO mar scéim idirbhliana sa bhliain 2009. With an annual prize fund of €10,000 Comórtas BEO has developed into a national competition.
Is iad seo a leanas aidhmeanna BEO:
- Bannaí ceoil óga Éireannach a chuir chun cinn
- Suim sa cheol a spreagadh i measc an idirbhliain agus daoine óga
- An teanga Ghaeilge a chuir chun cinn
BEO was founded by transition year students from Coláiste Ailigh , St. Eunan’s College, Loreto Convent and Errigal College. All of these schools are located in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
BEO aims to get young people interested in music by encouraging them to organise a series of concerts in their local area. Students are in charge of every aspect of the organisational process – booking the acts, promotion of events, filming of concerts etc. This encourages an interest in live music, while helping students develop a wide range of organisational and communication skills.
This project also puts a firm emphasis on the Irish language and seeks to encompass it in the organisational process – “Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste, ná Bearla cliste”.
BEO’s involvement in an NDRC hosted competition over 6 weeks led to the student led development of www.beoireland.com
Following our success in this national competition we started our own National BEO competition backed by the Donegal VEC now Donegal NTB and Donegal County Council. Since its start, over 35 schools have participated in Comórtas BEO with winner Bridgetown Community School, Co Wexford in 2012 and Scoil Phól Kilfinane, Co Limerick in 2012.
Finalists were asked to make a presentation to some celebrity judges outlining why their school hosted the best concert. These were, Jackie Hayden from Hot Press ,well respected author of many music related books but perhaps is best known for the person who first signed U2, Paddy Mc Kenna musician and 2FM presenter, Mary O Hagan who is the senior Producer of the Matt Cooper show on Today FM, Cian Mc Carthy musician and Radio na Life presenter, Brian Fisher of Practice Makes Perfect Event and The Nerve Centre in Derry and Deaglan Mac Eamharcaigh In Their Thousands.
The first step in setting up a BEO programme is the formation of a BEO committee. The committee consists of a group of young volunteers who wish to see BEO succeed. Once a committee is formed, it is important to delegate jobs to each member that reflect their relevant strengths. Many of these roles complement skills that are developed in specific secondary school classes. Jobs include;
- Director Responsible for keeping the project moving forward, meeting deadlines and ensuring all aspects of the project are synchronized (Ideal work for Business students / students with excellent communication skills)
- Webpage coordinator Responsible for keeping BEO.com up to date with photos, calendars and video of recent activity (Ideal for computer class students)
- Graphic Designer Responsible for all poster, flyer, T shirt design and other advertising (ideal for art class students)
- Writers Responsible for writing for local newspapers see link www.donegaldaily/writingtips.com (Ideal for English and Irish class)
- Sales Responsible for ticket printing, sales and marketing (BEO can be funded by selling 140 ticket at €5 each) (Ideal for business class)
- Facebook personnel Responsible for promoting the facebook profile of BEO and participating bands (Good communication/web skills necessary)
- BEO blog Responsible for keeping a diary of all BEO activity. This could also translate to a BEO twitter account (Ideal for English and Irish clas)
- Oifigeach Gaeilge Responsible for accuracy of Irish used in the promotion of BEO (Ideal for Irish class)
- Photographers Responsible for keeping a photographic account of all BEO events for Facebook and webpage (Ideal for media or art students)
- BEO TV Responsible for recording and editing footage of BEO, conducting interviews of bands/ fans and uploading to Youtube www.youtube/tips.com (Ideal for media and computer students)
- Statistics Responsible for gathering statistical information related to BEO events. These statistics can be used to better plan upcoming BEO events using good questioning. See www.surveymonkey.com. (Ideal for students with an interest in maths or business)
- Construction Responsible for ensuring the stage area is in order. Keep in mind that a venue will always need a little work on the day of an event e.g bins, table for the doorman (Ideal for students familiar with musical equipment)
- Welcome committee Responsible for meeting visiting youth groups, bands and other guests. Prepare refreshments for group leaders and bands after a long journey and organise a tuck shop (Ideal for students who took part in mini-company)
This list is nowhere near complete and serves only as a rough guideline. BEO can draw on skills learned in almost every class in secondary school. It’s possible to run a BEO event with only a few of the above personnel, however, the more people that are involved, the greater the overall experience.
There has also been a concerted effort to increase teen social conscience with Wrockshops incorporated into the events (e.g. AA, Garda Road Safety, Aware etc).
BEO has grown each year and in 2014 aims to increase participation in Comórtas BEO to 50 schools nationally (North and South). A team is being prepared to visit 30 schools throughout the country. If you feel that your school is in a position to learn more please contact us ASAP as we have only a small number of spaces left on the calander.
Comórtas BEO 2013/14 will be launched in Scoil Phól Kilfinane, Co Limerick on October 4 (Eurovision style) with 70 Letterkenny based students travelling south to the event. The following day a presentation will be made as a part of FÉILTE, World Teachers Day hosted by The Teaching Council in Dublin.
2014 also see Bliain na Gaeilge and we are also hosting another national competition in conjunction with Foras na Gaeilge with a first prize of €3,000 for the writing and preforming of an original song in the Irish language. This competition is open to teenagers in schools and clubs all over the country. The final of this competition will be held during the Oireachtas.
Lastly BEO is a volunteer run operation(Carmel, Seosamh, Eoin and some egger TY students) with as yet no commercial backing and to this end we must thank our sponsors over the years, Donegal ETB, Donegal County Council, Foras na Gaeilge and Clr Dessie Larkin for providing funding to keep the Comórtas alive.
Contacts
www.beoireland.com
Seosamh Mac Ceallabhuí
0879068709
seosmac@gmail.com
