Eagla ar Choláiste Ráithín go mbeidh a rás rite go luath
May 2, 2012
Sligo group wins Siansa Gael Linn
May 1, 2012
Young traditional music talent took the stage of the National Concert Hall on Sunday for the grand final of Siansa Gael Linn with Sligo’s newest musical hope, Teaspach taking the Siansa Gael Linn crown for this year.
The octet from the Sligo Grammar School, followed the footsteps of other alumni who previously won the national title in 2009.
Members of the group include Áine Ní Mháirtín, Nell Ní Cheallaigh, Gearóid Ó Duibhir, Íde Ní Chionnaith, Jason Mac Aonghusa, Hannah Ní Cheallaigh, Peadar Ó Maonaigh and Pádraig Ó Gabháin.
Fataí Fánacha from Coláistí Eoin and Íosagáin in Dublin took second place with Galwegian’s Macalla from Corofin in third place.
New Language Support Scheme to replace Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge
May 1, 2012
A new government scheme to promote the Irish language will focus on Gaeltacht families but information will available to other families wishing to raise their families through Irish.
Last Thursday Minister State for the Gaeltacht Dinny McGinley TD announced the Family Language Support Scheme. The new support scheme will replace The Scéim labhairt na Gaeilge scheme that ceased at the end of the last school year.
Speaking at the launch in Indreabhán, Co. Galway. The Minister of State said the language support scheme involves a “new approach” that will make a “considerable difference” to the implementation of the 20-Year-Strategy on the ground.
The date implementation of the full programme is stlll unknown but it is set to be done in twelve policy areas.
Information leaflet
The first step was the publication of an information leaflet for families availaing of maternity services in Galway, Letterkenny and Castlebar. The bilingual leaflet advises parents of sever advantages of learning Irish. The leaflet will be introduced to other hospitals serving families from other Gaeltacht areas over time.
Families will have to contact the Department however if they want to order a copy of the support pack upon receiving the leaflet.
The support scheme includes developing an awareness campaign in conjunction with the Health Service Executive (HSE) through distributing an information leaflet detailing the advantages of raising children through Irish, to expectant mothers and mothers of new-born babies.
An awareness campaign directed toward pre married couples in conjunction with the relevant church authorities will also be developed and assistance will be provided to community based organisation in organising language related events.
Summer Camps Expansion
The Department intends to broaden out its summer camp schemes currently available to 4-7 year old age group, to those aged 3-6 years old and 7-14 years old and the Department will no longer recognise summer camps with more than 50 participants.
The language assistance scheme will be further developed under the new support scheme by developing the programme to cater for students in Gaeltacht Schools to increase their standard of Irish. Extra reading, visual and oral support will be provided to the language assistance and a working and training programme will be developed for language assistance in conjunction with organisations who operate the scheme on behalf of the Department.
Programme to go “Viral”
The new scheme will also develop teenagers aged 15-17 years leadership skills by organising training programmes where the can qualify to be Gaeltacht Summer College assistants.
The programme will also develop asocial media strategy using viral videos will be directed at young people with the aim informing them of the benefits of speaking Irish. A new portal web site will also be developed to inform parents of the Irish language resources available to them.
Until the website is developed however, the main point of contact will be through email and phone. Parents interested in taking part in the programme should call 091 503700 or email ctt@ahg.gov.ie
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Gaeltacht Scholarships
May 1, 2012
Trips to Irish colleges can be out of the reach of many but scholarships are available in many of the Irish language summer schools for many students.
Colaiste Laichtín on Inis Óirr is one such summer college which offers scholarships covering the cost of accommodation for the duration of the stay on the island.
Summer Colleges reward students who would like to improve and develop their Irish, if it is for Junior or Leaving Certificate exams or even just to gain confidence with the language according to Caomhan Ó Conghaile, Principal of the summer college.
There is also lots of fun to be had when students learn languages in a different environment to school. Various sports and other games are played in Irish such as soccer, basketball.
Courses last for three weeks and begin on June 4th, June 27th and July 20th. Application forms, rules and other information are available on http://www.colaistelaichtin.ie/
Fíbín in search of New Acting Talent
May 1, 2012
Fíbín are looking for fresh young acting talent from all across the country to take part in this year’s Drama School of Excellence in Irish this summer.
Fíbín is a theatre company based in the Connemara Gaeltacht that specializes in drama for the younger audience and has a unique innovative approach to theatre. Auditions will be arranged across the country and the best students will be chosen to proceed to the workshop in July.
Auditions will take place in the coming weeks in various locations all over Ireland.
The workshop itself will take place between the 2nd – 13th of July 2012.
The Drama Workshop will be open to teenagers between 15- 17 years on the 1st of September 2012.
Fluent Irish is a necessity, as is a passion for drama
Date: 30/04/12
Venue: Seanscoil Sailearna, Conamara, Co. Galway
Time: 4-6pm
Date: 02/5/12
Venue: Áras na Gaeilge (NUI Galway)
Time: 6-8pm
Date: 14/05/12
Venue: Jury’s Inn, Cork
Time: 6-8pm
Date: 22/05/12
Venue: Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo
Time: 6-8pm
Students who are interested in participating in the Fíbín Drama School of Excellence must send a CV with a recent photo to:
Angela Seoighe
Fíbín Teo.
Na hAille
Indreabhán
Co. na Gaillimhe.
For more information on the Fíbín Drama School of Excellence, contact Angela Seoighe at Fíbín, on 091-505855 or via email at meangadh@gmail.com
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Major announcements for Irish language
May 1, 2012
Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley T.D., has announced two significant initiatives under the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
“The Family Language Support Programme and the language planning process in the Gaeltacht involve a new approach that will make a considerable difference to the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy on the ground,” the Minister of State said at the launch in Galway.
The aim of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht’s Family Language Support Programme is to strengthen the Irish language as the household and community language in the Gaeltacht in accordance with the 20-Year Strategy. Under this programme, the Department intends to undertake 12 specific measures to support Gaeltacht families who are raising their children through Irish or who wish to raise their children through Irish.
The Minister of State announced that the Department has agreed with the co-operation of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to circulate an information leaflet, regarding the advantages of raising children through Irish, to expectant mothers and mothers of newborn babies. This awareness campaign will be initiated through the maternity services operating through the HSE in Galway city, Letterkenny and Castlebar. It is also intended to broaden this campaign to maternity services which serve other Gaeltacht areas.
In addition to the awareness campaign, the Minister of State announced the following new measures which will be implemented in conjunction with key stakeholders under the Family Language Support Programme:
* The Department’s Summer Camps Scheme will be enhanced to focus separately on 3 to 6 year olds and on 7 to 14 year olds (as opposed to the current 4 to 7 year old age group);
* Special training courses will be held for Gaeltacht teenagers between 15 and 17 years old who speak fluent Irish to enable them to work as assistants in the Irish language summer colleges;
* Community-based Gaeltacht committees/organisations will be assisted in organising suitable activities, e.g. parent and toddler/child groups;
* The Department’s Language Assistants Scheme will be developed in order to better serve children in Gaeltacht schools with regard to enrichment or acquisition of the Irish language; and
* A portal website for the Irish language will be developed to provide easy access to the public to Irish-language materials and resources. As part of this portal website, content will be developed online which will assist parents raising their children through Irish.
Language Planning Process
The Minister of State announced that the language planning process in the Gaeltacht is to begin. “I am delighted to get the language planning process in the Gaeltacht underway today. Under the Gaeltacht Bill 2012 which is currently being drafted, the Gaeltacht will be given a new definition based on language criteria as opposed to geographical areas, as is currently the case. In accordance with the 20-Year Strategy, a language plan will be developed at community level in all Gaeltacht areas,” the Minister of State said.
Under the language planning process, the Gaeltacht will be delineated into 19 distinct language planning areas. Each one of these areas will be required to prepare a language plan in due course. In order to implement a comprehensive and systematic language planning process in the Gaeltacht, the Minister of State indicated that he has invited 6 language planning areas to begin this process immediately.
The Minister of State said: “The language planning process is an opportunity for Gaeltacht communities. I expect the Department, the Údarás and the community-based organisations to work together to deliver this process.”
Language Planning Areas in the Gaeltacht
Under the language planning process, the intention is to delineate the Gaeltacht into 19 distinct language planning areas of which 6 areas including Gaoth Dobhair, Rann na Feirste, Anagaire, Loch an Iúir, Cloich Chionnaola, Gort an Choirce, Toraigh, An Fál Carrach, Machaire Rabhartaigh have been invited to start this process immediately.
www.donegaldemocrat.ie
