Scoil Mhín na Manrach closes its gates for the last time
June 27, 2012
While primary students across the country revel in the thoughts of their school closing for the summer, pupils of Scoil Mhín na Manrach ar broken hearted at the fact that they will not return in September.
Having served the community for over 100 years, this school in Na Rosa has now closed its gates for the last time. Pupil numbers have fallen so low, the Department of Education and Skills took the decision to close the school.
On the school’s last day, as sole teacher and Principal Bernadette Ní Dhuibhir called the roll, only five names were called. Of these five, there were pupils in Senior Infants, First, Second, and Fifth Class. To comply with health and safety regulations, the management committee had to employ a full time secretary so that there would be two adults on site at all times. Of those enrolled, many were the third generation of their family to attend the school.
In 2008, €400,000 was spent on developments for the school which is nestled in the hills of Na Rossa. The school was more than adequately equipped, with resources and amenities to cater for up to 60 students, with interactive white boards, and twelve computers.
Talks are ongoing at the moment among the management committee in relation to an amalgamation with Scoil Chróine, a much larger school, 8km away, within the same parish. Scoil Chróine has a staff of 10 teachers plus a Principal, and caters for approximately 270 students.
While the students of Scoil Mhín na Manrach were studying entirely through Irish up until now, it would seem the language policy in the larger school in the parish is not as rigid, and many of the students would not themselves be native Irish speakers.
Bernadette NÍ Dhuibhir, Principal of Scoil Mhín na Manrach said the school was “at the heart of the community. The community are now lamenting the days where the familiar babble of school kids playing in the yard could be heard echoing across the hills, a sound which will be heard no longer”.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
State your priorities for primary level curriculum!
June 26, 2012
Seize the opportunity to state your priorities for primary level curriculum to the NCCA before this Saturday 30th June by answering the question in the link below. Please forward also to colleagues and friends.
It is vital that the Irish-medium sector voices its opinions and priorities. While the question is in English answers are welcomed as Gaeilge.
To support the advancement at primary level, we welcome your opinions on the priorities for primary level curriculum. As well as literacy and numeracy, what are the priorities that we should focus on in primary schools? In 100 words or less, please share your opinions with us.
€300,000 in grants for An Ghaeltacht
June 26, 2012
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has recently announced that €300,000 in funding for Gaeltacht areas will be rolled out in the coming months.
The funding has been allocated to several Gaeltacht areas in Galway, Kerry and Mayo.
The €300,000 in funding will have a huge effect on 6 separate projects announced by Minister of State Dinny McGinley during the month of June.
A wide range of projects, both current and new, will benefit from the funding made available by the Department.
The figures and the projects
A grant of €110,000 has been made available to An Gaelacadamh in Spidéal in support of their ongoing preservation and development of the local music, dance and song in the Gaeltacht region.
€100,000 has been granted to the Connacht branch of the GAA to go towards the educational football and handball scheme that is currently being rolled out in Conamara’s schools. The scheme is an opportunity for local schoolchildren to use and develop the language in a fun and informal setting.
Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne will receive €35,000 to assist in the continued employment of their current Irish language co-ordinator who will continue to serve the Corca Dhuibhne community.
A grant of €29,000 has been made available to go towards the annual salary of the current Irish language speech therapist also serving the Corca Dhuibhne community.
Galway County Council will receive €15,000 to assist in the building of a shelter at Cleggan Pier which will be utilised by the people of Inis Boffin.
€10,000 has been allocated for minor repair works in Coláiste Uisce, Mayo, and will also go towards further investment in water sports equipment.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
€1 Million Childcare Centre in Carna officially opened
June 26, 2012
Advancements on a new Childcare Centre in Carna which was officially opened on 18 June were made with an investment of €1 million funded by Pobal and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
“Without a doubt, the centre plays a critical role in providing pre-school and after school services and facilities through the medium of Irish for the local community”, State Minister Dinny McGinley said at the official opening of the Centre.
Forbairt Chonamara Láir played a central role in the development of the centre which has been providing services since September.
There are 40 children attending naíonra, Montessori and after school services and in addition to the Centre’s everyday functions, play groups and summer camps are also available which provide extra support for the local community.
The Centre employs eight childcare professionals and also stands as centre-point in terms of early education through Irish and supporting families raising children through Irish.
The Centre has developed significantly since it opened in September having extended the number of children attending services from 14 – 40 in that time.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
An tÁisaonad
June 26, 2012
Raidió RíRá
June 26, 2012
A new 24-hour Irish language radio station for young people has been given the green light by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. Raidió RíRá will broadcast on the digital platform and will aim to get young people using Irish on a daily basis. The station will be run by Raidió X Teoranta.
www.irishexaminer.com
Ministers visit local gaelscoil
June 26, 2012
Three Stormont ministers visited Derry’s Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir yesterday morning.
Culture minister Carál Ní Chuilín, education minister John O’Dowd, and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness visited the Gasyard school to celebrate its 14th anniversary.
During the visit, Ms Ní Chuilín announced a new target of 5,000 fluent Irish speakers as part of the Líofa 2015 initiative.
“I am delighted to be announcing an ambitious new target of getting 5,000 new fluent Irish speakers by 2015. There could be no more appropriate setting than Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir in Derry.
“The school has grown from strength to strength and is now a shining example of how the Irish language builds thriving communities based on inclusion, equality and respect. For fourteen years, the parents, governors, supporters and, most of all, children associated with the Gaelscoil have taken their ‘aisling’ – their dream – and made it a reality.”
www.derryjournal.com
Ó Domhnaill condemns axing of Gaeltacht Scholarships
June 26, 2012
The Government’s decision to axe Gaeltacht and Irish Language Scholarships is a disgrace and will damage efforts to promote our national language, according to Donegal Fianna Fáil Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill.
Senator Ó Domhnaill raised a motion in Seanad Éireann this week calling on the Government to reverse these damaging cuts, announced in Budget 2012 and to reinstate the DEIS status of Pobal Scoil Gaoth Dobhair and PCC Falcarragh. He said: “I consider these cuts an attack on the Irish language,” and said it would be a disgrace to remove them on the eve of the 100th Anniversary of the Easter Rising.”
He noted that students at Pobal Scoil Gaoth Dobhair and PCC Falcarragh will no longer be eligible to apply as they are no longer DEIS designated.
“It is incredible to think that almost all the primary schools feeding into both of these secondary schools have DEIS status but this is not retained at secondary level. There appears to be no consistency in supports here,” he concluded.
www.donegaldemocrat.ie
‘Diplomatic’ pupils help give 90- year- old Gaelscoil a facelift
June 26, 2012
It is the oldest Gaelscoil in the country, and perhaps a little bit of experience helped in diplomatic negotiations for a new extension.
Scoil Bhride Gaelscoil in Ranelagh in Dublin is over 90 years old and has a fantastic location. But since it overlooks the Canadian Embassy, any building work can be a somewhat delicate issue. Education Minister Ruairi Quinn confirmed this yesterday, alluding to a call to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa to assauge any fears they might have had about the construction work.
“After promising that the children would not compromise the national security of Canada or steal any state secrets, they agreed,” he joked.
And the children sang Canadian Leonard Cohen’s classic ‘ Hallelujah’ – in Irish, of course – for their neighbours and the assembled guests. Principal Triona Ui Mhaoldomhnaigh addressed the gathering of proud parents and happy children, thanking them all for their hard work in bringing the project in on time and under budget.
The country’s first Gaelscoil was founded in 1917 by Louise Gavan Duffy, one of the few women to participate in the 1916 Easter Rising. Building of the extension began in October and while it caused severe disruption to school life, the 390 children didn’t miss a single day.
“There has always been a great spirit in the school. Some of our students have been moved around two or three times during the course of the building but everyone just got on with it, they’ve all be fantastic,” Ms Ui Mhaoldomhnaigh said.
She made her speech in both Irish and English, and Mr Quinn, for one, was thankful for that.
“Nil Gaeilge maith agam,” he admitted before regaling his audience with the tale of his epic road, ferry and currach journey to the Aran Islands some 54 years ago. The trip even inspired him to change the spelling of his name to the Irish way – Ruairi. The major structural make- over was the first building work carried out on the school in over 40 years, with prefabs used for extra students previously.
www.independent.ie
Launch of the European Year 2012 Awards:Honouring the best initiatives that promote active ageing and solidarity between generations Brussels, 21 June 2012.
June 26, 2012
As part of the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012, the European Commission is launching the European Year 2012 Awards in order to celebrate organisations and individuals that promote active ageing through their activities.
“Workplaces for all Ages”: This category recognises the best initiatives by employers, trade unions and not-for-profit organisations that promote better working conditions for older employees.
“Towards Age-Friendly Environments”: This category recognises outstanding initiatives by regional or local authorities that create an inclusive and accessible local environment which facilitates active ageing and has a positive effect on health and on the quality of life of all generations.
“Social Entrepreneurs”: This category recognises the most successful initiatives undertaken by social entrepreneurs in promoting active ageing and solidarity between generations.
“Reporting on Ageing and Relations between Generations”: This category recognises journalists whose work has made a significant contribution to a better understanding of the challenges presented by an ageing society and how they can be tackled, thus raising the level of the public debate and promoting better policymaking.
“Life Story Challenge”: This category celebrates the life stories of older people. Members of the younger generation are invited to tell the story of an older person (a family member, neighbour, friend, etc.) and present the noteworthy contribution the “active ager” is making in the family, in society, or at work.
“Generations@school Competition”: Launched in March 2012, this competition invites all schools in Europe to open the doors of their classrooms to older people. Children and older people have the opportunity to reflect together on what they can learn from each other and how to work together for a better future. Participating schools can upload photos on a dedicated website by 30 June 2012. The most creative intergenerational projects will be recognised.
More information on the Awards and on how to participate is available on the award website http://europa.eu/ey2012/.
The competition is open until 1 September 2012, and all citizens of EU Member States and those of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway may take part.
The finalists in each category will be invited to the EY2012 Active Ageing Awards ceremony, which is planned to take place in November in Brussels.
Contact: EY2012awards@paueducation.com or Andrea Ricciarelli, ICWE GmbH
Tel: +49 (0)30 310 18 18 43
Fax: +49 (0)30 324 98 33
andrea.ricciarelli@icwe.net
