Principal appointed to Gaelscoil an Chuilinn, new school to open in September 2012
June 11, 2012
AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA and GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. would like to congratulate the newly-appointed principal of Gaelscoil an Chuilinn, Fergus Ó Conghaile. Gaelscoil an Chuilinn is a new, coeducational Irish-medium school under the patronage of AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA which will open for the first time in September 2012 on the Powerstown Road in Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15.
With plenty of experience of the Irish-medium education system and previous posts held in developing schools, Fergus is very keen to take up his new role. “I’m honoured to take the lead role in the development of Gaelscoil an Chuilinn” he said. “The goal will be to provide an excellent standard of education through the medium of Irish, as well as a sense of Irish cultural heritage and mutual understanding in a temperate environment. I saw this in practice when I taught in Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh and Gaelscoil na Camóige, two schools which provide an excellent standard of education. Our aim in Gaelscoil an Chuilinn will be to encourage the children, to bring out the best in every child and to help them to pursue goodness in all aspects of their lives.”
The school will open with junior and senior infant classes and will have an inter-denominational religious ethos. Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, General Secretary of AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA, wishes Fergus every success in his new role. “This is a great opportunity for him and for his staff to establish a valuable educational, cultural and Irish-language resource for the area” said Mr. Ó hEaghra. “Irish-medium schools are catalysts for all kinds of development in their local communities. AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA has every confidence in Fergus. Gaelscoil an Chuilinn will flourish under his direction and AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA will be there to support it in every way, helping it to become an excellent school.”
“On behalf of GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. and all of the Irish-medium schools in the country, I would like to congratulate Fergus on his appointment and congratulate all those involved with Gaelscoil an Chuilinn on the tremendous progress they have made and all that they have achieved” said Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin, CEO of GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. “We’re looking forward to supporting the school over the coming year and in all the years to come, as it goes from strength to strength.”
The opening of this new Irish-medium school provides a great opportunity for the children enrolling in September, and for generations of children to come who will enjoy the benefits of an Irish-medium education. The whole school community is looking forward to working with Fergus, and parents who have registered their children with the school will have an opportunity to meet with him soon. To register your child’s name or for further information on Gaelscoil an Chuilinn, contact the school on 086 323 6187 or email gaelscoilanchuilinn@gmail.com.
ENDS
Further information:
AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA
Caitríona Bairéad, Development Officer :: caitriona@foras.ie :: 01-6294110 :: www.foras.ie
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO.
Clare Spáinneach, Development Officer :: cspainneach@gaelscoileanna.ie :: 01- 853 5193 :: www.gaelscoileanna.ie
NOTES FOR THE EDITOR:
AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is the largest patron of Irish medium schools is Ireland at both primary and secondary level. There are 61 primary schools and 3 secondary schools are under its patronage..AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is a patron of Irish-medium schools that have a choice of Catholic, Multidenominational and Interdenominational (Catholic / Protestant) ethos. The vision of AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is to develop, strengthen and promote education through the medium of Irish throughout the country. AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is recognized by the Department of Education and Science as a patronage system which is acceptable and appropriate for first and second level schools. AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA was founded in 1993 so that new gaelscoileanna opening in the coming years would have another choice with regard to patronage www.foras.ie.
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is the coordinating body for Irish-medium schools. The organisation was founded in 1973 as a national volunteer organisation to support the development of Irish-medium schools at primary and post-primary level. It provides motivation, assistance and practical support to parents and local communities who wish to found new schools and it operates according to demand. There are 175 Irish-medium primary schools and 41 Irish-medium post-primary schools outside Gaeltacht areas at present.
Smiles all round as Irish higher-level is plain sailing
June 8, 2012
Students at the all-Irish Coláiste Daibhéid in Cork City were pleased with the first Junior Certificate Irish papers.
All 40 of the city centre school’s Junior Certificate candidates took yesterday’s higher-level exam, said deputy principal Richel Ní Longaigh.
Bronagh Ní Tornáil from Blarney said Paper 1 in the morning was “grand”, and thought the listening test at the beginning was particularly easy.
“I was nervous going in but it was grand afterwards, once you get in there everything is fine,” said Bronagh.
Her classmate, Aoife Nic Ruairí from Douglas, was also pleased with the morning’s higher-level exam, but felt Paper 2 in the afternoon might be a bit more stressful.
“It’s going to be harder alright, but it should be okay because we’ve been learning through Irish.
“It definitely gives us an advantage on other students,” she said.
So much so, in fact, she thought Irish Paper 1 was easier than the equivalent English exam on the first day of the Junior Certificate 24 hours earlier. One exam she was not looking forward to, however, is history next week.
“There’s so much writing and learning involved,” she said.
For Dean Ó Torpa, yesterday morning’s Irish Paper 1 was also plain sailing “There’s more pressure in the afternoon. The poetry particularly is harder,” he said.
But the teenager from Mahon was glad to have the first couple of exams behind him. “I thought English was okay as well.”
After all the pressure and build-up, said Bronagh, starting the Junior Certificate was like sitting any summer tests.
“There’s so much pressure on us to do well in the Junior Cert but when you get there, it’s just like another test,” agreed Dean.
Both he and Aoife must wait until the music exam on Wednesday week, June 20, before the Junior Certificate is over.
But Bronagh has a much quicker sweep, as she finishes next Thursday after her science exam.
All three have 11 subjects to take exams in, but students starting the Junior Certificate course in two years should have no more than eight exam subjects, an idea that this group welcomes.
“It’s a better idea, then after Junior Cert you can choose your other subjects for the Leaving,” said Bronagh.
A more immediate change, taking effect this year, is the allocation of 40% of marks for Leaving Certificate Irish to the oral test, instead of the 25% previously given to it.
“We’re learning everything through Irish already so we’ll hopefully have an advantage over everyone,” said Dean.
www.irishexaminer.com
Unexpected Irish Questions cause confusion
June 8, 2012
Trapattoni, Justin Bieber and Jedward provided topical but “challenging” questions in the higher level Junior Cert paper, one teacher felt.
For those listening to the higher level aural tape, there were a couple of “tough, bordering on unfair, and unexpected questions”, according to Robbie Cronin of the ASTI and Marian College, Dublin. “One question was to write down the title of the Réamhaisnéis na hAimsire – the weather forecast. My students were surprised and couldn’t answer it,” Mr Cronin said, adding the news item about the Young Scientist also caused confusion.
The reading comprehension pieces centred around an Irish teenage radio station, Raidio Ri- Ra, and Justin Bieber, which provided topical but challenging questions, said Mr Cronin.
However, the ASTI’s Richie Mac Liam from Chanel College, Dublin 5, felt the comprehensions were not as “straightforward” as in other years.
He said the comprehension question was still asking pupils to put answers in their own words, even though they wouldn’t get more marks than if they repeated what was in the text.
Mr Cronin said a glossary should have been provided for certain difficult words – such as ‘ craoladh sealadach’, meaning temporary broadcast. The choice of essay topics – featuring the Irish soccer team – were heralded as good and topical.
In Paper 2, the unseen prose question was described as “challenging but student- friendly”.
A broad glossary was provided for difficult words in the poetry section which underlines the unfairness of using similar difficult words in paper one, Mr Cronin argued.
Overall, most teachers agreed that the ordinary level paper did not appear to cause any major difficulties.
www.independent.ie
Being a true Belieber pays off academically
June 8, 2012
Junior Cert Irish: For once, the hours spent mooning over teen idol Justin Bieber weren’t a waste of time.
Being a true Belieber paid off academically as the singer played a starring role in yesterday’s Junior Cert higher level Irish paper 1.
The exam was well received by students discussing it on social networks. The higher level exam featured comprehension pieces about Bieber and Raidió Rí Rá, a teen radio station that runs throughout Seachtain na Gaeilge.
“The pieces were topical but the questions were challenging,” said ASTI representative Robbie Cronin, a teacher in Marian College, Ballsbridge. He added that there should have been a glossary of terms for some of the more unusual words. “Féirín means present, for example, but the word most people would have for present is bronntanas,” he said.
Topical essay choices were good, according to Cronin.
Unfortunately, a minor error managed to slip past the exam proofreaders. “There was a question in the grammar section which was already answered,” said Cronin. “There was no gap for them to put in the answer. It wasn’t worth many marks but it shouldn’t really be happening.”
The listening comprehension threw up a few issues.
Some of the questions asked were “tough, bordering on unfair and unexpected”, Cronin said. “Students were asked to write down the title of the Réamhfhaisnéis na hAimsire [weather forecast] announcement. My students were surprised by this and couldn’t answer it.”
The new-look ordinary level paper was well received generally, although again it was challenging in parts. Comprehension passages about Jedward and Giovanni Trappatoni were topical but some of the vocabulary used was difficult for the level, according to Bláithín Ní Liatháin, who teaches in Kylemore College, Ballyfermot.
www.irishtimes.com
Raidió na Gaeltachta to broadcast Scléip documentary series at 09.00 this Saturday!
June 7, 2012
Scléip is the national talent competition catering specifically for Irish-medium and Gaeltacht post-primary schools. The competition began in 2005 and it has grown steadily since then. The aim of the competition is to encourage pupils attending Irish medium secondary schools to use their Irish through the various performing arts by giving them the opportunity to take part in a innovative and exciting event.
Raidió na Gaeltachta recorded the regional heats and final of Scléip 2012 and we are delighted to announce the broadcast dates of the 5 programmes:
- Leinster Heat: 9th June 9.00 am
- Munster Heat: 16th June 9.00 am
- Ulster Heat: 23rd June 9.00 am
- Connaught Heat: 30th June 9.00 am
- Final: 7th July 9.00 am
Congratulations again to the winners and their schools and many thanks to Fiachna Ó Braonáin and his team at Raven Productions who recorded the competition this year on behalf of Raidió na Gaeltachta.
Irish language bodies welcome report
June 7, 2012
IRISH LANGUAGE organisations have welcomed the contents of an Oireachtas report which recommends that funding for the sector should not be subject to competitive tender.
The focus of the report, published yesterday by the Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht, was a funding model proposed by Foras na Gaeilge which would see an end to the existing grant-in-aid system to 19 Irish language promotion organisations that receive their core funding from the body.
Under the proposed model, the organisations would have to compete on a three-yearly basis for funds to implement schemes planned by Foras.
Critics say the new approach would result in a commercialisation of a sector that is community-based and would endanger the work and services offered by grassroots Irish language organisations.
Kevin De Barra, acting director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, described the report as “a positive step for the Irish language voluntary sector”. He said the organisations and Foras now needed to “co-operate together to undertake comprehensive research on the current work of the Irish language voluntary sector.
“All parties must work to come up with the best possible way forward for the sector, so that services can be provided to the public in the most efficient and effective manner.”
Donnchadh Ó hAodha, president of Conradh na Gaeilge, said: “Conradh na Gaeilge and Aontas Phobal na Gaeilge are recommending a system of partnerships to ensure the public gets value for money and a more efficient service by encouraging organisations to work together, not to compete against one another.
“It is a great boost to have the support of the Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht for this recommendation.”
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and Conradh na Gaeilge have now called on Foras and the Ministers of the North-South Ministerial Council to incorporate the recommendations in any future discussions on a how the Irish language sector should be funded.
http://www.irishtimes.com/
Corn Ghlór na nGael na mBuachaillí
June 6, 2012
Stádas na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht: Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge 2010/2011
June 6, 2012
PUBLIC MEETINGS: NEW IRISH-MEDIUM SCHOOLS OPENING IN STEPASIDE AND TALLAGHT IN 2013
June 5, 2012
Parents who would like to enrol their children in one of the new Irish-medium schools due to open in Stepaside and Tallaght in 2013 are invited to come along to get more information about the new schools, and anyone interested in helping to promote the new schools will be especially welcome. These public meetings are being organised by An Foras Pátrúnachta and GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. on Tuesday, June 26th 2012 at 8pm in Bewley’s Hotel, Leopardstown, Dublin 18 and on Wednesday, June 27th 2012 in the Maldron Hotel, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
Both organisations greatly welcomed the announcement made in March by Minister Ruairí Quinn that two new Irish-medium schools will open in Stepaside and Tallaght in September 2013, with An Foras Pátrúnachta as their patron.
Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, General Secretary of An Foras Pátrúnachta, the largest single patron for Irish-medium schools, said, “It’s great news that a new Gaelscoil will open in Stepaside and another in Tallaght. Irish-medium education is going from strength to strength, particularly with three new schools set to open in Dublin under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta in 2012 and 2013.” The school in Stepaside will be the second in the area to open under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta; Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille opened in 1995 and has been growing rapidly ever since. Mr. Ó hEaghra went on to say that “the new Gaelscoileanna will greatly add to these areas and will satisfy the huge demand there for Irish-medium education.” GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. also welcomes the opening of the new schools. The organisation’s CEO, Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin, had this to say about the developments in the Irish-medium education sector; “We’re delighted that recognition is being given to the huge demand for Irish-medium schools with the sanction of two new schools for these areas. Our organisation has been involved in the establishment and development of Irish-medium schools on a national level for 40 years now, and the growth of the movement is proof of a wider and better understanding amongst parents of the many benefits enjoyed by children who attend Irish-medium schools. Parents understand that an excellent standard of education is provided in Irish-medium schools and that they cater for children from all socioeconomic and linguistic backgrounds and of all levels of ability. This gives children in Stepaside and Tallaght the opportunity to benefit from this very effective system of education.”
Parents will have the opportunity to register their children with the new schools at these meetings, and the staff of An Foras Pátrúnachta and GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. will be on hand to speak to parents and answer any questions they might have. Information will be provided on the new schools, the benefits of Irish-medium education and how parents can be involved in the set-up and promotion of these new schools. We would be delighted to see you there if you’re interested in registering your child, in getting more information or in volunteering for a role in the future of the new schools.
Further information:
An Foras Pátrúnachta
Caitríona Bairéad, Development Officer :: caitriona@foras.ie :: 01-6294110 :: www.foras.ie
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO.
Clare Spáinneach, Development Officer :: cspainneach@gaelscoileanna.ie :: 01- 853 5193 :: www.gaelscoileanna.ie
Notes for Editors:
An Foras Pátrúnachta was founded in 1993 so that new gaelscoileanna opening in the coming years would have another choice with regard to patronage. An Foras Pátrunachta is a national patron for both primary and second level schools. An Foras Pátrúnachta is the patron of 61 primary schools and 3 secondary schools.
An Foras Pátrúnachta is a patron of Irish medium schools that have a choice of Catholic, Interdenominational and Multidenominational ethos. The vision of An Foras Pátrúnachta is to develop, strengthen and promote education through the medium of Irish throughout the country.
An Foras Pátrúnachta is recognized by the Department of Education and Science as a patronage system which is acceptable and appropriate for first and second level schools.
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is the coordinating body for Irish-medium schools. The organisation was founded in 1973 as a national volunteer organisation to support the development of Irish-medium schools at primary and post-primary level. It provides motivation, assistance and practical support to parents and local communities who wish to found new schools and it operates according to demand. There are 175 Irish-medium primary schools and 41 Irish-medium post-primary schools outside Gaeltacht areas at present.
Details of the public meetings:
26/06/2012 at 20:00
Stepaside
Bewley’s Hotel, Central Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18
27/06/2012 at 20:00
Tallaght: Firhouse/Old Bawn
Maldron Hotel, Whitestown Way (N81), Tallaght, Dublin 24
Andrew McKimm: Leaving Cert: it’s an Irish renaissance as hostilities cease
June 5, 2012
An Englishman gave us back our flag — and now we are reclaiming our own language from extreme republicanism, writes Andrew McKimm
THIS year sees the launch of the revamped Leaving Certificate Irish Paper. It will be a markedly changed exam in which 40 per cent, instead of the former 25 per cent, is being awarded for the oral component of the test. This is the first major change to the Irish paper in about 15 years.
I asked Richard Barrett, who teaches Irish in Blackrock College, Dublin, what prompted such a significant shift in the examination of Irish. Does he see this trend as a kind of dumbing down of Irish by moving away from a more literature-based curriculum? Where is Peig in all of this? Is her legacy in danger of drowning somewhere off the Blasket Islands?
“Not at all — I see it as an entirely positive step and one that is very much in keeping with the modern healthy trends in the attitude of students to learning Irish nowadays,” he replies.
He proceeds in his measured, calm way, every point springing with clarity from a deep understanding and love of a language to which he has devoted a lifetime of teaching.
“There are four components to learning any language — listening, speaking, reading and writing. For far too long, the speaking part has been underplayed!”
I can’t resist the opportunity of playing devil’s advocate. What about the large number of people who claim that Irish is a dead and useless language and that it should be totally abolished from the curriculum? He sighs patiently as this is a question that he has to face almost every day.
“People say to me all the time that, after spending 13 years learning Irish in school, they can’t put two words together. I tell them that I beg to differ. Of course they can put two words together and usually quite a lot more. I can give them a quick vocab test and they can get it completely right. I can speak to them and they can understand me perfectly.”
He adds, “Thirteen years of studying anything doesn’t imply perfect knowledge. Does 13 years of studying maths mean that you’re going to get an A?
“It has been a trend for many years not to like Irish but, in fact, most people don’t feel that negative about it any more. People now have a greater sense of our history and are regretful of the fact that they don’t know more Irish.
“Parents keep telling me that they were ‘useless’ at Irish and didn’t like it. This of course makes it much harder to pass on to the next generation. Ironically, the young people whom I teach are the least hostile towards it — they just see Irish as being part of the system. In our school, we have Seachtain na Gaeilge which virtually every boy in the school gets involved in. The smarter ones opt for the ceili with the girls from Sion Hill next door.”
Ultimately does Richard think that attitudes to Irish have improved over the last 20 years? Did the boom —the era of the Fionns and the Saoirses — actually cause a proliferation of more than just that a cupla focail?
“Over the last 30 years, Ireland as a nation has matured and is not trying so hard to prove itself. Irish now exists as part of our heritage, and we accept it. The extreme Republican element in this country had hijacked both the language and the national flag. Ironically, it was an Englishman, Jack Charlton, who gave us back our flag and allowed us to wave it without being viewed as terrorists.
“The days of narrow-minded gaelgoiri being able to define ‘Irishness’ is gone and the language belongs to no political or religious tradition. In fact, some of the best performers in Irish nowadays are our immigrants.”
Apart from our newfound national confidence that started with The Joshua Tree and the discovery of Michael Flatley — both of which have reached their natural apotheosis in Jedward — Richard thinks that credit for our modern, more positive attitudes towards Irish lies with the governments of the last 40 years.
“Healthy bilingualism, which started as unwritten government policy in the Seventies, became de facto policy in the Eighties. Ireland is an English-speaking country and there is now no attempt to replace English with Irish, to pointlessly pit one against the other. The realism of the modern era has buried the ‘one-language nation’ approach.”
What about the reduction in the literature component in newspapers, does this mean that Irish as a literary medium is dying out?
Peig almost single handedly killed off my own admittedly fragile interest in Irish at school. It was only the genius of Padraic O Conaire (coincidentally a past pupil of Blackrock College) and his masterful short stories, Scothscealta, that saved it.
Richard shares my abject enthusiasm for Scothscealta and thinks that a great TV series based on O Conaire’s work has yet to be made.
Richard reminds me that things have moved on a lot since I was in school.
“Irish still has a thriving literary culture with a small but committed audience. The topics on the Leaving Certificate include crime, murder, drug addiction, abortion. The work of poets like Nuala Ni Dhomhnail is some of the most sensual you will read in any language.
“In fairness to Peig, she was the first to forsee that she was part of a dying culture on the Blasket Islands. ‘Ni bheidh ar leithieidi aris ann.’ (Our kind will not be seen again.) Peig can never be viewed as great literature but her book is a vital historical document, a window to the past,” he says.
It is thanks to Richard Barrett and many other teachers of Irish in this country that the Irish language is prevented from going the way of people of the Blaskets and becoming nothing other than a memory.
http://www.independent.ie/
