Educate Together school gets go-ahead after handover row
Márta 15, 2013
A MULTI-denominational, Educate Together school will open in Dublin’s south inner city in September, the Department of Education has confirmed.
The project has been controversial because of delays in the handover of buildings from an existing Catholic-run school in Basin Lane, James’s Street.
Negotiations suffered a setback when the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST), which runs former Christian Brothers schools, raised legal obstacles to transferring the building.
The building involved is a CBS boys’ primary school, which Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin had previously agreed could merge with a local girls’ Catholic school to facilitate Educate Together.
But among the issues raised by ERST was that it was only permitted to sell off school buildings to “further the purpose of Catholic Education in the Edmund Rice tradition”.
Now, it appears the department has given the go ahead to Educate Together to make its arrangements. The first stage – the recruitment of a principal – will start immediately.
Katherine Donnelly
www.independent.ie
Foilsithe ar 15 Márta 2013
The cupla focal and pious drivel that keeps Irish artificially alive
Márta 15, 2013
IT’S official: God wants the people of Ireland to speak Irish.
This unassailable truth puts all doubt about the future of The Language where it finally belongs: in the rubbish bin of history. Or maybe God was just trying to spare me a lynching.
Now I’ve said many times that the entire project to restore the Irish languages is an immoral waste of time and money – which was why I was asked on last Tuesday’s ‘Prime Time’. This clearly prompted God to behave rather like the Chinese peasant that burns down his house in order to have some roast pork. On Monday, he covered all of Europe in a blanket of snow and ice, and simultaneously banjaxed my central heating, obliging me to chop some firewood. A swing of the axe, and a wicked shard of timber, turned my upper lip into a mouth burger, oozing ketchup.
In my sanguinary stead, RTE got Brenda Power of ‘The Sunday Times’ to play devil’s advocate, against two supporters of The Language. She began by declaring that she was happy to have Irish as the first national tongue, which is rather like a state prosecutor telling the jury that the accused is not guilty. The discussion duly descended into a grisly phantasmagoria of simpering and denial. That such a farrago – all sweet smiles of submission before the Totem of The Language, like young chimps making a communal rictus of obeisance at a dominant alpha male – could even masquerade as a “debate”, says it all.
The Language is one of the foundation-of 20th century Irish nationalism. To keep this submarine airborne requires quite heroic levels of self-deceit, factual falsification, sentimentality, coercion, and much venom. In 1922, virtually the first act of the Free State government was to close all primary schools for three months.
Of the 6,000 primary teachers in Ireland; only 1,000 spoke Irish. The rest were ordered to attend a series of two-week courses run by “specialists”, and during this succession of magical fortnights, they were all taught “Irish”. So there you have it. The complete mastery of a language, which is the greatest intellectual achievement of anyone’s life, and which normally takes 14 years, could suddenly be managed in 1/365th of that time.
And just as religion is often guarded with anger and unreason and accusations of heresy, the cult of The Language is similarly protected. Indeed, the utterly degrading “cupla focal” are merely a secular form of the pious ejaculations that once littered people’s conversations, and which were intended to offer windows to an interior landscape of boundless piety. Furthermore, a spoken language that consists of carefully composed, slang-free sentences, rather like the responses in a Mass, is not a living entity, but a corpse being kissed at the wake.
Any pro-discussion on The Language usually depends on a simultaneous maintenance of two mutually-exclusive, passionately held ideas, which is not uncommon in this land of carnivorous vegans and god-fearing atheists. Thus, some 1.4 million people reported in the last census that A) They speak Irish and B) They never do. Thus, Minister Denny McGinley could declare on ‘Prime Time’ that A) the “the people love the Irish language” and B) “our problem is to get people to speak it”. Not so much the love that dare not speak its name, but does not speak at all.
He carolled happily about The 20-Year Plan, which would produce 250,000 Irish speakers. But don’t hold your breath waiting for a quarter of a million language-Stakhonovites marching into the 2033 sunset, Gaelic spanners in hand, chanting Erse verse.
ADMITTEDLY, Katie Hannon began the ‘Prime Time’ report with a brilliantly candid overview of the state of Irish, including some mordant prerecorded denunciations of the language-by the irrepressible Declan Lynch. (But why was he not in the studio? Or is D Lynch too nice to lynch?)
Apparently, only a thousand primary schoolchildren are now native speakers – the same number of Irish-speaking teachers at the time the State was formed: clearly, another triumph for 91 years of language-Minister McGinley airily declared that rescue was at hand. All civil servants who wanted to learn Irish could now do so – no doubt, using the same magic wand that in 1922 turned some 5,000 teachers into Irish-speakers almost overnight.
Now, if this entire absurd project didn’t cost us over a billion a year, it might almost be funny. But you know what? At the end of The 20Year Plan, when there isn’t a single native-speaking Irish child left, Gaelgori will still be declaring that the emperor is fully clothed, and moreover, righteously lynching anyone who declares otherwise; unless, that is, a kindly God once again intervenes, with a providential frost, a judicious axe, and a shrewd sharp shard through a nonIrish speaking upper-lip.
Kevin Myers
www.independent.ie
Foilsithe ar 15 Márta 2013
Enjoy a variety of sports as Gaeilge at Coláiste Chiaráin
Márta 15, 2013
Coláiste Chiaráin aspires to be about much more than just learning Irish, although there is of course a significant emphasis on engaging and dynamic classes six mornings a week, tailored towards the Junior and Leaving Certificate cycles, and preparatory work for the oral examinations.
The muinteoiri and cuntoiri are also very conscious that a three-week stay in the Connemara Gaeltacht is a character forming experience and they try to help the children embrace that opportunity.
Good weather means students can visit one of Carraroe’s many stunning beaches, go for walks and cycles, play sport outside including soccer, basketball, and Gaelic football, or enjoy water sports.
Sport is an integral part of the Coláiste Chiaráin experience. The natural resource of Loch an Mhuilinn plays host to kayaking, which is always a favourite with the students. During the course, well known GAA personalities facilitate the college with their coaching experience and spend afternoons encouraging students to reach their potential in their particular discipline.
Coláiste Chiaráin looks favourably on any group of students who go not alone for the Irish experience but for the GAA coaching experience and would be willing to offer a reduction of the cost if a suitable number decided to attend. For students sitting the Leaving Certificate in 2014 and onwards there will be a lot of emphasis on oral and aural skills as this constitutes 40 per cent of the total marks.
The success of Coláiste Chiaráin down through the years is partly due to the dynamic of those attending, and the tears on the final night of the course are a testament to a very positive experience.
For more information contact 091 595167 or 091 595186, email eolas@colaistechiarain.ie, or visit www.colaistechiarain.ie
www.advertiser.ie/galway
Foilsithe ar 14 Márta 2013
Let’s talk about Irish
Márta 15, 2013
Upon hearing the news that a member of An Garda Siochana could not answer the question “cad is ainm duit?” in our official first language, I was not surprised.
As a 15-year-old, third-year student, I can tell you that the fact that Irish is a compulsory exam subject will mean that even the most diligent student will merely learn the amount of Irish required for the exam and very little else.
However, I believe the Irish language should still be taught as it is a language unique to this island. I suggest that Irish be taught in schools for two classes a week as a non-exam subject, where the emphasis is on spoken Irish which can be used in everyday life.
Students who wish to should also have the opportunity to choose Irish as a choice subject, so they can sit it in state exams. This would mean that future generations would come to view Irish in a more positive light.
Cathal Murphy
Camolin, Co Wexford
www.independent.ie
Foilsithe ar 15 Márta 2013
Irish-language cheques returned to senders
Márta 15, 2013
There’s a seanfhocail or Irish proverb that says wealth or money makes friendship. However, if it’s a payment written as Gaeilge to a certain bank, it may not always elicit a warm response.
This was the experience of several Co Mayo residents who tried to pay their septic tank registration fee with cheques made out to t he local authority in Irish. The cheques were returned to senders with a letter explaining that Mayo County Council’s bank would not accept them.
They were informed that “Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo”, the local authority’s Irish title, was not recognised by the lending institution as matching the account name.
The issue was raised with An Coimisinéir Teanga, the Irish Language Commissioner Sean Ó Cuirreáin, who contacted Mayo County Council. Under the Official Languages Act, a person is entitled to communicate with a public body in either English or Irish.
A spokesman for the council told The Irish Times it was in touch with the bank with a view to resolving the issue. It is understood that the bank, which is State-owned, had told the local authority it was not accepting cheques in Irish from January 2nd, 2013.
A spokeswoman for AIB headquarters said the bank did accept cheques in Irish and there had been no recent change in policy. The spokeswoman said it may have been an issue relating to a local branch.
The fine for non-payment of the septic tank registration fee is up to ¤5,000, but so far there has been an 86 per cent compliance rate nationally, according to the Department of the Environment.
In a separate development, the Irish Language Commissioner has welcomed an initiative by the Garda Commissioner to recruit a percentage of new gardaí who have fluency in Irish. The new policy will only come into force when Garda recruitment resumes, however.
Lorna Siggins
www.irishtimes.com
Foilsithe ar 15 Márta 2013
Sraith Nua Raidió do Scrúdú Béil na hArdteiste
Márta 15, 2013
Beidh an tsraith nua Scrúdú Béil na hArdteiste le cloisteáil ar RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta ó 18-21 Márta, dírithe ar dhaltaí ardteiste atá ag réiteach do bhéaltriail na Gaeilge.
Ó 2012, tá béim ar leith ar an scrúdú béil Gaeilge agus tá sciar na marcanna don scrúdú ardaithe ó 25% go 40%. Beidh Scrúdú Béil na hArdteiste dírithe go sonrach ar an tsraith pictiúr atá mar chuid den scrúdú anois, a bhfuil 33% de na marcanna ag dul dó.
Beidh cúig shraith pictiúr ó chúrsa na bliana seo á gclúdach i ngach eagrán sa tsraith, agus beidh bréagscrúduithe á gcur ar dhaltaí ó Ghaelcholáiste an Chláir sna cláracha. Beidh podchraoltaí le fáil do gach sraith pictiúr ag www.rte.ie/rnag/scrudubeilnahardteiste.html.
Cuideoidh na cláracha le daltaí cur lena stór focal, agus tabharfaidh sé samplaí dóibh de cheisteanna go bhféadfaí a chur orthu. Beidh moltaí san áireamh freisin, bunaithe ar na bréagscúduithe a cloisfimid, faoi bhealaí go bhféadfadh na daltaí feabhas a chur ar a gcuid freagraí.
Is iad an comhlacht Edgecast Media a rinne an tsraith seo, agus is é Conn Ó Muíneacháin léiritheoir agus láithreoir na sraithe.
Beidh Scrúdú Béil na hArdteiste le cloisteáil ag 7pm ó Luan go Déardaoin 18–21 Márta ar RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, agus déanfar athchraoladh ar an tsraith le linn sheachtain na Cásca ó 2–5 Aibreán.
Is féidir le daltaí éisteacht leis na cláracha ar an raidió, ar líne ag www.rte.ie/rnag nó éisteacht siar leis na cláracha ar Sheinnteoir Raidió RTÉ www.rte.ie/radioplayer .
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
Tuilleadh Eolais:
Caitríona Ní Bhaoill, Oifigeach Poiblíochta, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
caitriona.nibhaoill@rte.ie
086 8769585
Stiúrthóir Naíonra de dhíth
Márta 15, 2013
Tá Stiúrthóir ag teastáil ó Naíonra i mBiorra, Co. Uibh Fhailí. Tá an ráta pá €20 san uair agus 30 uair sa seachtain.
Tá an Stiúrthóir ag teastáil le haghaidh seisiún maidine agus seisiún tráthnóna.
Is gá go mbeadh líofacht na Gaeilge (labhartha agus scríofa) ag an iarrthóir mar aon le cáilíocht CDBO/FETAC Leibhéal 5 nó 6 ina iomláine.
Moltar go mbeadh na cáilíochtaí seo a leanas ag iarrthóirí chomh maith, nó iad a bheith sásta tabhairt fúthu:
• Dianchúrsa FNT
• Oiliúint gharchabhrach
• Child Protection Training.
Is é 22 Márta 2013 an spriocdháta. Eagrófar agallaimh i ndiaidh an dáta sin.
Is féidir glaoch a chur ar Stella ag 085 7112211 nó ríomhphost a chur chuig info@stellathompson.com má tá spéis agat sa phost.
Love for Irish language
Márta 14, 2013
I am writing in response to RTE1’s episode of ‘Prime Time’ aired on the night of Tuesday, March 12.
The topic discussed that interested me most was regarding the Irish language. I was delighted to see that quite a few people still have a great ‘gra’ for our native language and that it holds an important place in the lives of many. However, I was absolutely disgusted to hear the comments from Declan Lynch, who insisted that the Irish language is not part of us. These comments infuriated me, to say the least!
As a native Irish speaker who came from one of the Gaeltacht areas around the country, Irish has been a huge part of my life growing up and has had a massive role in shaping the person that I am today. Irish will always remain part of my life, my culture and my heritage.
I cannot express the annoyance I felt when Mr Lynch had the cheek to dismiss our native tongue. There are many people, young and old, working actively to keep the Irish language alive.
Take a look back over the past two weeks, events have been held nationwide to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge 2013, all of these embracing and celebrating our native language.
I may not use Irish every day as I did when I was a child – working and studying away from home does not allow me to use Irish in my everyday life any more. But I do not intend to lose something so important to me. Irish is part of my national identity and I know that there are a lot of people out there who feel the same.
Katie Ni Leallaidh
Baile Ghib, Co na Mi
www.independent.ie
Amhrán an Tae le Muireann agus Sinéad a bhuaigh duais ag Scléip 2013
Márta 14, 2013
Scéal Phádraig Naofa – leabhar agus dlúthdhiosca dátheangach do pháistí
Márta 13, 2013
Tá leabhar nua dátheangach, “St Patrick’s Story for Children/Scéal Phádraig Naofa do Pháistí” le hinsint i mBéarla le Maureen O’Hara agus i nGaeilge le hAlan Titley, nuafhoilsithe ag Irish Folklore Publications agus is féidir é a cheannach ar phraghas €12.50 trí ríomhphost a chur chuig gpmcdonald@eircom.net.
