Thousands of cash prizes to be won for schools and young people who promote the positive side of the internet!
March 11, 2013
We are delighted to launch our competition “What’s Your Story”for the 2nd year running and we want your school to participate! We believe that young people are part of the solution in the promotion of a safe and responsible online world for our community. This competition is a practical exercise to raise awareness within your school about being safe and responsible online.
So what’s this competition all about?
“What’s Your Story” offers young people a voice and engages them to think positively about the internet and how we all use it!
Simply create a 2 minute video or a poster (s) on the theme: “What does the good side of the Internet look like?” Once submitted online, it will be viewable by the public online and entries with the highest views and ratings will get shortlisted for our judges. That means that young people have to spread the word and encourage their peers to view the entries online too! This is an awareness raising exercise in itself. (Anyone 8 years + can enter). It is also an educational activity for the entire family; where they can view and rate all entries together.
Thousands of cash prizes to be won! The overall winner could be a school or an individual, in the form of a video or a poster and will receive €3,000 in prize money. Within each age category, €500 will be awarded to the winning poster and the winning video entry. (Entrants under 18 will require parental/guardian approval).
We have enclosed some flyers for teachers and everything is also available online: www.trendmicro.ie/whatsyourstory . (This includes our competition rules)
Please contact us if you have any questions at: whatsyourstory@trendmicro.ie and thank you for your continued support!
Comórtas BEO!
March 11, 2013
Inspirational stalwart of the Irish-language movement in Belfast
March 11, 2013
Méabh Uí Chriagáin (Maeve Cregan) was a stalwart of the Irish language movement in Belfast, and a bridge between its early years and the current upsurge in interest.
She helped keep Irish alive through long years when the political atmosphere was hostile. The younger generation in the language movement found her inspirational and encouraging. They felt she had her finger on the pulse of what was happening in Irish-language circles. Uí Chriagáin first became involved in Irish-language activities in the 1940s. Some she worked with then had been involved in the revival of the early 20th century. Over the years, she served on the executive of Comhaltas Uladh (as the Gaelic League was known in the North), and was active in Irish-language drama. Her work helped give birth to Cumann Cultúrtha Mhic Reachtain in north Belfast and to Irish-language primary and nursery schools. All her activities were carried out while a mother of six, working as a primary school teacher.
Irish was important in her life. She met her late husband, Ruairí, while both were learning Irish in the Donegal Gaeltacht. They raised their family through Irish. Uí Chriagáin was also one of the founders of Newington Youth Club, in north Belfast. She had great compassion, often accommodating young people suffering family problems, and was active in the St Vincent de Paul Society. Her interests were wide. She was a talented painter and spoke Spanish, French and Italian and enjoyed visiting Europe. Her final visit to Italy was in May of last year. Uí Chriagáin was born in May 1932, near Ardglass in Co Down, the only child to Michael Quinn, a school attendance officer, and his wife Annie (née Gracey), a seamstress. Her father was from Belfast, her mother a native of the Ardglass area. The family moved to Belfast, living for some years in a house where Lieut Gen Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the scout movement, had lived when a British army officer in Belfast.
Her secondary schooling was at St Dominic’s High School. Briefly, she undertook a Celtic Studies degree at Queen’s University. She left, to qualify as a teacher at St Mary’s Training College. As well as teaching at various primary schools in Belfast, she worked in the Pigs Marketing Board. In her late 60s, Uí Chriagái returned to university and completed her degree in Celtic studies. Years earlier, she had taught one of her lecturers at primary school. She was predeceased by her husband, Ruairí, and is survived by daughters Anne, Carrie, Ita, Tina and Una, son Ciarán and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
www.irishtimes.com
Rugby star Luke lends his voice to Irish call
March 11, 2013
IRISH rugby international Luke Fitzgerald has called for more money to be put into promoting wider use of the Irish language and helping people develop their Irish language skills.
Speaking a day after Ireland’s bruising encounter with France, the Leinster and Ireland winger said he would like to see “a big revival of the Irish language”. A fluent Irish speaker himself, the 25-year-old Dubliner said that despite the tough economic circumstances it was still important to put money into the language as it gave people a sense of Irishness. “To speak our own language sets us apart in a world which feels like it is getting smaller,” he said.
Describing himself to the Irish Independent as “passionate” about Irish, he paid tribute to former boxer Bernard Dunne’s efforts to promote the cupla focail. “He has been fantastic. I met him after one of our games and he is putting in a big push on Irish.” Fitzgerald officially opened a new clubhouse for Loreto Hockey Club in Rathfarnham, Dublin. His grandmother’s sister, Natalie Liuzzi, was the club’s first ever Irish international in the 1940s. He urged girls to get involved in sports as a way of building friendships. “I think one of the most important things for a flourishing life is the relationships you build. Team sports are one of the best ways to do that”, he said.
His views were echoed by RTE television presenter Mary Kennedy. “It is for social interaction as well as health and fitness,” the presenter who has run two marathons said.
Speaking about Seachtain na Gaeilge, which takes place up to St Patrick’s Day, she said: “It is so wonderful to see people like Luke, who is a hero to so many young people, speaking Irish.”
IRISH INDEPENDENT
Mayor backs Lá na Gaeilge
March 11, 2013
Londonderry’s Mayor is supporting Lá na Gaeilge in Guildhall Square, the day before St Patrick’s Day.
Mayor Kevin Campbell, endorsed the celebration of Irish language and culture, stating: “With 2013 being Bliain na Gaeilge (the National Year of Irish), I thought it was a good opportunity to support a programme of outdoor events on March 16 which would mark the end of Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish Language Week) and celebrate Irish language and culture in the city. “Guildhall Square will be buzzing on Lá na Gaeilge with a range of family friendly events including an outdoor céilí, traditional Irish music sessions, performances by children from our local Gaelscoileanna, an Irish language information point and arts and crafts activities for families,” he said.
www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk
‘Examine restriction of teacher applicants’
March 11, 2013
The Department of Education’s chief inspector has suggested looking at restricting the numbers going into teaching as a possible way of keeping up standards in the profession.
Questions have been raised about regulating intake to teacher-training degrees, as the 3,000-plus annual graduates have had more difficulty in recent years finding work because of education cutbacks. The rise in teaching graduates without work because of these cuts, along with reduced pay for the profession, may be behind a fall of almost 20% in numbers listing teacher-training courses as their first choice on college application forms. The department’s chief inspector, Harold Hislop, said that, although high-calibre candidates are still applying to teaching courses, international research suggests that restricting access to the profession and the overall entrant numbers have advantages for the long-term good of teaching and schools.
“Whether by failing to control entry properly we may damage quality is a question about which we have not had an informed and thorough debate in Ireland, and is one that we may need to consider,” he told a recent symposium on teacher education at University College Cork. There may be a temporary drop in newly qualified teachers in years to come as teacher education reforms see degrees extended by a year, meaning a gap in output from some courses. A range of mergers is planned among teacher-training colleges, and Mr Hislop said having a smaller number of larger teacher education institutions will help enhance teachers’ skills and the profession’s status.
www.irishexaminer.com
Éascaitheoir/taighdeoir – Scéal na Gaeilge
March 11, 2013
Craobh Ceannais Scléip – Liosta na mBuaiteoirí
March 11, 2013
Vaimpír san Áiléar – new book
March 8, 2013
Tá cónaí ar Marius, an vaimpír, in áiléar Ailfí. Gabhann sé timpeall an tí mar is toil leis agus tógann a bhfuil uaidh ón gcófra bia. Níl saol na vaimpíre saor ó thrioblóid nuair a thagann tinneas fiacaile air. Cuirtear leis na deacrachtaí nuair a théann Ailfí chun an stiúideo teilifíse leis na tiripíní. Tá an fhoireann ag iarraidh físeán a dhéanamh de Marius ach an féidir físeán a dhéanamh de Vaimpír?
Do dhaoine óga fásta (10-13) agus do dhaoine fásta óga de gach aois! Seo an dara leabhar sa tsraith seo. Foilsíodh an chéad leabhar, Ailfí agus an Vaimpír i 2012.
Marius, the vampire, lives in Ailfí’s attic. He goes around the house as he pleases and takes what food he wants from the cupboards. But the vampires life is not free from trouble when he gets a toothache. His problems are worsened when he goes into a television studio with his terrapins. The team television crew are trying to record Marius, but can a vampire be captured on camera?
For young adults (10-13) and young adults of every age! This is the second book in this series. The first book, Ailfí agus an Vaimpír (Ailfí and the Vampire) was published in 2012.
Bhí an-ráchairt ar an gcnuasach gearrscéalta Canary Wharf le hOrna Ní Choileáin (Cois Life 2009). Tá bua na scéalaíochta go nádúrtha inti agus tá roinnt mhaith gradam liteartha bronnta uirthi. Is údar don aos óg freisin í. Is ábhar spéise di domhan na vaimpírí agus sa saothar seo is mian léi vaimpír an 21ú haois a chur os comhair páistí an lae inniu.
There was great demand for Orna Ní Choileáin’s short story collection, Canary Wharf (Cois Life 2009). She is a natural storyteller and has won numerous prizes for creative prose, poetry, drama and short stories. She is also a children’s writer. Órna has an interest in the world of Vampires and in this book she aims to introduce children to vampires of the 21st century.
Orduithe: www.coislife.ie nó, más siopa atá i gceist, tríd Áis ach glaoch a chur ar (01) 6616522 nó ríomhphost chuig ais@forasnagaeilge.ie.
Orders: www.coislife.ie or, in the case of shops, through Áis by phoning (01) 6616522 or e-mailing ais@forasnagaeilge.ie.
Breis eolais/Further information: Julianne Ní Chonchobhair julianne@milefailte.ie 087-1746189
Win the gift of Gaeilge at Mayo’s Seachtain na Gaeilge
March 8, 2013
Gnó Mhaigh Eo in conjunction with Oifig Gaeilge Mhaigh Eo is celebrating Seachtain na Gaeilge 2013 with a Bronntanas na Gaeilge (Give the Gift of Gaeilge) campaign.
A toy, book, or gift will be available to win each day for the duration of Seachtain na Gaeilge (March 4-17) on the Gaeilge Mhaigh Eo and Gnó Mhaigh Eo Facebook pages and on Twitter, as well as spot prizes at some of the Seachtain na Gaeilge events.
Many of us have seen Bábóg Baby and Scrabble through Irish but did you know that there are many Irish language products that are made in Mayo?
It was two Mayo publishers who published two of the best selling Irish language books in the last year. The publishing company Evertype, based outside Westport, recently published an Irish version of The Hobbit, the English version of the book celebrated its 75th year last year. An Hobad features the original pictures and maps by JRR Tolkien. Cló Mhaigh Eo also added to its series of graphic novels with An Béal Bocht, one of the most popular books in Irish based on the original novel by Flann O’Brien/Myles na gCopaleen.
Between T-shirts from Deir Sé and T-Rex, greeting cards from Wild Ideas, Marian Heneghan and Cathal Can Sign, lovely prints from I Love Mayo and Mindful Productivity it is possible to support both the Irish language and Mayo businesses at the same time.
Make sure to keep an eye out on the Facebook page and Twitter feed from March 4 to 17, or go along to one or two Irish events for Seachtain na Gaeilge in Mayo to win your gift. A full list of the events happening across Mayo to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge is available on www.snag.ie
www.advertiser.ie/mayo
