(Gaeilge) Oifigeach Margaíochta/Riarthóir Feidhmiúcháin (Saoire Mháithreachais)
November 21, 2016
Haka Gaelach strikes fear into All Blacks
November 17, 2016
Children from a Co Dublin Gaelscoil performed a modified version of the Maori Haka for the All Blacks rugby team at their training ground ahead of this weekend’s much anticipated return Test at the Aviva Stadium.
Following on from Ireland’s historic win against the New Zealanders in Chicago in early November, some 60 children from 6th class, Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan, performed a mixture of the fearsome Maori Haka – Ka Mate and a re-written version of Ireland’s Call for the assembled team at the Westmanstown Sports Complex on Monday.
Príomh Oide Damhnait Uí Ruairc said a parent came up with the idea for the performance in September and teachers and students spent the last two months preparing the Haka Gaelach for the event.
“A parent suggested the idea in September and asked if we might be interested in performing for the All Blacks. We said we would. The initial plan was that the boys would perform the Maori Haka but we decided we couldn’t do it without the girls.”
“After researching the Haka we discovered that the tradition is for the Haka to be performed by men. It was then that we decided to adapt it and incorporate Ireland’s Call into the performance”.
Paying tribute to late rugby greats Jonah Lomu and Anthony Foley the children also paid homage to prominent Maori leader and political activist Apirana Turupa Ngata .
Despite the excitement surrounding Ireland’s first ever win over the All Blacks, Bean Uí Ruairc said the famous result threw the event into some doubt, leading to fears it would not go ahead.
“We only heard on Monday morning that the event would go ahead – and even then, it was only 50:50. The students were taken on a bus to Westmanstown that afternoon and we still didn’t know if it would go ahead.”
The children’s fears were put to rest once the team arrived.
“The children were very excited. It was great for them. It is something they will never forget. Not only did they meet the All Blacks but they met the team that Ireland beat as well.”
All Blacks captain Kieran Read thanked the children for their performance.
“That was fantastic, what a welcome! It’s pretty awesome to see how much it means to you guys and to bring a bit of the Maori culture over here in Ireland, the boys certainly appreciate it.”
Founded in the local GAA club in 2005 with just 26 students and two teachers, Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada now has 470 registered students and 21 teachers and is under the patronage of an Foras Patrúnachta. It moved into a purpose built building in 2012.
Indicative of the demand for Irish language schooling, the school was oversubscribed this year.
“We are full at the moment. We could easily take another stream or two – and that is with another Gaelscoil around the corner,” Bean Uí Riada said.
The school is named after the Eiscir Riada, a geological ridge that stretches all the way west to Co Galway.
Eiscir Riada marked the division of Ireland into two halves – Leath Cuinn (Conn ‘s half) and Leath Moga (Mugh’s half) following the battle of Maigh Nuadad in AD123 between Conn Cétchathach (Conn of the Hundred Battles) and Eoghan Mór (also known as Mogha Nuadhad or servant of Nuada).
Legal bid to relocate Irish language primary school from 115-year-old west Belfast building clears first stage
November 17, 2016
The mother of a pupil at Gaelscoil an Lonnain was granted leave to seek a judicial review of Education Minister Peter Weir’s decision to turn down the proposed move.
Her lawyers claim the Democratic Unionist MLA acted irrationally and failed to comply with a statutory duty to develop Irish medium education.
She is seeking a court order for Mr Weir to either authorise the relocation or review his decision.
The school, with an enrolment of around 60 pupils, has been at its current site on the Falls Road since 2004.
But according to the mother’s lawyers those premises are now cramped, restrictive and no longer fit for purpose.
In December 2015 the Board of Governors of Gaelscoil an Lonnain’s Board of Governors submitted a relocation proposal to the Department of Education.
Its plan was to move to the former site of St Comgall’s School.
Support was said to have been secured from the Education Authority, the Education and Training Authority and Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta – the statutory body set up to advise the Department on compliance with the obligation to facilitate the development Irish language education.
The proposal was turned down in June, however, with issues about the school’s sustainability understood to have featured in the decision.
Counsel representing the parent taking the case claim the decision unlawfully took into account irrelevant factors.
It was also alleged that the Minister failed to consider increasing demand for Irish medium education in the area.
Papers lodged in the case further contend that the decision breached the European Convention of Human Rights by not prioritise the welfare of the child.
Leave to apply for a judicial review was granted today without full argument.
The case will now proceed to a substantive hearing early next year.
Outside court a lawyer representing the parent’s lawyer welcomed the outcome.
Joanne McGurk, of Michael Flanigan Solicitors, said: We are pleased that today the court has granted leave in this application.
“We will continue with the challenge and hope to secure the result that will allow the relocation to proceed.”
Over 200 delegates attend all Irish schools conference in Kilkenny city
November 17, 2016
The annual conference for the Irish-medium education sector took place in the Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny last week with over 200 delegates from around the country.
The event was secured for the city by president of the An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaiochta, Cathnia O’ Muircheartaigh, principal of the all Irish secondary school in the city and the principal of the all Irish primary school in the city, Sean O’hArgain.
The theme for this year’s event wass Realising the Vision. It provided the context for a celebration of naionrai, Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools, and was organised by Gaeloideachas and COGG.
The Department of Education and Skills’ Chief Inspector, Dr. Harold Hislop, made a presentation at the conference on the newly published Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022.
“This makes this year’s conference one of particular significance”, says Blathnaid ni Ghreachain, Chief Executive of Gaeloideachas. “For the first time since the founding of the State, the vision of Gaeltacht communities for an education system that meets their needs is to be made a reality. This policy will give those communities confidence in both the ability and commitment of the State to develop an education system for the Gaeltacht that is of a high standard.”
Delegates were provided with a comprehensive and meaningful programme. “It’s an important event” Gaeloideachas President, Cathnia O’Muircheartaigh said, adding that it offered e continuous professional development opportunities and also as a public celebration of excellence in the sector. It is a honour for Gaeloideachas to be involved in that celebration”.
Vacancy in Naíonra Chrónáin
November 16, 2016
Oideoir sna Luathbhlianta Naíonra – Early Years Educator in Naíonra
Applications sought for the position of an Early Years Educator in Naíonra Chrónáin
at Áras Chrónáin Irish Cultural Centre, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
An Naíonra:
Naíonra Chrónáin is an All Irish Naíonra.
Naíonra Chrónáin is a busy naíonra running morning and afternoon sessions. The authorities in Naíonra Chrónáin are committed to providing high quality care and education to the children who attend their service. We have a passion for outdoor play and risky play and a belief in keeping up to date with new research to ensure we are always providing the highest quality care and education we can.
Qualifications:
A minimum of FETAC Level 5 Certification in Childcare / Early childhood Education (Major Award) or equivalent or higher level qualification in early years’ education and care, with experience, and with fluency in spoken Irish.
An Ghaeilge:
If you are not fully fluent in spoken and written Irish but have Leaving Certificate standard in Irish we can assist you in improving your spoken Irish if necessary.
Key Responsibilities:
To work in our active and fun pre–school environment both indoor and outdoor. To be involved in curriculum planning, observation and report keeping duties. The successful candidate should have a commitment and passion to quality, strong interpersonal and intrapersonal skills and be a good team player while also possessing initiative.
Post: Full-time position
Salary: Competitive salary depending on qualifications and experience
Application letter and CV to:
An Cathaoirleach, Muintir Chrónáin Teo,
Áras Chrónáin Ionad Cultúir, Bóthar an Úlloird, Cluain Dolcáin, Baile Átha Cliath 22. (eolas@araschronain.ie / 01-4574847)
Closing Date for applications: Thursday 09/12/2016 before 1.00p.m.
(Gaeilge) Oiliúint riachtanach do bhoird bainistíochta i mí na Samhna
November 16, 2016
(Gaeilge) An Saol in Éirinn sa bhliain 1916: Scéalta ó Staitisticí
November 16, 2016
A school in Lucan welcomed the New Zealand rugby team with a special Haka as Gaeilge
November 16, 2016
ANTICIPATION IS ALREADY building for the Ireland vs New Zealand rematch in the rugby in Dublin this Saturday.
But some have been lucky enough to get up close and personal with the visiting players.
Yesterday, the 6th class students at Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada in Lucan, Dublin were paid a visit by the All Blacks themselves.
And they had a special ‘Haka Gaelach’ prepared.
Which started out with their own Gaeilge chants before transitioning into the Haka itself – and it was executed with military precision.
They then read out a specially prepared poem and sang their own version of Ireland’s Call.
Niall Leech was there to record it and post it to YouTube, where he wrote:
It contains a mixture of the Maori Haka – Ka Mate and a re-written version of Irelands Call, specially penned for this meeting of two cultures from distant lands. This beautifully written poem contains a subtle nod to Maori heroes, including Jonah Lomu and Apirana Ngata and Irish Legends from Cú Chulainn to Anthony Foley.
All the all Blacks players were there to watch it all go down.
There’s even a video of them all practicing for the big day as well – and the performance made the Six One News on RTÉ.
Hopefully the players were a little bit intimidated by this Gaeilge Haka – but mostly, they were probably just impressed by the quality showing put on by the pupils of Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada.
Well played.
(Gaeilge) Príomhchigire na Roinne, an Dr. Harold Hislop, ag tréaslú le hearnáil an oideachais lán-Ghaeilge ag an gComhdháil Náisiúnta Oideachais ‘Ag Fíorú na Físe’ i gCill Chainnigh
November 15, 2016
(Gaeilge) An Saol in Éirinn sa bhliain 1916: Scéalta ó staitisticí
November 15, 2016
