SPRAOI ag Tuistí agus Leanaí
March 12, 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
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
Axe draws closer for struggling schools
March 7, 2013
More than half of secondary schools in the Dungannon District are unsustainable in terms of their current enrolments, according to a new report on the future of education in the Southern Education and Library Board.
Plans to deal with local schools failing to meet viability thresholds were announced in the SELB’s Area Planning report on Thursday.
According to the report, seven out of the district’s ten secondary schools are unviable in terms of their enrolment threshold for years 8 to 12. The Department of Education wants to ensure all secondary schools in the Dungannon district have at least 500 pupils, are getting good results and are not in debt.
Currently there are 317 spare places in local secondary schools, with 128 empty desks at Drumglass, 53 at Aughnacloy High School, 309 at St Joseph’s Coalisland, 21 at St Patrick’s Academy, and 8 at Integrated College Dungannon.
However, the report has called for further consultation to take place this year over the future of Dungannon’s Catholic secondary schools, as well as announcing a stay of execution on the future of Aughnacloy High School and Fivemiletown College, which had to turn away 16 pupils last year because the school had no places for them.
“The issue of cross-border education initiatives is still being developed politically and this may have implications for the planning in the Aughnacloy and Fivemiletown areas”, said the report.
Northern Ireland’s Education Minister has said he is unhappy at the slow progress of some education boards in planning to shut unsustainable schools. Sinn Fein’s John O’Dowd is forming a steering group to speed up the process of closing and rebuilding.
The minister is eager for education boards to close unviable schools. He said that in some areas plans have not moved quickly enough. Mr O’Dowd said that was unacceptable and he wants the Catholic authorities to develop definitive solutions. The SELB report announced that merger plans have drawn closure for Dungannon’s Catholic secondary schools.
Following consultation, the Catholic Council for Maintained Schools has found that the best model for the future of St Patrick’s Academy and St Patrick’s College involves the development of a shared educational campus, while retaining the identity and status of both schools, said the report.
With regards to the proposed merger of St Joseph’s College Donaghmore, and St Joseph’s Coalisland, the CCMS said it had taken into account concerns around Irish Medium provision and the expressed view that St Joseph’s Grammar School Donaghmore is a sustainable and viable school.
The report said: “The proposed model is for an 11 – 19 co-educational school, inclusive of Irish Medium provision, in St Joseph’s Grammar School, Donaghmore with an 11 – 16 co-educational school in St Joseph’s High School, Coalisland.
“The potential for the establishment of a formal partnership to maximize opportunities for pupils in both schools, particularly at post 16, should be researched, evaluated and presented to the Trustees for further consideration by June 2013.”
Dungannon District’s primary schools are the next target and the Education Minister will reveal proposals by the middle of March. There are more than 80,000 empty places in schools and the minister has said some may have to close to improve the quality of education children receive.
www.tyronetimes.co.uk
Athrú stíle do dhaltaí meánscoile
March 6, 2013
Cúrsa Gramco Irish language summer course for students
March 5, 2013
Cúrsa Gramco is a three-week intensive Irish language course written and directed by Séamas Ó Máirtín. The course takes place in St Mary’s College, Galway, for the first three weeks of July.
The course caters for primary, Junior Certificate, and Leaving Certificate students. Each student receives a Gramco booklet specific to his/her course. Gramco’s approach allows students to work in a friendly, supportive, atmosphere. The teachers will fully support students and instil confidence in them so that they will hopefully have a gráfor the Irish language and see it as a living language – teanga bheo.
For students doing their Leaving Cert in June 2014 the course covers examination questions with sample answers in relation to prose and poetry, sample essays, and also grammar. Oral and aural skills will be central to the course as this constitutes 40 percent of the total marks.
Students may avail of a mock oral Irish test at the end of the course. External examiners will conduct these orals. For students doing their Leaving Cert in June 2015 the emphasis will be on oral and aural skills. Gramco caters for two levels in its Junior Cert course — students who have just completed first year, and students who have just completed second year. The emphasis is on writing, speaking, and also on aural skills.
Understanding the different tenses is vital and Gramco therefore focus on these skills. Sample essays and letters are also provided within the booklets. For further information call 091 553393.
www.advertiser/galway.ie
Enjoy a variety of sports as Gaeilge at Coláiste Chiaráin
March 5, 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 on 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 due to the dynamic of those attending, and the tears on the final night of the course are atestament to a very positive experience.
For more information contact 091 595167 or 091 595186, eolas@colaistechiarain.ie or www.colaistechiarain.ie.
www.advertiser/galway.ie
