Samhail mhaoinithe nua eile
July 19, 2012
‘Lagmhisneach’
July 18, 2012
Irish medium primary school opens its doors in Cookstown
July 17, 2012
Gaelscoil Eoghain, the new Irish Medium Primary School in Cookstown, will open its doors for the first time on Monday, September 3.
Acting principal Caitríona Uí Dhoibhlin said this is a significant day for those who have an interest in the Irish language, culture and heritage and for those who appreciate children being given special opportunities in education. She said it will be a momentous occasion for the group of four-year-olds who will become the first pupils of Gaelscoil Eoghain.
In May this year, the Education Minister John O’Dowd approved a development proposal to establish Gaelscoil Eoghain and it is hoped it will build on the foundations created by Naíscoil Eoghain, the Irish Medium pre-school which opened in 2008 and is currently providing pre-school education to over 40 children from Cookstown and the surrounding area.
The new premises at Chapel Street, Cookstown, will be funded by the Department of Education and will be completed in August.
Principal Caitríona Uí Dhoibhlin, an experienced teacher of Key Stage 1, joins the school on secondment from Gaelscoil Uí Néill in Coalisland and will have the benefit of guidance and support from Conor McPhillips, the principal of Gaelscoil Uí Néill.
“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to be the first teacher at Gaelscoil Eoghain and to provide local children with bilingual education,” said Caitríona.
She explained that the children in Gaelscoil Eoghain will have the opportunity to avail of their primary education with the benefits of bilingualism.
“They will follow the same curriculum as their peers in local primary schools, with the additional advantage of being taught through the medium of Irish. The ability to be bilingual and biliterate will ultimately give the children greater employment opportunities,” she said.
The principal pointed out that there will be parents in Cookstown unsure as to whether they can send their children to an Irish school if they don’t speak the language themselves.
“Dr Malachy Ó Néill, Head of the School of Irish Language and Literature in the University of Ulster and member of the Board of Governors of Gaelscoil Eoghain, said 95 per cent of parents whose children attend Irish medium schools have little or no Irish – and there are currently 36,000 pupils being educated in Irish medium schools throughout Ireland. Gaelscoil Eoghain will enable pupils to develop confidence and fluency in both English and Irish simultaneously,” said Ms Uí Dhoibhlin.
Parents too have welcomed this new primary school, with one parent, Laura Coey expressing her delight at her son having the chance to become bilingual.
“I’m delighted my son, Rian, has the opportunity to be in the very first class of Gaelscoil Eoghain. Before deciding to send Rian, I researched bilingualism at great lengths, which confirmed the many benefits of learning a second language at an early age,” she said.
“It’s also exciting to be involved as a parent – we have so much input into decisions about the running of the school, including opening time, lunch break, uniform colour, etc.”
The principal pointed out that with the class sizes smaller than most local schools, she will have significantly more time to devote to each child.
“Ultimately the quality of education the children receive is paramount and I am convinced all of our parents will be delighted with the choice they have made,” she added.
In recent years Mid-Ulster has experienced significant growth in Irish medium education.
Gaelscoil Uí Néill in Coalisland is now the largest Gaelscoil outside of Belfast, Gaelscoil Aodh Ruadh in Dungannon opened in 2011 and has doubled its intake in a year, and
St Joseph’s Grammar, Donaghmore, opened an Irish Medium stream in 2010, accepting children from local Irish Medium primary schools without the need to sit a transfer test.
Anyone requiring further information can contact the principal at gaelscoileoghain@yahoo.ie or 07739 006398.
www.midulstermail.co.uk
New school classroom announced for Gaelscoil Uileog de Burca
July 13, 2012
Mayo Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony has welcomed the announcement of the further development at Gaelscoil Uileog de Burca in Claremorris.
Deputy O’Mahony has been informed that the Department of Education has sanctioned the building of one new main stream classroom and resource room at the school.
“It’s fantastic news for everyone concerned with the school and I am absolutely delighted for them all. Ever since I was elected in 2007 I have campaigned for this development and it’s wonderful that this has been given the go ahead,” he said.
Deputy O’Mahony said he was acutely aware of the need for these rooms.
“This development is essential for the future of the school which will complement the on-going developments at the school, and at a time like this it’s only right that we pay tribute to the school principal, Marie Uí Mhurchú, all the staff, the pupils and the parents for all the work they did in developing Gaelscoil Uileog de Burca.”
www.advertiser.ie/mayo
Creative Close to Coalisland’s Irish Language Book Club
July 12, 2012
Coalisland Library was transformed into a magical world of singing and dancing animals, witches, ships and spells as this year’s Irish language, children’s book club drew to a close for the summer!
A visit from ‘Síona Scéalaí’, Sheena the storyteller from the Land of Stories, was a fitting finale to the year’s programme. Under the guidance of ‘Síona Scéalaí’ otherwise known as Ariel Killick (an accomplished Irish Language Performance Artist), the children got to create their very own story which they then brought to life in a fun and imaginative way.
Chairs were transformed into icebergs, children adopted their characters roles as they danced and sang to a rhythm of their own creation. In short, all involved had a fantastic time and it was evident that storytelling and reading activities are an important and enjoyable experience for children of all ages.
‘Léigh Leat’, or ‘Read On’ is an Irish language Book Club in which children from local Irish Medium schools, have the opportunity to read and interact with a variety of Irish language books suitable to their age and interests. The club takes place fortnightly in the inviting and child-friendly environment of Coalisland Library.
With growing numbers this year, the readers have been divided into 2 groups according to age. Within these groups the children get to read in a fun and imaginative environment as well as participating in related activities that so far have included art work, drama, puzzles and even a treasure hunt around the library!
All of the activities undertaken at the Book Club foster a love for reading and creating stories and of course have the additional element of helping these particular children see, that Irish is a living and vibrant language that can be used outside of the classroom. These sentiments were also reiterated by Gearóid Trimble, Programme Manager for Foras na Gaeilge, in his speech at the presentation of certificates to the children who had attended the Book Club.
Speaking to the parents, leaders, the Irish Language Officer and library staff , Gearóid emphasised the importance of each of their roles in providing the children in their care with such a worthwhile opportunity in terms of creating and developing a love for books and for the Irish language.
Addressing the children, he asked them to make him a promise that they would continue to read and enjoy books and to make use of the fantastic Irish language resources provided by their local library. The spirited, energetic atmosphere that prevailed throughout the book club and in particular during its closing session is a sign that this is one promise that is likely to remain unbroken.
www.tyronetimes.co.uk
Hospice benefits from Gaelscoil’s monster efforts
July 10, 2012
THE STUDENTS AT Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir were proud to hold a monster cheque this week which reflected their diligent fundraising efforts for charity.
Two initiatives, a concert and a jersey day ensured that a total of €391 was raised by the youngsters which was presented this week to Co. Wicklow Hospice.
Wicklow Hospice PRO Marie Kindlon paid tribute to the young philanthropists for their hard work.
‘On behalf of the Wicklow Hospice Foundation, I would like to offer our sincerest thanks to the Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir, Arklow for their generous donation from fundraisers in aid of the Wicklow Hospice,’ she said.
WICKLOW PEOPLE
Gaelscoil ag barr rang na teicneolaíochta
July 10, 2012
Dúshláin agus dóchas – Gaelscoil na Daróige
July 10, 2012
‘Meon Eile’ Irish language news service launched
July 10, 2012
A new multimedia Irish language news service broadcasting from Belfast, ‘meon eile’ was launched recently.
The service provides news in current affairs, sport and entertainment with a modern twist, catering for the Irish language community in Northern Ireland as well as Irish speakers in general. The website aims to create a multimedia platform run completely through Irish with the use of videos, photographs and current stories which cover a wide range of subjects with a creative approach.
Meoneile.ie is the brainchild of producer Sinéad Ingoldsby who spent seven years working with BBC Northern Ireland and the project is being run by production company ‘Below the Radar’.
“Interaction between Irish speakers online is becoming increasingly vibrant and we in Meon Eile hope to add to this important conversation, ” Ingoldsby said at the launch of the website.
Meoneile.ie employs three talented journalists and writers – Sarah de Búrca, who worked in the script department of TG4 soap opera Ros na Rún, Shane Ó Curraighín, a Fullbright scholar with experience in the newsroom and Tomaí Ó Conghaile, editor of Irish language magazine ‘Nós’.
The website gives the option of viewing news stories by individual authors and under the headings ‘Current Affairs’, ‘Arts and Culture’, ‘Sport’, ‘Community’ and the public is given the chance to express opinions with the heading ‘Have your say’.
The website hopes to add to the development of Irish across the country as well as fulfilling the needs of Irish speakers therefore keep a close eye on www.meoneile.ie.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Gaelscoil recognised for anti-litter work
July 9, 2012
