Cearta agus Comhionannas á éileamh do phobal na Gaeilge
January 15, 2014
Burns Night in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin
January 14, 2014
6:00PM An Chéad Léiriú / Film Premiere : Robert Burns 50′ (2013)
Stiúrthóir / Director: Keith O’Grady
Robert Burns 50′ (2013)
Tá clú tuillte go maith ag Robert Burns mar bhard náisiúnta na hAlban ach tá gné dá shaol nach bhfuil mórán eolais faoi. Chuir Burns síos air féin mar chumadóir agus bhailitheoir amhráin traidisiúnta i dtús báire, agus mar fhile ina dhiaidh sin. Tá sé chinn de na hamhráin is suntasaí de chuid Burns ann, seinnte ag scoth na gceoltóirí Éireann is Alban. Láithríonn an scannán saol suntasach Burns, a áiríonn tionchar a thuistí maidir lena oideachas agus a pholaitíocht. Bhí a chlann an-bhocht, agus ní raibh Burns in ann ealú go hiomlán ós na himpleachtaí seo níos déanaí ina shaol. Bhí saol pearsanta casta aige, agus sraith caidrimh sheachphósta aige. Pléann an scannán a scríbhneoireacht pholaitiúil fosta, a mhórthionchar ar Éireann agus a bhás luath ag aois 37 in 1796. Léiriúchán de chuid Dearcán Media ar son TG4 le maoiniú ón CCG.
Saor in Aisce
Robert Burns has a well deserved reputation as the national bard of Scotland, but there is an aspect of his life that remains relatively unknown. Burns described himself as a composer and collector of traditional song first of all, and a poet thereafter. Six of Burns’ most memorable songs feature, performed by Irish and Scottish artists of the highest quality. The film presents Burns’ remarkable life, including the influence of his parents in terms of education and politics. His family was very poor, and Burns was unable to fully escape the implications of this later in life. He had a complicated personal life, with a history of affairs outside of his marriage. The film also discusses his political writing, his considerable influence on Ireland, and his early death at the age of 37 in 1796. This is a Dearcán Media production for TG4 with ILBF funding
Free Admission
7:30PM Oíche Burns Supper & Céilí Mhór
Oíche chun saothar agus beatha íocán cultúrtha na hAlban, Robert Burns, a cheiliúradh le ceoil, filíocht agus amhránaíocht traidisiúnta, maille leis an ‘Burns supper’ agus Céilí Mhór!
An evening celebrating the life and works of Scotland’s cultural icon Robert Burns. Enjoy a traditional Burns Night Supper featuring the music and poetry most associated with Burns, then get your dancing shoes on for our Céilí Mhór. Don’t forget a wee twist of tartan!
£10, Ticéid ar díol anois
Choose Irish as your new year’s resolution for 2014
January 14, 2014
Why not consider choosing to use your Irish as a great way to start off 2014.
From conversational circles to coffee mornings classes, learners can choose from a range of options all over Ireland as well as Manchester and Glasgow, countries all over Europe, the US, Canada and Australia.
The London Irish Centre in Camden Square runs classes to suit all levels of Irish speakers with a 10-week Irish language course commencing on 14 January 2014, www.londonirishcentre.org.
Comharchumann Corca Dhuibhne in west Kerry are offering courses throughout the year. The wide range of courses offered entwine the Irish language with other heritage and historical feature including Local History and Folklore, Set Dancing, Poetry and Art, and Guided Heritage Walks. Some courses will begin next month so why not visit www.oidhreacht.ie to see if they have a course to suit you.
Staying in Munster, Gael-Taca, located at Sullivan’s Quay in the heart of Cork City, will host a series of classes commencing on 27 January 2014. They also host conversation circles each week and have plenty of information on Irish language events in Cork. To find out more contact 021-4310841 or visit www.gael-taca.com.
Freedom Surf School in Tramore, Co. Waterford, runs primary and secondary school tours, certificate courses, overnight stays and all kinds of activities through Irish. Why not take a special school trip and at the same time brush up on your Irish language skills, www.freedomsurfschool.com.
Once again, 2014 will see Gaelchultúr provide Irish classes for adult learners at all levels in various locations around Ireland and online. Terms will begin in Spring and classes will take place in Dublin and in Carlow, in association with Glór Cheatharlach, www.gaelchultur.com. Other classes include an Intensive Preparatory Course in Written Irish and a Postgraduate Diploma in Translation. This particular course would benefit employees in the public sector who would like to improve their Irish language communication skills.
Gael-Linn provides a wide range of classes for adults, from beginners to advanced speakers, in their offices in Dame Street in the heart of Dublin. They also organise Irish language summer colleges, courses for adults in Gaoth Dobhair and weekend Irish language activity courses in the Meath Gaeltacht of Ráth Chairn. As well as this they provide Irish language classes aimed at Leaving Certificate Students and on 1, 8, 15 and 22 March 2014 they are hosting Irish language classes aimed at pupils who will be sitting the Leaving Certificate in 2014, www.gael-linn.ie.
Conradh an Gaeilge will host a series of Irish language classes on Harcourt Street in Dublin at the end of January. These courses cater for all levels of Irish and the success of the Conradh na Gaeilge initiative, ‘Is leor beirt’, is continuing to grow with conversation groups being established all over the country. These groups are great for people who wish to join in a conversation in a relaxed environment and brush up on their cúpla focal, www.cnag.ie.
Conradh na Gaeilge located on Dominic Street in Galway city will commence their Irish language classes in Áras na nGael on 27 January 2014. Various Conradh na Gaeilge branches located all over the country have further information of local classes and events.
Coláiste Uisce located in An Eachléim in Northwest Mayo offers youngsters a great opportunity to learn Gaeilge and have lots of fun. Coláiste Uisce is recognised as Ireland’s number one Gaeltacht Irish College with accredited water and adventure sports. The college runs summer and Easter Gaeltacht courses to suit all levels, check them out at www.uisce.ie.
Heading north towards Derry, Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin on Great James Street in the heart of Derry, will run a series of classes this January, www.culturlann-doire.ie, and classes at An Carn in Maghera, Co. Derry, will commence mid-January. To find out more contact 028 7954 9978 or visit www.ancarn.org.
In Belfast, Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiach will host conversation and basic Irish language courses commencing on 15 January 2014, www.culturlann.ie, and An Droichead who are located in Cooke Street off Ormeau Road are also hosting a wide range of Irish classes once again this Spring, www.androichead.com.
Residents of Omagh, Co. Tyrone will once again get the opportunity to take part in language classes and practise their Irish in an relaxed through other Irish language events such as sean-nós dancing and singing classes. For more information contact Kevin Goodwin, Irish Language Development Officer at + 0044 (0)28 8225 6220
For those who wish visit Co. Donegal to brush up on their Irish language skills, Oideas Gael in Gleann Cholm Cille in southwest Donegal provides a wide range of courses mixing language and culture through events such as hill walking, craft work, music and archaeology. why not visit www.oideas-gael.com and surprise yourself.
These are just some ideas for brushing up on your Irish in 2014. Many local council offices, libraries, organisations and public groups have further information regarding Irish language classes, gatherings and events in various areas all over Ireland so why not get in touch with them and get inspired this January.
Further information about Irish language courses is available online at www.gaelport.com/courses.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
School policy changes must be applied equally
January 14, 2014
WITH the level of cuts to the education system in recent years, it was inevitable that some things would give.
There have always been examples of schools that, for one reason or another, did not deliver the stipulated 28 hours a week instruction time to students, but the Department of Education and Skills has now acknowledged that the reduction in resources in recent years has been an added challenge for schools in meeting the standard. Not only have schools lost teachers, but the cuts have come at a time when enrolments are rising, and will continue to do so for about a decade. Meanwhile, schools are under pressure to offer a wide choice of subjects and the upcoming reform of the Junior Certificate will only add to the range of possible study options.
The planned detailed analysis by the department of the practice in relation to the provision of instruction time across schools of different types and sizes is welcome. The findings will be of interest because they will tell us why some schools are not adhering to the rules. We need to know how much of a role the cuts have played and whether there are any other reasons why an individual school is coming up short. Whatever the department’s research turns up, it is essential that any changes in policy or, indeed, enforcement of existing policy, have as their focus the best interests of students – all students. There is nothing wrong with the existing policy requiring all schools to deliver a minimum amount of instruction time to all pupils. It is an equitable starting point, and, if more holes have appeared in the system because resources have been cut, an obvious solution would be to restore the resources.
It may well be that taking account of the circumstances of individual schools and allowing them a certain flexibility in relation to instruction time, would be a desirable outcome. But if there is to be change, it cannot result in an uneven patchwork based on joining up the holes. The State has a responsibility to deliver equal treatment to all students, in all schools.
www.indepedent.ie
School cuts hit classroom teaching time
January 14, 2014
CUTS in teacher numbers have left some schools struggling to offer students the minimum 28 hours a week of classroom teaching.
A major review of teaching time in second-level institutions is to be carried out after several schools were found to be falling short of basic requirements. SCHOOLS are struggling to offer pupils the minimum 28 hours a week of classroom teaching due to education cutbacks. A major review of teaching time in second-level institutions is to be carried out after several schools were found to be falling short of basic requirements. The Department of Education has admitted the cutbacks of recent years have been “an added challenge” for schools in meeting the standard. The problem has been identified in a number of recent Whole School Evaluation (WSE) reports published by the department’s inspectors.
In some cases, schools count assembly or study time as part of the 28 hours, but the rules stipulate that it must be spent on direct teaching and learning. In a recent WSE report on the 425-pupil Colaiste Cois Life, Lucan, Co Dublin, the inspectors reported that pupils were being left short one-and-a-half hours a week.
Pressure
At Meanscoil Iognaid Ris, Longmile Road, Dublin, inspectors also noted that instruction time fell short of the minimum 28 hours. And inspectors found the 525-pupil Salesian Secondary School, in Pallaskenry, Limerick, counted a 15-minute weekly session between class tutors and pupils as part of its 28 hours. Michael Moriarty, general secretary of the Education and Training Boards Ireland, said achieving the 28 hours was becoming more difficult. Ferdia Kelly, general secretary of the Joint Managerial Body representing secondary schools, said it would like to maintain the 28 hours but the reduction in teacher numbers had put pressure on schools to maintain it. Most schools do provide the required 28 hours a week, and at least one-third of schools offer even more than that. The department is planning a detailed analysis of practice across schools of different types and sizes, to see where and why there is a deviation. It will consider whether a standard 28 hours is desirable, or whether there should be a relaxation of the rules by giving schools a certain flexibility in how they organise their time.
Challenges
A department spokesperson said that any such relaxation would not involve a reduction in the 22 hours a week for which teachers are contracted to be available. School timetables are worked out based on the number of pupils, the range of subjects on offer – and at different levels – and the number of teachers. The department has acknowledged that the challenges involved in meeting the needs of all pupils can vary, depending on the school size and the range of subjects it provides. A department spokesperson said its research would relate to the decisions schools make when deciding how to use the aggregate teaching hours available from the schools allocation. The educational benefits, advantages or trade-offs that might justify any deviation from a standard number of hours would be considered, the spokesperson said.
www.independent.ie
How Irish language belongs to all of us on this island
January 14, 2014
I have read many great articles in the Belfast Telegraph over the past several years, but none more interesting than the one of January 9 about the demand for Irish language classes among Protestant loyalists in east Belfast.
In the article, Linda Ervine states: “Irish is such a beautiful language.” I’m thrilled to hear her describe the ancient language of Ireland in such glowing terms and want to tell her “Go raibh mile maith agat” (A thousand thanks to you) for saying so. I know that my fellow Gaeilgeoiri (Irish speakers) on this side of the Atlantic enthusiastically approve of Linda’s efforts and those of her co-religionists to learn teanga na nGael (the language of the Gaels), because it is also part of their heritage.
In the ’80s and early ’90s, Belfast native the Rev Campbell Sheil made his own contribution to the teaching of Irish in the Bronx by making available to the Gaelic League the hall of the Woodlawn Presbyterian Church of which he was then pastor. During the seven years (1984-91) I taught weekly Irish lessons in that hall, I always had easy access to my classroom as the Rev Sheil gave me my own key to the place.
Another Protestant clergyman who also indicated his approval of Irish was Jonathan Swift, Dean of St Patrick’s Anglican Cathedral, Dublin (1713-45), by translating an Irish poem to English. In Swift’s time the Irish language belonged to the people in all parts of the Emerald Isle and it still does.
Sean Mac Curtain
New York
www.belfasttelegrapgh.co.uk
Feighlí linbh le Gaeilge
January 13, 2014
Comhairliúchán faoin ar an gcaoi is fearr le teicneolaíocht a úsáid sa seomra ranga
January 13, 2014
Classes – Áras Chrónáin
January 13, 2014
Stiúrthóir naíonra
January 13, 2014
