Gael Linn Celebrating 60 Years
July 15, 2013
Gael Linn are celebrating their 60th birthday this year and no better way to celebrate than with an evening of superb music and song in the National Concert Hall. The event will take place at 8pm 15 September 2013. Gael Linn who’s headquater’s are located in Dame street in the heart of Dublin was founded in 1953 and has been known since then as an entrepreneurial organisation. The main aim of the organisation is to foster and promote the Irish language and its heritage throughout Ireland as a living language and as an expression of identity. They organise many Irish language events around Ireland. It is very fitting that this event is held in the National Concert Hall as in the past few years the National Concert Hall has been the venue for Siansa Gael Linn. Siansa Gael Linn is one of the country’s most prestigious competitions for young traditional Irish music and singing groups. Siansa provides a platform for talented teenage groups who aim to emulate and on the night one of those groups ‘Téada’ are retuning for a wonderful performance. Téada, now firmly established as one of Irish music's leading exponents on the international world music stage, continues to be driven by a fascination with the timeless, expressive force of traditional tunes inherited from previous generations of musicians. The group include fille player Oisín Mac Diarmada, Paul Finn on button accordion, Tristan Rosenstock on bodhrán, flute player Damien Stenson, Seán Mc Elwain on bouzouki/guitar and the renowned West Kerry accordion player Séamus Begley. Other special guests include ‘T with the Maggies’ who all come from the same corner of Co. Donegal and all have illustrious career histories. T with the Maggies are Tríona & Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh & Moya Brennan with each individual bringing a unique and varied interpretation of their musical heritage but the result is one of the finest ever amalgamations of Irish female voices.
Tickets: €30, €25 & €20 Box Office 01-417 0000 / www.nch.ie
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Coláiste na Carraige Reunion this weekend
July 12, 2013
There is an air of excitement and anticipation in Coláiste na Carraige and surrounding areas as momentum grows for this weekend’s Reunion Celebrations.
Central to these celebrations is the launch of Coláiste na Carraige’s first book, Scéal Scoile 1950 – 2013, in Coláiste na Carraige tomorrow night (Friday, July 12) at 8pm.
This book, which records the history of the school, features contributions from students and staff past and present. The history of the school has its origins in the early years of the Irish State. The first Gaeltacht Commission Report was produced in 1926 and among the many proposals was the identification of Carrick as the location for a second level school to serve the Slieve League peninsula.
However, it would be nearly 19 years later before any further progress would be made with this idea. On August 6,1944, at a meeting of the Carrick Parish Council, John Maloney, who was then the owner of Ostan Shliabh a’ Liag, proposed that the “attention of the Minister for Education be drawn to the Gaeltacht Commission Report of 19 years ago, where it was recommended that a Technical School be established in Carrick.” It took until 1950 before the first pupils – twelve boys – were enrolled but the story has grown into one that our founders would be very proud of.
So, in the year of the Gathering it is indeed appropriate to mark the achievements of Coláiste na Carraige with a publication that gives past, present and future pupils a sense of perspective on the 63 years of excellence and the many achievements to date.
Scéal Scoile 1950 – 2013 charts the progress of the school down through the generations. It contains many interesting and wonderful stories from many pupils, staff and members of the school community, past and present, who have contributed to the school. The book is a celebration of what makes Coláiste na Carraige a most unique school.
Copies will be available at the launch night and over the weekend. This book is a one off publication with a limited print run, so be sure to get your copy early by contacting cnc@donegalvec.ie.
Other events over the weekend include: a display of photographs and memorabilia in the school Saturday 12-6pm and Sunday 12-2pm; a reunion dinner dance in the Blue Haven on Saturday night (Tickets from the school on 973 9071, from Barry Mc Shane, Colette Mc Devitt, James Byrne or Patricia Murrin, or from Carrick Tourist office); and a reunion Mass on Sunday 14th at 11am in Carrick.
There are many other events planned for the weekend, which promises to be one to remember for all past and present, students and staff of Coláiste na Carraige.
We extend a warm welcome to everyone for these special events. All proceeds from the weekend will go towards school funds.
www.donegaldemocrat.ie
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 12 Iúil 2013
Donegal Democrat
670 primary schools in Northern Ireland set to lose millions in minister’s reform plan
July 12, 2013
Four out of five primary schools will be financially worse off under proposed plans by the Department of Education to change the way they are funded.
At a time when many schools are already under threat through the controversial area planning process aimed at rationalising the schools’ estate, figures obtained by the Belfast Telegraph show 670 of 832 primary schools could have less money to spend on teachers, classroom assistants and resources from 2014-15 — if the reforms are rubberstamped.
There are fears that the proposed changes — currently out for public consultation — will lead to teacher redundancies, bigger class sizes and more school closures as schools struggle to balance the books.
Some schools will see more than £40,000 slashed from their funding every year — more than a teacher’s salary. Former principal Sean Rodgers and the SDLP’s education spokesman has warned class sizes could soar to 36.
The biggest losers include St Colman’s Primary, Lisburn (£44,412); St Anne’s, Belfast (£40,538) and Ballyholme, Bangor (£35,121) — who will each have more than £100,000 less to spend over a three-year period.
Mr Rodgers, who is also on the board of governors of a primary school, said at Wednesday’s education committee: “I know the cuts that we have to make for our three-year projection, and I really worry about that.
“You might say that 1% does not make a big difference, but, if 1% is £8,000 or £9,000, over three years that will mean the loss of a teacher. It will mean increasingly large classes, more composite classes and whatever else.”
If the proposed changes to the common funding scheme/formula — how schools are funded — are given the green light by minister John O’Dowd, they could have a particularly detrimental impact on schools in rural areas, according to projected budgets based on 2013-14 pupil numbers.
Every school has been given a copy of what their new budget figures could be under the proposed changes, but they do not show the actual monetary difference. The North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) area will be the worst hit with nine out of 10 schools set to lose money as £1.1m is wiped off its budget.
Both the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) and South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) will see 85% of their schools’ impacted while the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) will have 82% of its schools affected. Yet in comparison just one in three schools in the Belfast Education and Library Board (BELB) will be worse off as millions of pounds of additional funding is poured into schools in the capital.
The minister wants to see the changes brought in so more funding is directed to schools in areas of social disadvantage. Speaking at the last education committee before the summer recess, John McGrath, deputy permanent secretary of the department, said: “I think that it is important to outline again why the minister considered it necessary to review the way in which schools are funded.
“He was not satisfied that the common funding scheme, as it sits, is fit for purpose. He does not believe that the current scheme adequately supports his key policy objectives, particularly those of raising standards and targeting social need.”
But he admitted: “Putting more money into TSN (targeting social need) factors gives a significant skew to schools with high numbers of pupils in receipt of free school meals, and some schools will lose out… they may well not have a future, but it would take two or three years for that to happen.”
Mervyn Storey, chairman of the education committee, warned: “The latest attempt by the minister and Department of Education to fix the funding problems of our education system is disappointing at best and discriminatory at worst.
“The consultation exercise appears to pitch school against school with large numbers ending up as losers in the process.
“Surely there is something wrong with a revised formula which, if implemented, would result in excess of 80% of the primary schools being losers.
STORY SO FAR
Education Minister John O’Dowd made a statement to the Assembly ‘Putting Pupils First: Reforming the Common Funding Scheme’, which determines how funds are allocated to schools, on June 11.
In the statement he said that the department would consult on his proposed changes to the common funding scheme. The consultation was launched on June 26 and will run until October 18 to give schools, individuals and organisations time to consider the proposals over the summer holidays. The changes are due to come into effect in 2014-15.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 12 Iúil 2013
Belfast Telegraph – Lindsay Fergus
Scrabble competition in Irish
July 12, 2013
Age: 12-15
Organised by Déaglan agus Malachaí
12th July, 2:00-3:30pm
in Loughrea's Irish Centre, Gaeilge Locha Riach
€30 euro voucher for winner
Participants to speak Irish only- English=disqualification!
Eolas — Info: 091 870718 | oifig@lochariach.com
Each participant needs a note from a parent/guardian confirming that they will be collected at 3.30, an emergency contact number, permission to use photos taken for publicity reasons agus that it is understood that Gaeilge Locha Riach is not responsible for anyone leaving the building during the competition or before being collected.
Gaeilge Locha Riach
091 870718 | oifig@lochariach.com | www.lochariach.com
Mayo teacher sought to work in this year’s Gaeltacht in Canada
July 12, 2013
An opportunity to see some of Canada … a week teaching Irish will pay your way … make what you will of it!
Gnó Mhaigh Eo and Gaeltacht Thuaisceart an Oileán Úir (The North American Gaeltacht) are giving an opportunity to a Gaeilgeoir from or living in Mayo to work in Canada as a teacher for a week as part of their Summer Course from the 11th-18th August, with their travel and accommodation provided.
Gaeltacht Thuaisceart an Oileán Úir is situated in Tamworth Ontario, it opened on June 16 2007, when a group of people with a great fondness for the language and culture decided to buy a plot of land to create the first Gaeltacht outside of Ireland. Their aim is to have an area where Irish is spoken as a community language and to provide an opportunity for people to immerse themselves in all aspects of Irish culture.
A variety of people from different backgrounds attend the courses at this Gaeltacht, people who’s descendants originated from Ireland, and even people who have no attatchment to Ireland but have a “grá” for our language and culture. Gaeltacht Thuaisceart an Oileán Úir does it’s best to immerse every student in all aspects of Irish culture – language, sport, dance, music, food, folklore, and they provide classes and workshops in all of these areas during their summer course.
Gaeltacht Thuaisceart an Oileán Úir have strong links with Mayo, with Mayo people having travelled there for the past three years and members of their Gaeltacht community attending events in Mayo. A number of years ago one member of their community spent six weeks learning Irish in Ceathrú Thaidhg, and another spent three weeks in Tuar Mhic Éadaigh last year.
If you are over 21 years of age, have fluent Irish, experience in teaching and organising fun activities and are interested in being part of the Gaeltacht Thuaisceart an Oileán Úir 2013 experience, send your CV with a covering letter explaining what you can contribute to this year’s Gaeltacht course to gno@gnomhaigheo.ie by Friday 19th July.
Gaeilge Locha Riach
091 870718 | oifig@lochariach.com | www.lochariach.com
(Gaeilge) Treoir maidir le Costas Maireachtála Mac Léinn 2013/14 Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Cliath (DIT) eisithe
July 11, 2013
(Gaeilge) Dianchúrsa scríbhneoireachta
July 11, 2013
Pobal na Gaeilge at centre of Europe’s largest Agricultural Show
July 10, 2013
24 September 2013 – 26 September 2013
President Michael D. Higgins will officially open the 82nd National Ploughing Championships on Tuesday 24th September 2013.
This year’s Championships is returning to its roots after seventy years and will take place in Ratheniska, Stradbally in Co Laois with hundreds of events and competition taking place until Thursday 26th September.
Another special feature to this year’s championships includes “Pobal na Gaeilge” grand marquee and for the first time ever the Irish language will take centre stage at the National Ploughing Championships with an entire marquee dedicated to Gaeilge.
The National Ploughing is an empire which has played a significant role in promoting and highlighting the plight of Irish Agriculture since 1931. In recent years this event has become one of Europe’s largest outdoor exhibitions and Agricultural Trade Shows the National Ploughing Championships attracts on average 1,100 exhibitors and 189,000 visitors. Exhibitors include major to family run local businesses around the country and in recent years Government Departments have become regular exhibitors.
This huge agricultural event attracts thousands of people from all age groups and individuals, famalies, community groups, schoolgoups and farmers alike can enjoy three days of showcasing from the agricultural sector and interaction with other rural communities around the country.
Up to twelve Irish language organisation and groups and individuals who deal with a wide range of Irish language services, resources and goods have combined forces and “Pobal na Gaeilge” will showcase the Irish language in a different light
These groups and organisations include Gael Linn, Ógras, Oideas Gael, An Spáilpín Fanach, Údarás na Gaeltachta Comhchoiste Náisiúnta na gColáistí Samhraidh (CONCOS), Oireachtas na Gaeilge, , Glór na nGael Foras na Gaeilge, Coláiste UISCE, TG4 and Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge
Many of the stands will showcase services, goods and information relating to events in local communities, sport, Irish language courses and gatherings, summer courses plus the public can purchase goods and various products which include Irish language resources, t-shirts and hoody’s, games, posters, books, Fáinne plus much more.
Visitors are welcome to come along and experience a wonderful taste of Irish language in Pobal na Gaeilge where events include entertainment from various well-known performers, music, dance, fun, competitions, CD launch and the launch of a new on-line bilingual digital service plus many other enjoyable activities.
'Pobal na Gaeilge' will be open to the public whether you are an fluent Irish speakers or just have Cúpla focal feel free to drop in.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Decision made regarding the core-funded Irish language voluntary sector
July 10, 2013
A final decision regarding the new funding system for the Irish language voluntary sector was made at a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) held in Armagh today, 10th July 2013.
In June 2013, Ministers discussed Foras na Gaeilge’s review of core funding and it was agreed that a further meeting of the NSMC Language Body will be held as soon as possible but not later than September in order to bring the process to a conclusion.
It has now been agreed, based on the new funding model proposed by Foras na Gaeilge last year, that 6 lead organisations operating on an all-island basis will deliver the following strategic priorities:
- Irish-medium education
- Irish language in English-medium education
- Language-centred community and economic development
- Language use
- Language awareness
- Youth networks
As well as the aforementioned themes, a new funding model for public radio services will be developed and funding for the provision of Irish language resources will continue through An tÁisaonad Lán-Ghaeilge, located in St. Mary’s University College, Belfast.
The CNCM has also recommended the establishment of an all-island partnership forum, including the heads of each of the 6 lead organisations, that will be responsible for sector strategies and promotion.
An all-island language development forum will also be established under the new model. This forum will made up of groups and public bodies funded by Foras na Gaeilge and will report to to the partnership forum on all matters relating to the sector’s work ón the ground.
At a NSCM meeting in March of this year, Ministers agreed to extend the existing core funding arrangements to 31 December 201 and it has now been agreed that these terms will now be extended to July 2014 when the new structure will come into force.
Speaking today about the NSMC decision, Director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, Kevin De Barra said: “After five long years of uncertainty, we haven’t learned all that much today, as these are the same themes we have been discussing with Foras na Gaeilge for quite a while. We have yet to understand how this links into the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish language, or what language planning model it is founded upon.”
“Meetings have been arranged between the organisations and Foras na Gaeilge for next week, and we hope that further information will be forthcoming at that time. As we are still in the dark in relation to the overall strategy behind this decision, it is difficult as yet to ascertain what advantages can be gained from asking organisations to compete with one another, and it is difficult to understand how this will be to the benefit of the Irish language”.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Foras na Gaeilge Press Release 10/07/2013
July 10, 2013