Your chance to learn Irish
September 3, 2012
“TO BE FLUENT in Irish by 2015” is the exciting and challenging target which over 2015 people across the north have currently committed themselves to as part of the ‘Líofa 2015’ project.
Líofa means fluent and the Líofa 2015 project is the brainchild of Carál Ní Chuilín, Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure in an effort to promote the Gaelic Language and culture.
The project has proved hugely successful and since the original target has not only been reached but exceeded, a new target of 5000 people has now been set.
There has never been a better time to learn the Irish language. Some people may want to communicate with their children who are learning Irish at school with simple words or phrases and some people may never have had the chance to learn the language and are curious about it.
There really is no reason not to tap into learning Irish. You have nothing to lose and lots of new experiences, thoughts and perspectives to gain.
Irish Language Development is being encouraged and promoted through your local Council in partnership with local community groups and relevant Irish Language organisations such as Foras na Gaeilge, the all-Ireland body responsible for the promotion of Irish.
“As September approaches, it is time to start thinking about availing of the many opportunities to learn Irish that will be out there from mid-September on in the Cookstown and Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council areas.” explains Seosaimhín Nic Eachaidh, Irish Language Development Officer.
Three levels of classes are generally offered – Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced – so that learners can learn at a pace that suits them. The numbers of locations in which classes are being made available is constantly increasing as more and more community groups are continuing to come forward to have classses organised in their community.
The Irish Language Development Officer is very much excited at this and wants to make other groups aware that the Councils can advise and help facilitate groups to develop Irish Language activity.
Some people may want to brush up on the Irish Language skills they acquired at school or night classes and they too, may like to attend a Beginners’ class if they want to be ‘comfortable’ or an Intermediate class if they want to be ‘pushed’.
At all three levels emphasis will be placed on confidence building, practical use of language, repetition and practise and this is often most needed at the Intermediate level.
Intermediate or Improvers’ classes are ideally suitable for those who have achieved good results in Irish at school in GCSE or A Level.
University of Ulster’s part-time Irish Language Diploma is unique in that it is ideally suited for both those who want to be ‘comfortable’ and simultaneously, for those who want to be ‘challenged’.
As a result of the Líofa campaign work is ongoing to establish an Irish Language Diploma programme in Cookstown in 2012/13 as it offers a fast-track to fluency.
The part-time Diploma programme offers flexibility as it is recognised that many of those wishing to be fluent by 2015 are learning the language in their spare time.
Dr Malachy Ó Neill explains: “This course is perfect for those who already have cúpla focal and who strive to; speak fluently, listen effectively, read confidently and write accurately.”
Successful Diploma graduates may enter Year 2 of part-time degree course or Year 1 of full time degree course. For more information contact Malachy Ó Néill via email at gaeilge@ulster.ac.uk.
www.tyronetimes.co.uk
The empty wallet
September 3, 2012
Simon Tierney finds ways to explore the Irish language and culture on less cash
Conradh na Gaeilge (6 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, tel: 01-475 7401) is a good spot for learning the lingo because it’s so central and easy to pop into after work. It operates Irish language classes for adults of all levels throughout the year. The next term begins at the end of September.
CnaG is offering a full term of weekly classes (worth up to €180) to the first five people to email brenda@cnag.ie. For details of times and levels, visit www.cnag.ie.
Even without realising it, we are surrounded by the cúpla focal every day, whether it’s hopping on the Luas at Na Ceithre Cúirteanna or listening to the Luas tannoy. The Church (Jervis Street/Mary Street Junction, Dublin 1, tel: 01-828 0102) hosts live traditional music from Sunday to Wednesday every week. It is offering dinner for two, with a bottle of house wine, in their Gallery Restaurant (normally up to €100), to the first three to email competitions@thechurch.ie with the answer to this question: who was married in The Church in 1761? This is a great spot to enjoy some traditional music in a location steeped in Irish history.
The Newbridge 200 Festival marks the bicentenary of the Co Kildare town, on September 6th-16th. A parade, fireworks, theatre and family activities are some of the events that will be lighting up Newbridge. There are four pairs of tickets (normally €15 for each ticket) up for grabs for the Anúna concert at St Conleth’s Church (Naas Road, Newbridge, Co Kildare) on September 15th. Email hazel@riverbank.ie
Conradh na Gaeilge has set up weekly gatherings around the country for those keen to develop Irish language conversational skills. The scheme is entitled “Is Leor Beirt”, or “It Only Takes Two”. For details see the Campaigns section of their website , www.cnag.ie.
Irish language play An Triail is being performed by Fíbín at the Hawks Well Theatre (Temple St, Sligo, Co Sligo, tel: 071-916 1518) on November 15th-16th. There are five free pairs of tickets (normally €12.50 for each ticket) available to the first readers to email info@hawkswell.com
Last but not least …
www.eumom.ie and www.ClapHandies.com are running a series of free play coffee mornings during September. Taking place in locations across Dublin, this is an opportunity to chat with other young parents in the community while the kids are entertained. To register, book and find out location details, log on to www.eumom.ie
www.irishtimes.com
Gaelscoil Neachtain to greet first pupils
September 3, 2012
The Interim Board of Governors of Gaelscoil Neachtain say they are “looking forward” to receiving children next Monday to the new Gaelscoil in Dungiven, approved in May of this year by Education Minister John O’Dowd.
The school will be located temporarily on a site located on the grounds of St Canice’s Primary school, said chairperson of the Gaelscoil, Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh.
“The school has been accommodated by St Canice P.S. and St Patrick’s College and there has been great co-operation over the summer between the schools in finding accommodation and facilities for the children of the Gaelscoil. We are delighted to be up and running and we look forward to the new school year and to welcoming the children on the first day of term,” she said.
The initial enrolment is 65 children and the uniform of the school “reflects the gaelic heritage of the locality”, said Ms Ní Bhrollaigh.
“The school crest is made up of an image of a window of the old Priory in Dungiven as the school is named after the first abbot of the Priory, a Scottish-born Saint called Saint Neachtain. The Priory was a centre of learning and students from across Europe came to receive tuition there. Tartan is incorporated into the uniform with a tartan tie, as a reference to the famous ‘Dungiven costume’ which included trousers made of tartan, woven in the Donegal style, unearthed in 1956 near Flanders, Dungiven, now on display in the Ulster Museum. The Dungiven Costume was thought to date to c.1600 and was perhaps originally the property of O’Cahan soldiers.”
Ms Ní Bhrollaigh said the School will be the first Irish medium school under the control of the Western Education and Library Board.
“The stand-alone Gaelscoil will provide a full immersion environment and will encourage the use of the Irish language throughout the school day to enhance the educational potential of the children and facilitate the learning process and appreciate the Irish language as a valuable and living heritage,” she added.
DERRY JOURNAL
Le Chéile Trí Chultúr – ag tógáil droichead idir óige an tuaiscirt
September 3, 2012
Is leor beirt
August 31, 2012
Lá Idirnáisiúnta Litearthachta Domhanda
August 31, 2012
Be a part of the nationwide project: Our Life in One Day
August 31, 2012
RTÉ and Macalla Teoranta are asking under 18s to join in the creation of an extraordinary documentary.
On Tuesday, September 25th 2012, hundreds of young people from all around Ireland will record and submit roughly two minutes of video of what they did or what they saw, felt or thought on that day.
Anything goes: an appointment with the dentist; a homework completed on the bus; a haircut, a song, a cow milked at dawn, a hedgehog discovered in the garden; a family get-together; a conker-hunt on the walk home from school; a viral video or Facebook session.
As for the techie stuff, contributions can be filmed on a smart-phone, an i-phone, a video camera, anything. Anyone who owns a recording device can be part of this unique documentary which will be broadcast later this year on RTÉ.
More information on the project will be available in the coming weeks on www.rte.ie/trte/ourlife.html or you can contact Macalla Teoranta (01)6703880 or 016704012 or 01 670 489 email ourlifeinoneday@gmail.com.
Gaeilge Locha Riach’s Heritage Week
August 30, 2012
Heritage Week – Gaeilge Locha Riach
Ceardlann: Drámaíocht don Ghaeilge agus Trasna an Churaclaim
August 30, 2012
School gets free toilet paper
August 30, 2012
A toilet-paper maker has come to the aid of a school that asked pupils to bring in their own toilet paper, towels, and soap to class due to Government funding cuts.
After the Irish Examiner’s weekend story about the policy at Gaelscoil Chloch na gCoillte in Co Cork was discussed on 2FM’s Breakfast with Hector show, producers decided to see if any Irish companies could help out.
Shane McEntaggart, sales manager at Dawn Paper & Tissue, heard the end of the item on the radio show on Monday and was surprised by the situation.
“I suppose it highlights problems with funding at a lot of schools, and we were happy to help in our own small way,” he said.
Every child and staff member at the school will be sent a 10-pack of the company’s new Silk ‘n’ Soft brand from the Drogheda factory, where 18 people work.
The toilet paper can be used in the washbags that all pupils from first to sixth classes must bring to school. The washbags must also include a hand towel and soap.
School principal Carmel Nic Airt said everybody at the school was grateful to Mr McEntaggart for his generous gesture. She said the washbag measure was introduced as the school tried to deal with falling income.
“We’re looking at creative ways to get a better bang for our buck with regard the funding available to us. Funding is being cut back and our costs have gone up,” Ms Nic Airt told radio presenter Hector Ó hEochagáin.
As highlighted in Saturday’s Irish Examiner, despite rising numbers, Department of Education grants to the school for running costs, bills, secretarial and caretaking services fell by €25,500 to €101,587. Like all primary schools, its capitation grant, used for insurance, heating, and other costs, has been cut by another 3.5% this year to €178 for each of the 320 pupils.
Ms Nic Airt said the washbag policy meant the school did not have to increase the €25 charge for each child under its book rental scheme.
With 320 pupils at the school, the gesture from Dawn Paper & Tissue will cost almost €700, as well as the cost of delivery to the school next week.
Breakfast With Hector producer Alan Swan said the colourful radio presenter saw it as an opportunity to help out the school and its families, as well as giving a little bit of promotion to an Irish business.
“This an Irish company doing a new product and hopefully, with their help, any money saved at the school can be used for educational purposes,” he said.
A similar policy introduced in 2009 at a primary school in Carrigaline, Co Cork, prompted a Dublin firm to send a toilet paper supply for its 540 pupils.
www.irishexaminer.com
