Buntáiste Breise na Gaeilge i gCeatharlach
February 3, 2011
Scléip – Winners of the Ulster Heat
February 3, 2011
The Ulster Heat took place in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin in Derry on February 1st and there were 4 schools with us on the day. Congratulations to everyone who took part, it was a great competition and all of the participants deserve praise for the wonderful show they put on for us. We're looking forward to the Competiton Final in the Axis theatre (in Ballymun, Dublin) on April 2nd. If you've any photographs from last Thursday's event, we'd be delighted if you emailed them to us. Here's the list of winners:
- Traditional and classical music (solo): Áine Ní Fhlanagáin, Coláiste Oiriall, Monaghan
- Modern music (solo): Emma Ní Fhuaruisce, Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, Donegal
- Traditional and classical singing: Emma Ní Fhuaruisce, Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, Donegal
- Traditional and classical music (group): An Crann Óg, Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, Donegal
- Modern music (group): Róisín Ní Dhuifinn & Seán Ó Coinne, Coláiste Feirste, Antrim
- Creative dance: Aoibheann Ní Mhuimhne, Coláiste Chineál Eoghain, Donegal
- Drama and mime: Eva Ní Dhoibhlinn & Ciarán Mac a Gheimhridh, Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, Donegal
- Variety: Trí A, Coláiste Oiriall, Monaghan
- Judges’ Award: Rosie Nic Gairbheith, Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, Donegal
Cuairteanna treoraithe chuig Iarsmalann Pháirc an Chrócaigh
February 2, 2011
Bua na cainte ag curaidh Chomórtas Uí Chadhain Gael Linn 2011!
January 31, 2011
Scléip – Winners of the Connaught heat
January 28, 2011
The Connaught Heat took place in the Town Hall Theatre in Galway on January 27th and there were 4 schools with us on the day. Congratulations to everyone who took part, it was a great competition and all of the participants deserve praise for the wonderful show they put on for us. We're looking forward to the Competiton Final in the Axis theatre (in Ballymun, Dublin) on April 2nd. If you've any photographs from last Thursday's event, we'd be delighted if you emailed them to us.
- Traditional and classical music (solo): Colene Ní Niadh, Gairmscoil na bPiarsach, Gaillimh
- Modern music (solo): Peadar Ó Goill, Gairmscoil Éinne, Gaillimh
- Modern music (group): Téip na Lachan, Coláiste Chroí Mhuire, Gaillimh
- Traditional and classical music (group): Céad Slán, Coláiste Chroí Mhuire, Gaillimh
- Drama and mime: "Raic", Coláiste Chroí Mhuire, Gaillimh
- Judges’ Award: Hannah Ní Laoire, Coláiste Chroí Mhuire, Gaillimh
Scléip – Winners of the Munster heat
January 28, 2011
The Munster Heat took place in the Firkin Crane Theatre in Cork on January 25th and there were 9 schools with us on the day. Congratulations to everyone who took part, it was a great competition and all of the participants deserve praise for the wonderful show they put on for us. We're looking forward to the Competiton Final in the Axis theatre (in Ballymun, Dublin) on April 2nd. If you've any photographs from last Tuesday's event, we'd be delighted if you emailed them to us.
- Traditional and classical music (solo): Deirdre Ní Mhaoláin, Coláiste FCJ, Laurel Hill, Limerick
- Modern music (solo): Mattie Barker, Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Kerry
- Traditional and classical singing: Róisín Ní Dhonnchú, Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Cork
- Modern music (group): “Mo”, Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Kerry
- Creative dance: “Cosmhuintir”, Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Cork
- Traditional and classical music (group): “Grúpa Thraidisiúnta Coláiste FCJ”, Coláiste FCJ, Laurel Hill, Limerick
- Drama and mime: “Tintreach”, Meánscoil San Nioclás, Waterford
- Variety: Gearóid Ó Gealbháin, Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí, Kerry
- Judges’ Award: Abbi Ní Loingsigh, Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Cork
Main parties differ on their education policies
January 28, 2011
KEY differences in education policy have emerged between Fine Gael and Labour — the next likely partners in government.
The parties are set to clash over the issue of compulsory Irish in the Leaving Certificate. Fine Gael wants Irish to be optional after the Junior Cert. But Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has backed the present position where students are obliged to study Irish up to Leaving Cert but are not compelled to sit it in the exam.
Labour’s Irish language spokesman, Brian O’Shea, confirmed that he and Mr Gilmore had told Conradh na Gaeilge, the Irish-language organisation, that they favoured maintaining the status quo in relation to Irish. The reassurance has been welcomed by Conradh general secretary Julian de Spainn. However, he has criticised Fine Gael’s policies, which have been expressed by party leader Enda Kenny, a fluent Irish speaker, on several occasions. Mr de Spainn predicted that making Irish optional would cause a dramatic decline in the number of students taking the subject.
“You could have parents telling their children in second class in primary school not to worry about the subject, because they do not have to study it at the Leaving Cert."
Irish Independent
25 Eanáir 2011
Campaigners to lobby Fine Gael
January 28, 2011
Irish language campaigners from Donegal and around the country will lobby Fine Gael politicians in coming weeks to oppose the party’s proposal to drop Irish from Leaving Certificate requirements.
They are also calling on the public to raise the issue with canvassers. A meeting on Friday organised by Guth na Gaeltachta and Conradh na Gaeilge drew about 50 people to Galway to discuss the proposal and its implications. Éamonn Mac Niallais, spokesperson for Guth na Gaeltachta, a representative of Conradh na Gaeilge and a representative of the Union of Students in Ireland met last week with Eamon Gilmore, TD. They received the Labour leader’s assurances that if his party were in government after the general election, they would support the retention of the Irish requirement for the Leaving Cert and would “stand their ground against Fine Gael,” Mr. Mac Niallais said. “We didn’t expect them to be that clear-cut about it but we were very, very encouraged,” Mr. Mac Niallais said.
Dinny McGinley, Fine Gael TD for Donegal South-West and a native Irish speaker, could not be reached for comment yesterday by the time of going to press. “Basically the only party now advocating this position is Fine Gael, so really it leaves us to put pressure on Fine Gael between now and the election,” Mr. Mac Niallais said. He said the Irish-language organisations that attended Friday’s meeting, including colleges, universities and other groups, are also requesting a meeting with the Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, TD.
“Irish is our national language. No other country in the world would have that as an optional subject,” said Gráinne Mhic Gheidigh, Sinn Féin member of Údarás na Gaeltachta, who attended Friday’s meeting. Mrs. Mhic Gheidigh, herself a native speaker, said that major reforms were needed in the teaching of Irish. “But I believe the way to go is to look at it positively and to provide investment and support,” she said. Mrs. Mhic Gheidigh said that making Irish an optional Leaving Cert subject would have “terrible implications” for the language and for the Gaeltacht economy. An immediate effect, she said, would be “the destruction of the Gaelic colleges. If students don’t have to do Irish for their leaving they’re not going to be coming to the Gaeltacht.” She had brought a motion before Údarás supporting the 20-year strategy on the language, which would also retain Irish as a compulsory Leaving subject.
Mr. Mac Niallais said, “If we want to protect the language and protect the summer colleges, we have to be pro-active on this.”
Donegal Democrat
25 Eanáir 2011
Caith vóta leis an nGaeilge
January 28, 2011
Irish Careers Seminar to visit Carlow
January 28, 2011
As part of its tour around Ireland Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge will organise a careers seminar for teenagers in the Dolmen Hotel in Carlow on Thursday, 24th March 2011.
Teachers and students alike will hear speakers discussing the advantages which the Irish language affords young people when choosing their careers.
Speakers will include Traic Ó Braonáin who works with Coláiste na bhFiann. Emma Whitmore will also give an insight into her post as a development officer with Glór Cheatharlach in Carlow and her challenging role in highlighting the importance of the Irish language while promoting Irish language events and the language in Carlow.
Mairéad Ní Mhurchú will discuss her own experiences in her role as producer and director with Nemeton, an independent television production company based in the Waterford Gaeltacht.
Representatives from various third level institutes will be present to speak about the third level opportunities available to those wishing to pursue their education through the medium of Irish.
If your school is interested in attending this seminar or if you require any further information about this seminar please contact Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge at 01 679 4780 or by sending an e-mail to brighid@comhdhail.ie
