Grá don Ghaeilge
March 28, 2013
Seachtain na Gaeilge 2013 took place this year on March 4-17, and Irish people everywhere were dusting off their cúpla focal for the occasion.
Events as Gaeilge were organised around the country and national media and businesses took part; including Tayto, who released a limited edition multipack of ‘cáis agus oinniún’ crisps.
Unfortunately, with the end of the celebration comes the end of the use of Irish. Which begs the question – is two weeks a year enough to keep Ireland’s first national language alive?
Yvonne Ní Mhurchú, principal of Gaelscoil Longfoirt says that the language should be embraced all year long. “Consistency has to be shown and Irish should be used all year long. They can’t think of it as a festival or event that’s celebrated once a year like Christmas, and Hallowe’en,” she said.
Gaelscoil Longfoirt first opened its doors in 1998, and this year the school will celebrate its 15th birthday with the launch of their new interactive website. Ms Ní Mhurchú hopes that this website will help both those in the school community and the wider public to keep up their use of the Irish language, and encourage them to continue to learn.
Of course, there are those who say Irish is a dead language and a waste of valuable resources. It has even been suggested that Irish should become an optional subject in schools. Ms Ní Mhurchú strongly disagrees, saying that people’s mindset towards the language needs to change.
“It’s very important to focus on the positive, not the negative. If Irish is optional, should maths be optional? If school was optional, how many would attend? It’s all about living the language and using it as a social medium. What’s good for Béarla is good for Gaeilge.”
Indeed according to the 2011 census figures, Irish is far from dead. The results gathered by the CSO tell us that 1,759,026 people in Ireland – over a third of the population- have some knowledge of the Irish language. Out of those people, over 77,000 said that they used Irish on a daily basis outside of the education system. Furthermore, according to Gaelscoileanna TEO in the academic year 2011/2012 there was over 43,000 pupils attending Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht in the island of Ireland.
Irish-medium schools are crucial to the development and upkeep of the language, and there are several advantages to a Gaelscoil education. Ms Ní Mhurchú explains that when a child attends a Gaelscoil “that child is not just learning a language, but becoming bilingual” which has proven to be beneficial when it comes to understanding other cultures and learning new languages.
In the President’s “Being Young and Irish” report which was published in March 2013, the Irish language and identity are listed amongst the most important things to the youth in Ireland today. Ms Ní Mhurchú believes we should grant them their wish and give them their identity, adding that “identity is the one thing we have. It is important and crucial to us all.”
While Seachtain na Gaeilge is a wonderful celebration of Irish and “irishness”, more needs to be done all year round to keep that same love and enthusiasm for the language.
Ms Ní Mhurchú makes the point that it’s not difficult to keep using Irish, and that there are opportunities out there for those wishing to use it.
“I love giving children a love for Irish and I encourage them to avail of the opportunities that are available to them. Irish has to be a living language. Put your Irish on Facebook and Twitter, and enjoy yourself in Irish.”
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 28 Márta 2013
Ceardlann Drámaíochta: Tuairimí Drámaíochta don Aos Óg
March 27, 2013
Cén uair? Dé Sathairn an 13 Aibreán, 10.30 – 1.30
Cén áit? Seomra M229, Institúid Oideachais Marino.
Úna McCabe a bheidh i mbun na ceardlainne seo, dírithe ar an drámaiocht don aos óg, 3-6 bliana d’aois. Ceardlann phraiticiúil a bheidh anseo, do dhaoine a bhíonn ag obair le leanaí 3-6 bliana d’aois. Pléifear neart smaointe agus tuairimí maidir le tús a chur le drámaíocht, agus le bogadh ar aghaidh le drámaíocht leis an aoisghrúpa seo. Díreofar ar an leabhar “Owl Babies”, le Martin Waddell. Foghlaimeoidh na rannpháirtithe conas pointí tosaigh maithe don drámaíocht a aithint. Beidh na gníomhaíochtaí sa cheardlann seo inaistrithe thar leabhair agus topaicí eile. Cuirfear nótaí ar fáil freisin, agus moltaí maidir leis na gníomhaíochtaí a chur in oiriúint don raon aoise, ón bpáiste réamhscoile go dtí na Naíonáin Shinsearacha.
As Béarla a reachtálfar an Cheardlann, ach beidh na tuairimí agus gníomhaíochtaí luachmhar do gach duine a bhíonn ag obair leis an aoisghrúpa seo.
Bhain an Dr. Una McCabe PhD in Drámaíocht sna Blianta Tosaigh amach i Roinn an Oideachais Luath-Óige i gColáiste na hOllscoile, Corcaigh, agus múineann sí Oideachas Drámaíochta i gColáiste Phádraig, Drom Conrach. Scríobh sí an leabhar “Classroom Drama: A Practical Guide”, téacs luachmhar do mhúinteoirí agus do mhicléinn drámaíochta. Tá spéis ar leith ag Una in obair le páistí réamhscoile agus le naíonáin.
Téigh chuig www.adei.ie chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil agus chun áit a chur in áirithint.
Ranganna, tionscnaimh & ceardlanna ceoil trí Ghaeilge
March 27, 2013
Cuireann ‘An Mobile Music School’ cláir ceoil, ranganna dírithe ar na huirlisí agus ceardlanna ar fáil i scoileanna. Tá foireann iontach proifisiúnta againn. Tá gach duine againn cáilithe agus ina theannta sin, tá taithí iontach againn. Bheadh an fhoireann sásta na ranganna a chur ar fáil trí mhéan na Gaeilge. Is minic a bhíonn an fhoireann i dteagmháil le scoileanna agus go dtí seo, tá suim mhór léirithe ag scoileanna ins na ranganna atá a chur ar fáil againn. Ar an ábhar sin, ba bhreá linn deis a fháil labhairt leat agus ár ndóigh cúpla rang nó ceardlann a chur ar siúl i do scoil.
Faoi láthair, tá dhá tairiscint iontach á chur ar fáil againn. Táimid ag súil le ‘Lá na nDrumaí’ a chur ar siúl i scoileanna. Cosnaíonn na laethanta seo €2 an dalta ar an mbunús go bhfuil idir 27 – 32 dalta i ngach rang. Ina theannta sin, is féidir linn cláir seachtainiúil a chur le chéile ó €1 an dalta.
Má tá spéis agat na ceardlanna nó na ranganna iontacha seo a chur ar siúl, ná bíodh drogall ar bith ort dul i dteagmháil linn. Bheadh muid an-sásta glacadh le ceisteanna agus tá an fhoireann ag súil go mór le cloisteáil uait.
shay@mobilemusicschool.ie
087-2995666
Win tickets to Siansa Gael Linn
March 26, 2013
This week two lucky subscribers will win two tickets each to the grand finale of Siansa Gael Linn which will take place in the National Concert Hall in Dublin on Sunday, 14th April 2013.
Siansa Gael Linn is a competition aimed at young traditional music and singing groups and the competition has being going from strength to strength since it was first held in 2001.
On the night eight groups representing secondary schools in Co. Galway, Derry, Dublin Limerick, Co. Waterford and Sligo will perform a 10-12 minute performance with emphasis on various elements of music i.e. rhythm, phrasing, notes, etc. to create imaginative links between the tunes/song.
The groups will be judged on their overall performance on the night, incorporating choice of music, arrangement, singing and ensemble playing. And this year’s judges include the Donegal fiddler, Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, founder of the group ‘Fidil’, the renowned box player and singer Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich from Baile na bPoc in West Kerry and who is a member of trad bands ‘Beginish’ and ‘Boys of the Lough’ they will be joined on the night with the highly respected whistle-player, Mary Bergin, who has worked with ‘Dé Danann’ and ‘Dordán’ over the years.
The young traditional music group Teaspach from Sligo were last year’s winners and they were amongst the performs who took the stage in January during this year’s Templebar Tradfest.
As they are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year, Gael Linn Gael Linn are delighted that President Michael D. Higgins will attend this year’s Siansa final. The concert will be broadcast live from the National Concert Hall on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta at 7.30p.m. and will be compered by the station’s popular presenter, Áine Hensey.
Siansa provides a platform for traditional groups who are aiming to develop their own traditional style as did groups such as Dervish, Solas, Altan, Danú, Téada, etc.
This week’s question:
Where will this year’s grand finale of Siansa Gael Linn take place?
• Limerick University’s Concert Hall
• National Concert Hall
• Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich
• Wexford Opera House
Please forward answers along with yours school’s name and contact details to the following email address: duais@comhdhail.ie and have the words “Comórtas Gaelport” as the subject of your mail.
The closing date for receipt of entries is 12 noon Wednesday, 3rd April 2013.
Congratulations to Anraí Mac Fhlannchadha from Dublin who won prizes in our last competition.
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge are very grateful to Gael Linn who kindly gave us these great prizes for this competition.
A limited amount of tickets for the event are still available from the National Concert Hall on 01:4170000 / www.nch.ie – don’t miss it !
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Bruíon na mbuíon ar RónánBeo@3 – spriocdháta ag teannadh linn!
March 26, 2013
Féile na bPáistí i mBéal Feirste
March 26, 2013
Féile na bPáistí 2013
March 26, 2013
Féile na bPáistí will take place in Béal an Mhuirthead, Co. Mayo from 2nd-4th April 2013.
Many events aimed at kids will include workshops, drama, exhibitions plus much more.
The festival will take place during the Easter holidays so that children will have the opportunity to participate in various cultural events. A wonderful few days of fun and family activity is promised!
The festival will take place in Áras Inis Gluaire, Co. Mayo. Carmel Balfe will lead a workshop with drumming and a puppet shoe while the talented Fanzini Brothers will perform a magical live show.
Further information:
Áras Inis Gluaire
Béal an Mhuirthead
Co. Mhaigheo
T: 097 81079 / R: t.mccafferty@arasinisgluaire.ie
Website: www.arasinisgluaire.ie
Freedom Surf School launches new Irish language Surfing Certificate
March 26, 2013
Freedom Surf School has launched a new weekend surfing certificate through Irish in association with Billabong.
Based in Tramore, Co. Waterford near the Gaeltacht of ‘An Rinn’, Freedom Surf School has been running for 30 years. There is a huge demand for surfing classes in Irish which the school provides as well as summer courses for different ages.
The school along with the established brand Billabong have drawn together an excellent program where participant will receive recognized certification at the end of the course.
Director of Freedom Surf School, Billy Butler said:“Certified by the Irish Surfing Association this Surfing Certificate Course through Irish is suitable for anyone who would like to gain a recognised beginner to intermediate standard of Surfing through Irish. We are delighted to be able to offer it with the Support of Foras na Gaeilge and our elite partner Billabong.”
More information on the certificate is available on www.freedomsurfschool.com.
New children’s book published by Futa Fata
March 26, 2013
The latest book by author Patricia Forde was launched in Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe last week.
Lísín – Scoil na bPáistí (Lísín – The School for Posh Children) is a picture-book which tells the story of a young pirate starting in a new exclusive school and her struggle to fit in with the posh students.
The book is illustrated by French artist Joelle Dreidemy and is the fourth book from the author to be published by Futa Fata.
Children from Gaelscoil Dara, Scoil Fhursa and Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh attended the book launch in An Taibhdhearc at which Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin and his daughter Róise played a selection of music from his CDs including Ceol na Mara and Peigín Leitir Móir.
Lísín – Scoil na bPáistí a is available to buy from www.futafata.ie and good bookshops nationwide for €7.95.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Suirbhé Pobail ar Sheirbhís Nuachta Gaeilge – Glac Páirt agus Scaip an Scéal
March 25, 2013
