Comórtas Griangrafadóireachta ‘An Timire’
December 9, 2013
Aimsir – a new Irish language app
December 9, 2013
Detailed weather forecasts in Irish for the iPhone
Aimsir is a new initiative from Moonswing, a company based in Athlone, that provides users with an outlook of the weather through Irish.
Data from the OpenWeatherMap is used to provide accurate and detailed current and seven day forecasts through Irish.
As well as general weather forecasts, Aimsir also provides information on wind strength and direction, atmospheric pressure and humidity.
The app also aims to present the user with as wide range of much Irish language vocabulary as possible.
A large amount of the data is provided in text format and words and terms are translated in the glossary section of the app as well as several other tools which allow learners to become accustomed to working with numbers and dates through Irish.
Moonswing plans to add many more features to Aimsir in forthcoming releases, including audio clips for the Irish vocabulary.
Aimsir is available to download worldwide from the iTunes App Store https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/aimsir-irish-language-weather/id764362817?mt=8
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
A wonderful selection of Irish gift ideas
December 9, 2013
It’s that time of year again when the search for that special Christmas present or that socking filler to give this Christmas is well and truly underway.
Whether it’s a book for beginners or children’s books, t-shirts, hoodie, cards, cd’s or DVDs you are looking for there is a whole range of ideas that will make the perfect gift this Christmas.
In County Mayo, Shop ‘n Spraoi na Nollag’ Christmas market will take place in Westport from 13th to 15th December 2013. Local artisan food and craft producers will be displaying top quality handmade trinkets, dishes and gifts. You can choose from a wide array of gifts: wooden carvings, handbags, soaps, stained glass, woolen goods, pottery, dolls, jewellery and clothing. Gnó Mhaigh Eo will have a stand at the Shop ‘n Spraoi with the ‘Déanta i Maigh Eo’ products which incorporate the Irish language in their branding or on the products themselves.
Cló Mhaigh Eo is based in Claremorris and has a wide selection of books to suit children and beginners. The beautifully illustrated book Gráinne Mhaol, which was published by Cló Mhaigh Eo, was awarded Gradam Réics Carló for the best publication for young readers during gradam Leabhar na Bliana 2013. To view the full range of books available www.leabhar.com.
An Spailpín Fánach, located in An Spidéal in Conamara, sells a wide range of gifts from cards, cds, Irish signs and a wonderful selection of t-shirts and hoodies with various Irish language phrases on them. For further details on what they have to offer visit www.spailpin.com.
Bricíní – A children’s books festival will take place in Seanscoil Shailearna, Indreabhán from 13th- 14th December 2013 and a wide selection of books will be on sale during the festival which is being organised by Pléaráca Chonamara. Guests at this festival include the talented singer and writer Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin from Futa Fata who will delight the audience with his readings. Futa Fata who are based in An Spidéal have brilliant socking filler’s and some great gift ideas for kids this Christmas with some beautiful books and cd’s, all available from www.futafata.ie.
Cló Iar-Chonnacht has an incredible selection of newly published books instore this Christmas and their annual Christmas sale is in full swing until 23rd December. Customers can avail of great deals and discounts on Irish books and traditional Irish music on www.cic.ie or by visiting the Cló Iar-Chonnacht shop in Indreabhán, Co. Galway. They are open from Monday to Friday and will also be open on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd December from 12 noon -5pm especially for Christmas.
The best way to learn a language is to enjoy it and the range of Irish language games on the market right now are sure to get people enjoying Irish and once again this year Údar stock many Irish language products plus a wide range of educational items. These games can be enjoyed by everybody with an interest in improving their spelling and vocabulary and particularly those with a competitive streak. Scrabble as Gaeilge is available nationwide and Scrabble na n-Óg, a junior edition, as well as other games like League Leader Iománaíocht, Biongó and Memory Dominoes are available from www.udar.ie.
An Siopa Leabhar on Harcourt street in the heart of the capital city boasts a wide range of Irish language books suitable for all ages. Individuals can choose from history books, novels, dictionaries and children’s books plus many other products all these are available in-store or online at www.cnag.ie/siopa.
In Gleann Cholm Cille in Northwest Donegal, An Siopa Gaeilge is located in Oideas Gael and has a wide variety of gifts available from beautiful children’s books to cd’s. Visit www.siopagaeilge.ie.
An Siopa Cultúr / Cairde Teo is located in Armagh and has a wonderful selection of gift ideas for all ages including a trendy selection of t-shirts, hoodies, hats and jackets with Irish language logos, ceramics and a wide range of pottery, cards, signs plus fun stuff for children. To see what’s on offer visit www.siopacultur.com.
There is no doubt that the most recognisable teddy in the world will be in high demand again this year. Bábóg Baby www.babogbaby.com is on sale nationwide and is now available in Irish, English, Welsh and Scots Gaelic.
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Guíonn Gaelscoileanna Teo. gach rath ar na heolaithe óga!
December 9, 2013
Gael Linn – 60 bliain i saol na Gaeilge
December 9, 2013
Bricíní – Féile Leabhar do Dhaoine Óga
December 6, 2013
Pléaráca Chonamara are hosing Bricíní a Youth Book Festival (Féile Leabhar do Dhaoine Óga) which will take place in Conamara on Friday 13th & Saturday 14th December 2013. A wonderful two days of fun, reading, lecture and literature will take place. This event is aimed at primary and post-primary pupils. A wide selection of books will be on sale during the festival. On Friday 13th December the talented writer Darach Ó Scolaí will officially open the book festival. This will be followed by various events throughout the day with reading by Diarmuid de Faoite, Gemma Breathnach and a lecture on one of Ireland finest writer and poets Máirtín Ó Direáin from Inis Mór. At pm Beartla Broc will conduct a reading session. On Saturday 14th December a wonderful selection of books suitable for all ages will be on sale as well as reading by Diarmuid de Faoite prizes will alos be presented to pupils who entered the poetry and art competitions. Later in the afternoon Gwyneth Uí Ghaora and Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin will delight the audience with their readings. The festival will come to a closure with a wonderful exhibition of drum sounds with Colm de Bhaldraithe & friends. Venue: Seanscoil Shailearna, Indreabhán Co. Galway
Further information
Fón: (091) 574882/574346 /
E: Oifigeachealaiona@gmail.com
www.plearaca.ie
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An Réiltín is Gile – dráma le Fíbín
December 5, 2013
Nuachtlitir Ráth Chairn
December 5, 2013
A dark day for the Irish language
December 5, 2013
Irish language community concerned over resignation of Irish Language Commissioner
Language Commissioner, Seán Ó Cuirreáin, announced on 4 December 2013 that he is to resign from his position on 23 February 2014.
An Coimisinéar made this announcement while discussing the Annual Report of An Coimisinéir Teanga 2012 in front of the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions. Referring to the report, Ó Cuirreáin said that 2012 “was not a vintage year for the promotion of the Irish language in the public sector, and for every one step forward there appeared to have been two steps backwards”.
The Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga was established in 2004 under the Official Languages Act 2003 to monitor the compliance of public bodies with provisions under the Act.
During the discussion, the Commissioner referred to the lack of implementation and the low standard of the language scheme system, the lack of competence in Irish throughout the stateservice, and the government’s decision to merge the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga with the Office of the Ombudsman, although no details have been made available regarding this since it was announced in November 2011.
An Coimisinéar criticised the government’s new recruitment policy for the stateservice and estimated that it would take 28 years to raise the current level of fluency in Irish in the Department of Education and Skills from 1.5% to 3%.
While discussing the vacuum which has surrounded the review of the Official Languages Act 2003, proposed in November 2011, An Coimisinéar stated that should the use of Irish in dealing with Gaeltacht communities and ensuring an adequate Irish language capacity in public administration not be addressed, any amendment will be seen “as a fudge, a farce or a falsehood”.
An Coimisinéir said that he had not seen “morale and confidence so low” among the Irish community in his 30 years of work, and that the current public administration system is marginalising the language.
Following the years in the role, and with two more left in his appointed term, Ó Cuirreáin said that “there is little else I can personally achieve in that timeframe in relation to language rights for Irish speakers and Gaeltacht communities”. It is therefore with regret that I announce that I have decided to resign from my position as Coimisinéir Teanga on 23rd February next. I have informed the President of Ireland of this decision today as required by legislation”.
Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh described the 4 December 2013 as a dark day for the Irish-speaking community but said that he understood the commissioner’s decision was based on principle. Referring to the heavily critical report compiled by an Coimisinéar, Ó Clochartaigh said that it is impossible for the office to fulfil its duties with little or no support from the government or from state bodies.
Minister of State Dinny McGinley expressed regret at an Coimisinéar’s decision to resign two years prior to completing his appointment, 16 April 2014.
Conradh na Gaeilge described the announcement as a “disastrous blow to the Irish language”.
“The announcement made by An Coimisinéir Teanga today that he is to resign is undoubtedly the worst blow to the Irish language in many long years. Conradh na Gaeilge can well understand his reasons for stepping down; the Government has made bad decision after bad decision in relation to the Irish language since taking office in 2011. One only has to look at the decision to merge An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) into the NCCA, the total disregard shown by the Government for the amendments recommended for the Gaeltacht Act 2012, and even the changes planned for the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga itself” said Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge, Donnchadh Ó hAodha.
Kevin De Barra, Stiúrthóir Chomhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, said “Seán Ó Cuirreáin and his team could not have done anymore over the past ten years to ensure the correct implementation of the Official Languages Act. That role has become more challenging in recent years due to the lack of support from government and the general lack of political will.
“The review of the Act, announced in November 2011, was a positive step towards implementation, however, we are still waiting for the results of that process two years later. It is a huge blow to the Irish language that someone as fair and versatile as Seán Ó Cuirreáin is resigning from such an important role, but I completely understand his reasons for doing so”.
“What is the point in having the Office of An Coimisinéar Teanga if it receives no support from the government, as this makes it impossible for the commissioner and his team to fulfil their duties”, he said.
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Update on Gael-Choláiste an Phiarsaigh, opening in 2014
December 5, 2013
Information for first year parents (2014-15)
The Board would like to invite you, and all parents who have registered their children for the academic year starting September 2014, to a meeting in St John’s GAA Club House, Ballinteer, on Wednesday the 18 December 2014, 8.00pm.
