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Fóram Plé: Dea-scéal don Ghaeilge le heisiúint thorthaí an Teastais Shóisearaigh

September 14, 2012

#Gtuít: First ever Irish language tweetup

September 11, 2012

#Gtuít, the first ever Irish language tweetup will take place in The Culture Box, 12 Essex Street in Dublin’s Templebar on Thursday 27 September from 6-17.15 pm. Developments in technology as well as the success stories of Irish language campaigns online will be some of topics discussed at the open event which is free to the public.

Irish language news and information website, Gaelport.com is organising the event. It is timely that the event should take place as 2012 has been a phenomenal year for social media and a year where the Irish language community has really harnessed digital media to communicate with speakers across the globe, according to editor of Gaelport.com, Niamh Ní Shúilleabháin.

“We hope to give Irish speakers and those with an interest in digital media and technology the chance to network in person with those who use social networks on a daily basis to communicate as Gaeilge”, she notes.
The event is taking the format of a mash-up between a tweetup and information session but will be open not only to Twitter users but to users of other social networks such as Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+ as well as users of the Irish languages own social network Abair Leat which was launched earlier this year.

“We are delighted that one of the founders of Abair leat, Mícheál Ó Foighil will speak at the Gtuít about the abair leat social network and he will also speak about Irish language college Coláiste Lurgan’s sensational success in bringing the Irish language to a new generation on YouTube”, she adds.

Emerging trends and developments on line will also be discussed by Fiachra Ó Marcaigh, Director of internet consultancy firm Amas.
“We hope that the #Gtuít will kick-start a discussion of the role of the Irish language in future technologies and that it will inspire new developers, bloggers, organisations to come together and create new Irish language digital projects in the future”, says Niamh.

An #Gtuít will take place from 6-7.15pm in the Culture Box in Templebar Thursday September 27th. All are invited to attend. Gtuíters wishing to tweet and blog from the #Gtuít are invited to use the #Gtuít hashtag on Twitter and on other social networks.

Gaelport.com is a digital media project of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and receives funding from Foras na Gaeilge. Gaelport.com wishes to acknowledge the support of the Templebar Cultural Trust in organising this event.

For further information contact Niamh Ní Shúilleabháin: 01 679 4780/0879624868 niamh@gaelport.com
www.gaelport.com/gtuit

Cois Teallaigh Conversational Irish Language Groups

September 6, 2012

1 October 2012 – 26 November 2012

1 October 2012 – 26 November 2012

This coming Autumn Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge located in Kildare Street intend to get Dublin city talking as Gaeilge by once again facilitating Irish Language Conversational groups every Monday evening.

This is a wonderful opportunity for members of the public to meet up and practice their Irish in a social atmosphere, and to meet other Irish speakers at the same time.

The conversational group is suitable for adults. Individuals are more than welcome to join us and join in the fun while enjoying a cup of tea/coffee!

Our next get together will take place in Cois Teallaigh, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, 46 Kildare Street, Dublin 2 on Monday 1st October 2012 from 4:00-5:30pm

So why not come along and strike up a conversation As Gaeilge and brush up on your Irish skills in a relaxed atmosphere.

The total cost is €12 per person for 8 weeks from 1st October – Monday 26th November 2012. (There will be no gathering on the bank holiday weekend in October)

To join us just register your name with Brígíd on 01 679 47 80 / brighid@comhdhail.ie

Come on strike up a conversation As Gaeilge!

Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com

This coming Autumn Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge located in Kildare Street intend to get Dublin city talking as Gaeilge by once again facilitating Irish Language Conversational groups every Monday evening.

This is a wonderful opportunity for members of the public to meet up and practice their Irish in a social atmosphere, and to meet other Irish speakers at the same time.

The conversational group is suitable for adults. Individuals are more than welcome to join us and join in the fun while enjoying a cup of tea/coffee!

Our next get together will take place in Cois Teallaigh, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, 46 Kildare Street, Dublin 2 on Monday 1st October 2012 from 4:00-5:30pm

So why not come along and strike up a conversation As Gaeilge and brush up on your Irish skills in a relaxed atmosphere.

The total cost is €12 per person for 8 weeks from 1st October – Monday 26th November 2012. (There will be no gathering on the bank holiday weekend in October)

To join us just register your name with Brígíd on 01 679 47 80 / brighid@comhdhail.ie

Come on strike up a conversation As Gaeilge!

Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com

40 jobs to be created in Irish language preschool sector

September 5, 2012

Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta today announced the opening of 23 new naíonraí throughout September 2012.

The new preschool centres will open in Dublin, Kerry, Cork, Galway, Westmeath, Wicklow, Meath and Wexford.

A record 25 naíonraí were opened in 2011, 8 units more than 2010, and it appears as if the demand for Irish-medium preschooling has remained as high this year.

Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta’s Chairperson, Máire Uí Bhriain said: “In the past three years we’ve seen unprecedented growth in the Irish medium early years sector. We believe this to be as a result of a combination of factors: Firstly, the introduction of the ECCE scheme has ensured increased access to our services and secondly, parents now realise the added developmental benefits to children of the Total-Early Immersion model followed by Naíonraí.’

As well as an increase in preschool places, the new naíonraí will also create an estimated 40 new jobs within the education and Irish language sectors.

Clíona Frost, CEO of Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta said: ‘Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta is delighted that so many new Naíonra services are opening this year. In the current economic climate, we do not often get good news stories like this: 23 new Naíonraí, initially 40 new jobs and hundreds of additional preschool children attending naíonraí for their free-preschool year and acquiring Irish in a safe, secure and friendly setting.

For more information on the new naíonra and Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta visit www.naionrai.ie.

The naíonraí due to open in September 2012 are:

  • Naíonra an Choillín, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
  • Naíonra an Ghairdín, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
  • Naíonra na Rógairí Beaga, Rochfort Bridge, Co. Westmeath
  • Naíonra Little Folks, Trim, Co. Meath
  • Naíonra Bumblebee, Ashbourne, Co. Meath
  • Naíonra Smarty Pants, Rush, Co. Dublin
  • Naíonra First Steps, Marino, Dublin 3
  • Naíonra Hyde and Seek, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
  • Naíonra Westwood, Foxrock, Dublin 18
  • Naíonra Safari, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
  • Naíonra Mháirín, Lucan, Co. Dublin
  • Naíonra Junior Genius, Baldonnel, Dublin 22
  • Naíonra Dhún Droma, Dundrum, Dublin 14
  • Naíonra Ghaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh, Bray, Co. Wicklow
  • Naíonra Montessori, Bray, Co. Wicklow
  • Naíonra an Scoil Bhig, Arklow, Co. Wicklow
  • Naíonra Little Treasures, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
  • Naíonra Cháit, Barna, Co. Galway
  • Naíonra Mamaí Gé, Kinsale, Co. Cork
  • Naíonra Highcare Childcare, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
  • Naíonra Crèche Absolute Beginners, Blarney, Co. Cork
  • Naíonra Radharc na Darach, Tralee, Co. Kerry
  • Naíonra Faithleann, Killarney, Co. Kerry

Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com

Another new funding model for Irish language organisations

September 5, 2012

It has been four long years since the term New Funding Model first cropped up in relation to proposed changes for the Irish language voluntary sector, but has anything been learnt in that time?

Since Foras na Gaeilge was first established under the Good Friday Agreement, the North/South body has provided annual funding for organisations across the country. A total of 19 organisations receive annual core-funding from An Foras, and in 2009, the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) instructed Foras na Gaeilge to restructure the method in which funding is allocated to this core-funded sector.

Following the direction of the NSMC, Foras proposed a portfolio of schemes in 2010, for which they coined the term, “New Funding Model”.

Rather than providing organisational core-funding, Foras now intended to provide funding on a competitive scheme basis, which would provide funding to successful applicants for short term projects.

As time passed the funding model was gradually tweaked, schemes were added and subtracted which caused much confusion to the public trying to grasp the essence of the new model. Initially seven schemes were announced, which soon increased to ten, and later was reduced to eight before the model was eventually ditched.

With one winner proposed for each scheme, except for the community radio scheme which was deemed an exception, it was apparent that an axe was soon to fall on the number of Irish language organisations.

Not unexpectedly, the organisations themselves did not agree with the new portfolio from the get go. They demanded open discussion, participatory input, independent consultancy, transparency in the process, and above all they requested research based evidence to prove the new funding model was an improvement on the current model.

The Irish language organisations publicly demonstrated their dissatisfaction with the model again and again. The promotion of the Irish language over the past four years has not been helped by ongoing disagreements and tension within the sector between those funded by Foras na Gaeilge and Foras itself, the body which was established to provide leadership and drive the promotion of the language.

Foras na Gaeilge sought change, as according to them the current model is no longer sustainable, but the organisations took the model to mean that Foras na Gaeilge now wanted to fund the promotion of the language solely through short terms schemes which would last no longer than three years.

The organisations have repeatedly stated that they recognise the need for reorganisation of the sector in order to achieve the best results while providing greatest value for money. The organisations have also put forward their desire to engage with Foras in a participatory manner to develop a new model which will benefit Irish across the island.

Earlier this year, following a direction from the NSMC Foras initiated a public consultation process on its new funding model. The general public voiced their concerns about the model at each of the public consultation meetings. An Foras reported to the NSMC that 167 submissions were made, whereas the organisations claim their members submitted ten times that figure. A group of noted sociolinguists and language planners, both national and international, sent a letter to Foras na Gaeilge as part of the consultation in which they strongly condemned the model. While this letter was reported in national newspapers, it was not registered as part of the consultation and was not published on the Foras website as a submission. Tensions continued to rise as the public who were already unhappy with the portfolio of schemes became highly dissatisfied with a consultation process which was falling on deaf ears.

After the latest public consultation meeting, which concluded in early April 2012, the Dáil Joint Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture, and the Gaeltacht issued a report on the future funding of Irish language organisations. This report recommended the continuation of core-funding of organisations and declared that funding should not be allocated based on a scheme of competitive tendering. The Joint Committee report followed a motion in the Northern Irish Assembly which expressed concern over the consequences of the new funding model.

In light of deepening political pressure, the board of Foras na Gaeilge, who were appointed five months previously, in June 2012 declared an end to the New Funding Model.

It is a shame so much time and effort was wasted over the past four years on a model which was declared unworkable by its intended benefactors. While that particular model has now been ditched, what can be learned by all parties from the past four years? Have the organisations, and/or the public lost all faith in Foras na Gaeilge? On the one hand, Foras na Gaeilge and its core-funded organisations now stand further apart than ever, while on the other hand the threat of the new model has seen organisations working together more closely, which in turn has lead to much organic co-operation.

While one funding model has now been shelved, An Foras are still answerable to the NSMC, who have requested a reorganisation of the sector.

In late July, with only a fortnight’s notice, the leaders of the core-funded organisations were instructed to put their own work programmes aside and participate in a series of workshops over a three day period, facilitated by Dónall Ó Braonáin of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge. The workshiops had three main aims:

1. To identify gaps in the current provision

2. To identify fields of work within the current provision

3. To identify the fields which should be prioritised.

In addition to the workshops, Foras na Gaeilge have also invited organisations to meetings this week, under specific themes, to discuss their own field in the context of rationalisation.

Unfortunately, the clock is ticking faster than ever for the organisations, as an Foras has informed them that the new funding model will be written next Friday, circulated on Monday, with a four day window for feedback to be received, developed in the final week, and sent to the Board of Foras na Gaeilge by 18th September, for consideration at the Board meeting at the end of the month. If passed by the Board, Foras na Gaeilge will then prepare a business case to put before the NSMC in November 2012.

Organisations are hoping that any new funding model will be clearly linked to the defined concepts of language planning, and that the current provision of services will be analysed in detail prior to the development of a new model.

Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com

Foras Pátrúnachta to act as patron for two new Gaelcholáistí

July 26, 2012

Two new Gaelcholáistí to open in Dundrum and Balbriggan in Dublin 2014 will have Irish language group an Foras Patrúnachta as a patron, according to details announced by Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn TD today.

The announcement was made as part of plans outlining the development and  patronage of fourteen new second level schools.

Most of the new second level schools are to open in the east of the country around the Dublin commuter belt but two new schools will open in Claregalway in Co. Galway and in the southern area of Cork city.

The Minister stated that he was “confident that the new schools, along with existing schools in each area, will mean that parents and students have real choice when it comes to deciding which school most reflect their own ethos”.

The new Gaelcholáiste in Balbriggan will be smaller than envisaged and will cater for 700-1000 pupils, after a strong preference was shown amongst parents for an  English medium Educate Together school as well. The Foras Pátrúnachta will serve as a patron for a new Gaelcholáiste in Dundrum.

A high level of demand for Irish medium education was expressed in Maynooth and an Irish language unit is expected to be established in the  new post-primary school in Maynooth or in an existing second-level school, upon consultation with An Foras Pátrúnachta.

GAELPORT.COM

Tús curtha le cainteanna maidir le Samhail #2

July 24, 2012

Sorry, this entry is only available in Irish.

Countdown begins to Belfast’s Féile an Droichid Festival

July 24, 2012

For the fourth year in a row, Féile an Droichid is set to run from 23-26 August in Belfast with a jam-packed schedule of events prepared to suit every age group.

The festival will kick off on 23 August at 8 pm at ‘The Mac’ with a special concert featuring famous sean-nós singer, Iarla Ó Lionáird from Cúil Áodha, West Cork and traditional guitar hero, Steve Cooney from Melbourne Australia.

Over to ‘The Droichead’ at 7.45 pm on Friday 24 August, where a well-known pairing of musicians, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Breandán Ó Beaglaoich will be conjuring up a whirlwind of accordion and fiddle music. Caoimhín is no stranger to the festival as himself and Iarla Ó Lionáird made an appearance with the contemporary music group ‘The Glaoming’ for the main event last year.

On Saturday, 25th August at the same time and place, a fusion of bouzouki, concertina, uilleann pipes and keyboard will be performed by Dónal Lunny Pádraig Rynne, John McSherry and Graham Henderson. This is the first time for this group to play together although all performers are well known as solo musicians.

Among the other events taking place at the weekend will be a screening of two hugely influential Irish language films ‘Mise Éire’ and ‘Poitín’ at the QFT (Queens Film Theatre), an exhibition of records at Ulster Hall, intensive Irish / Scottish Gaelic courses, concertina and bouzouki workshops with Pádraig Rynne and Dónal Lunny, flute and fife classes and well as plenty of informal sessions throughout the festival.

A Graffiti Session and Movement Class for children will also run as part of the festival. Full details for all events will be available on www.androichead.com.

GAELPORT.COM

‘Meon Eile’ Irish language news service launched

July 10, 2012

A new multimedia Irish language news service broadcasting from Belfast, ‘meon eile’ was launched recently.

The service provides news in current affairs, sport and entertainment with a modern twist, catering for the Irish language community in Northern Ireland as well as Irish speakers in general. The website aims to create a multimedia platform run completely through Irish with the use of videos, photographs and current stories which cover a wide range of subjects with a creative approach.

Meoneile.ie is the brainchild of producer Sinéad Ingoldsby who spent seven years working with BBC Northern Ireland and the project is being run by production company ‘Below the Radar’.

“Interaction between Irish speakers online is becoming increasingly vibrant and we in Meon Eile hope to add to this important conversation, ” Ingoldsby said at the launch of the website.

Meoneile.ie employs three talented journalists and writers – Sarah de Búrca, who worked in the script department of TG4 soap opera Ros na Rún, Shane Ó Curraighín, a Fullbright scholar with experience in the newsroom and Tomaí Ó Conghaile, editor of Irish language magazine ‘Nós’.

The website gives the option of viewing news stories by individual authors and under the headings ‘Current Affairs’, ‘Arts and Culture’, ‘Sport’, ‘Community’ and the public is given the chance to express opinions with the heading ‘Have your say’.

The website hopes to add to the development of Irish across the country as well as fulfilling the needs of Irish speakers therefore keep a close eye on www.meoneile.ie.

Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com

Scoil Mhín na Manrach closes its gates for the last time

June 27, 2012

While primary students across the country revel in the thoughts of their school closing for the summer, pupils of Scoil Mhín na Manrach ar broken hearted at the fact that they will not return in September.

Having served the community for over 100 years, this school in Na Rosa has now closed its gates for the last time.  Pupil numbers have fallen so low, the Department of Education and Skills took the decision to close the school.
On the school’s last day, as sole teacher and Principal Bernadette Ní Dhuibhir called the roll, only five names were called.  Of these five, there were pupils in Senior Infants, First, Second, and Fifth Class.  To comply with health and safety regulations, the management committee had to employ a full time secretary so that there would be two adults on site at all times.  Of those enrolled, many were the third generation of their family to attend the school.
In 2008, €400,000 was spent on developments for the school which is nestled in the hills of Na Rossa.  The school was more than adequately equipped, with resources and amenities to cater for up to 60 students, with interactive white boards, and twelve computers.
Talks are ongoing at the moment among the management committee in relation to an amalgamation with Scoil Chróine, a much larger school, 8km away, within the same parish.  Scoil Chróine has a staff of 10 teachers plus a Principal, and caters for approximately 270 students.
While the students of Scoil Mhín na Manrach were studying entirely through Irish up until now, it would seem the language policy in the larger school in the parish is not as rigid, and many of the students would not themselves be native Irish speakers.
Bernadette NÍ Dhuibhir, Principal of Scoil Mhín na Manrach said the school was “at the heart of the community.  The community are now lamenting the days where the familiar babble of school kids playing in the yard could be heard echoing across the hills, a sound which will be heard no longer”.

Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com

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