Commuter-belt pupils face most crowded classrooms
September 4, 2013
Enrolments at highest in 20 years
Almost 25pc in ‘supersize’ classes
ALMOST one-in-three school pupils in some parts of the country is now in a “supersize” classroom of more than 30 children.
The children of commuter- belt families are suffering the most overcrowded classrooms, new figures confirm.
As primary-school enrolments rise, average classes are getting bigger almost everywhere throughout the country, with a spike in the number of pupils in classes of 30 or more. But some communities are being hit much harder than others, according to the latest figures from the Department of Education.
Wicklow tops the table with 31.5pc of children in classes of 30 or more, slightly ahead of Limerick county at 30.6pc. This means that almost one-in-three pupils in those areas is being taught in so-called “supersize” classes.
Children living in areas of rapid population growth on the outskirts of Dublin, and neighbouring counties, are also among the worst affected. There is also a big squeeze in classrooms in Cork county and Waterford county, parts of which experienced a population boom in the past decade.
In contrast, class sizes are generally stable, or falling, in many rural areas and in cities, reflecting trends in population.
The average class size rose to 24.7 in 2012-13, up from 24.5 the previous year. It compares with an EU average of 20. However, the slight increase in the national average masks a shocking jump in the number of pupils in classes of 30 or more, the precise impact of which depends on where a family lives. Primary pupils in Wicklow and Limerick counties are almost twice as likely to be squeezed into a class of 30 or more, when compared with those in the largely rural Cavan and Roscommon, where the rate is 16.2 pc.
However, teachers in small rural schools may be dealing with the complexity of more than one class in each classroom.
At the other end of the scale, the department’s figures also show a drop in the number of smaller classes in schools. In Dublin Fingal, only 2.6pc of pupils are in classes of under 20, down from 3pc a year previously. This compares with 21.4pc in Roscommon.
Pushed
Overall, 13 areas stand out as having the most crowded classrooms – a combination of the highest proportion of children in classes of 30 or more and the lowest proportion of pupils in classes of fewer than 20. They are: Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown, South Dublin, Fingal, Kildare, Meath , Wicklow, Wexford, Laois, Kilkenny, Carlow, Waterford county, Cork county and Limerick county.
The 70,000 junior infants starting in primary schools this week have pushed enrolments to their highest levels for more than 20 years – and about 10,000 more than last September as more children pour into schools, the number in classes of 30 or more has risen by 8,000 since 2011/12 to over 121,000 in 2012/13. It is up from 97,000 in 2010/11.
That amounts to an overall average of 23.5 of primary pupils – almost one in four or – in “supersize” classes, up from 22.3pc the previous year, as a result of growing enrolments and cuts in staffing in small primary schools. At the same time, the proportion of pupils in classes of fewer than 20 has dropped to 10.6pc, from 11.9pc in 2011/12.
Faced with rising enrolments, at both primary and secondlevel, Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has made a commitment to provide a school place for every child and this term has seen the opening of seven new primary schools to serve growing populations.
But while schools are being built to accommodate numbers, classrooms are getting more crowded.
The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) said that at the same time as class sizes were rising, non-class teachers were being cut from the system.
“More and more responsibility is being put on the class teacher to meet the needs of children with little English, special needs or disadvantaged backgrounds,” said INTO general secretary Sheila Nunan
According to the INTO, smaller classes are most important when children are young.
www.independent.ie
Fun ‘as gaeilge’ at Coláiste Eoin camp
July 30, 2013
OVER 100 kids enjoyed a ‘Gaeltacht at Home’ recently as Colaiste Naomh Eoin held their first summer Irish camp in the grounds of Colaiste na hInse in Bettystown.
Two two-week courses ran during July catering for a wide range of students aged between 8 up to 18 and both courses were a huge success.
Students had formal classes in the morning with sport, activities and arts and crafts in the afternoon.
For the younger pupils, it was a chance to have fun with Irish, according to principal Nuala Uí Cheallaigh, while the Leaving Certificate students had the opportunity to hone their oral skills ahead of next year’s exams.
‘For the junior kids it was about the love of the language and developing their vocabulary for day-to-day interaction while the Leaving Cert classes spent time improving their oral skills, which is particularly important now as their oral work counts for 40% of the points.
‘It was all done through Irish with a focus on using Irish through fun so it really was a Gaeltacht at home,’ said Ms Uí Cheallaigh.
She said students travelled from as far afield as Annagassan, Malahide and Rush to take part in the courses as well as from Drogheda and East Meath.
‘We had five Ceilís on over the course and I was amazed that all these kids would go home and still come back, even from as far away as Rush, for the Ceilí evey evening at 7.30 p.m.
All the students really enjoyed the course and it really was a huge success, ’ said Ms Uí Cheallaigh, who is from the Dublin Road and had been principal of the Colaiste Naomh Eoin Irish School in Ashbourne before the opening of the Bettystown camp.
‘It was my idea to open it here, I know from living in the area that the demand was there and people would often ring looking for help with Irish for their kids. People really want to improve their Irish and it was amazing to see the difference, particularly in the Leaving Cert students, they absolutely loved it and you could see their confidence growing as each day went on.
‘We have loads of kids already looking to come back again next year, it was a great success and it is here to stay.’
www.independent.ie
Third video hit in a month for Irish college Colaiste Lurgan
July 17, 2013
Colaiste Lurgan has had it’s third video hit in as many weeks with an rendition of the Lion King’s ‘Circle of Life’ as Gaeilge.
The college has gained massive exposure for the Irish language recently, giving several popular songs an Irish language make-over. The college’s previous viral videos include Irish language versions of Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’ and Anna Kendrick’s ‘Cup Song’ from the popular film Pitch Perfect. The Irish language summer college first hit headlines with their cover of ‘Some Nights’ by FUN, which earned over 140,000 views on the video sharing website YouTube. Colaiste Lurgan have a well-populated YouTube account, active for over two years with uploads of students recreating popular song as Gaeilge, and various organised events like the Festival of Colour. The channel has a total of 1.1 million views and over 3,000 subscribers.
www.irishindependent.ie
Old criticism of Gaelic
June 18, 2013
Litreacha chuig an eagarthóir:
The only evidence that Gerard O’Regan’s weird attack on Irish speakers (June 15) was written in 2013 and not 1973 is his reference to Facebook.
He’s right to note that the Irish education system has often presented an artificial Irish. But there’s a bright side: the Department of Education has greatly improved the teaching of Irish, to such an extent that Mr O’Regan’s friend ‘Andrea’, who has just done her Leaving Certificate, is now capable of holding basic conversations in Irish.
Mr O’Regan says that Andrea will have no use for her Irish. I’m going to be in Dublin this summer, and my two small Irish-speaking children need a babysitter. Andrea sounds like a fantastic candidate. Perhaps Mr O’Regan could put her in touch with me?
Brian O Broin,
Ph.D. Department of English,
William Paterson University,
New Jersey,
USA
It always amazes me when Irish language cynics have a cut off Gaelscoileanna as part of a whingefest about the pointlessness of preserving our native language. I can never tell if it’s jealousy, lack of patriotism, plain lack of research or a mixture of all three.
‘Lazy Journalism’ might be accountable for Gerard O’Regan’s outlandish assertion that Gaelscoil parents “radiate a sense of cultural superiority, which can be off-putting to say the least for somebody not of their tribe”.
As a principal of a Gaelscoil, I think I can speak with some authority. Parents choose Gaelscoileanna not only for their excellent standard but also because they want their children to read, write and speak fluently in two languages. Many parents want to foster in their children a love of Irish language and culture. This is not a quest for cultural superiority but rather a thirst for cultural identity.
Dominic O Braonain,
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise.
www.independent.ie
‘My first kiss was with a Gaelgóir from Dublin’
June 17, 2013
Ex-students recount tales of the Gaeltacht, prompting memories of strict cinnirí and first crushes.
School’s out – but across the country, thousands of teens are now packing their bags for Irish college instead. Around 25,000 parents here are preparing to wave ‘slán’ to their offspring as they head off into the Gaeltacht to brush up on their cúpla focal before the new term.
But from scoring at the céilí to dodging the bean an tí, strangely, our native language is the last thing soem of these former Gaelgóirí remember…
Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile, Raidió na Gaeltachta:
“I’m from Casla in Connemara, where there are numerous Irish colleges. Every summer, for 9 weeks, hundreds of young people would descend on the area from all over the country.
“As kids, we loved it, especially when we were allowed go to the céilí at night. My Mum kept 26 students in our house.
“She had a very strict language policy; if you were caught speaking English, you were dead!
“She always kept girls, which I think she hoped would keep us away from the boys!
“But my first kiss was still a Gaelgóir from Dublin!”
‘We sang the national anthem morning, noon and night’
Aoibheann McCaul, Fair City:
“I went to [Irish language summer school] Coláiste Lurgan in Galway about 10 years ago. The one thing I remember is singing the national anthem morning, noon and night, and learning how to stand to attention (and ease).
“As typical teenage girls, we also wrote a song about one of the male cinnires to the tune of Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’, which went something like: ‘Féach ar Fheildlim! Wooo! Daithúil ó bun go barr!’, accompanied by a dance routine. The poor guy was only a year or two older than us, and was completely mortified!”
‘It’s hard not to grow to love the language yourself’
Aisling Quinn, Model:
“I went to [Irish language secondary school] Gael-Choláiste Chill Dara, and every summer I would go to Inis Oírr, one of the Aran Islands, with a few friends.
“Growing up, I was immersed in the language. Even now, I speak Irish to anyone who’ll listen, and work part-time as Irish language affairs manager at my dad’s company. Going to the Gaeltacht is an excellent way to learn Irish.
“When you’re surrounded by people who are passionate about the language, it’s hard not to grow to love it yourself.”
‘It was quite a nationalistic experience’
Sinead Desmond, Ireland AM:
“My father was adamant that I would speak fluent Irish and packed me off to the Gaeltacht every summer. I will be forever grateful that he did. I went to a very strict Irish college, where just one word of ‘Béarla’ would get you sent home.
“In hindsight, it was quite a nationalistic experience, which instilled in me a great sense of pride in being Irish.
“Each morning, we would raise the Irish flag and sing the national anthem.
“While in the afternoon, there was sport, drama and poetry, all through Irish.
“But my lasting memory is being hosed down by a particularly tough bean an tí after she found me kissing a boy on my last day at the Gaeltacht!”
‘I wish I’d made more of an effort’
Donal Skehan, Kitchen Hero:
“I was probably about 12 when I was sent to the Gaeltacht on Achill Island. The idea was that I would come home fluent in Irish. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out that way.
“One Irish word I will never forget though is: ‘ Tusa!’ During breaks, the cinnire would stand in the middle of the yard and yell ‘ Tusa!’ — as in ‘ You!’ — at anyone caught speaking English, which invariably was me. About halfway through my stay, I got a serious talking to about speaking English. Now I wish I had made more of an effort.
I’d love to have a bit more Irish.”
www.independent.ie
It’s pointless keeping Irish on this sentimental life support
June 17, 2013
ANDREA finished her honours Irish Leaving Cert paper in central Dublin this week – and last night the latest offering in an endless library on what life was like on the Blasket Islands was launched in the depths of Dunquin, Co Kerry.
The common thread linking both events is, of course, the Irish language.
But for Andrea, that linkage is now over and done with forever. Once she put her final full stop on the Irish paper, it marked the end of any kind of active involvement she will have with the language for the rest of her life.
Not that this is something to which she has ever given much thought. Her more immediate and primary concern is to bag enough CAO points to study medicine at Trinity College Dublin.
Given that her teachers had long branded her ‘ linguistic’, she figured it was a no-brainer to include Irish as one of her Leaving Cert heavy-hitters.
As it transpired, she did exceptionally well in both the oral and written examinations and, at the end of it all, could achieve a much-needed A1 result.
But despite having spent more than 12 years studying the subject to such a high level, Andrea would be the first to admit she still cannot speak it with any great degree of ease or fluency. Her Irish conversations are far too stilted and exam-based.
In that sense, she is reflective of a teaching strategy, which for almost 100 years, has been a singular failure by way of ensuring the language is more widely spoken. And she is among the academic elite.
What about all the time, effort, and vast amounts of money spent teaching Irish to hordes of other school leavers of lesser ability who will leave it behind forever come the end of this exam season?
Yet the charade continues. And in the Census returns a few years hence, many of these same school leavers will still insist – for a multiplicity of reasons, including sentiment and emotion – that they have some fluency in a language they never speak.
Maybe it is all part of the self-delusion that has been the backdrop to our attitude to the Irish language since 1922.
Then there was a sort of vague dream shared by so many of the State’s founding fathers that running our own affairs would help make us a bilingual country.
We have battled mightily to preserve as much as possible of the Gaeltacht areas. But even here, anecdotal evidence suggests Irish as a spoken language is in relentless retreat among the Facebook generation – much more so than official Ireland will admit.
However, all is not completely bleak. TG4 produces countless television programmes with flair, imagination and quality.
And the ingenuity of subtitles means the great unwashed, whose knowledge of the language is lost in the distant memory of schooldays, can relate to them just as if they were fluent.
There are also the Gaelscoileanna, with their driving academic focus, now outperforming many of the country’s elite schools in the Leaving Cert examinations.
It is unfortunate that some parents and children – who attend these bastions of the language – radiate a kind of self-righteous cultural superiority, which can be off-putting to say the least for somebody not of their tribe.
In any case, perhaps none of these musings matter very much. Can we not trundle along and continue churning out Leaving Cert Irish As, Bs and Cs year after year? So what if it all seems like an increasingly circular and meaningless merry-goround, by way of having any relevance to spoken Irish?
We can even have our tokenism, such as the endearing and slightly quaint practice of GAA managers, who may be incapable of stringing together even the standard ‘cupla focal’, having ‘Bainisteoir’ tagged on their tracksuits.
But in any case, in Dunquin last night, ‘The Great Blasket – A Photographic Portrait’ was launched by one of the few remaining islanders alive. It follows on from the recently issued paperback translation of ‘The Islandman’ by Tomas O’Crohan.
One is loath to sing the praises of this book, given that another Blasket Islander – Peig Sayers – provided a whinefest for generations of Leaving Cert students with her stories of unremitting rustic gloom.
However, O’Crohan was a very perceptive man and he could see that a way of life on that isolated and mystical island was in its death throes when he gave us his thoughts back in 1923: “I have written minutely of much that we did, for it was my wish that somewhere there should be a memorial of it all.
“And I have done my best to set down the character of the people about me, so that some record of us might live after us.
“For the likes of us will never be again. “No bheidh a leitheid aris ann.” So, perhaps, none of it matters. Let the annual ritual of garnering CAO points – using Irish as a prop wherever necessary – continue unabated.
And so what if O’Crohan wanted to chronicle the beginning of the end for the Gaelic-speaking world? Would modern-day realists not argue that there are only three world languages – methods of communication, if you like – that really matter? And we Irish are fortunate to be reasonably adept at them all.
They are, of course, English, soccer and Google.
www.independent.ie
Exam body admits to further errors on Irish paper
June 12, 2013
ANOTHER exams controversy has blown up, this time over grammatical errors on the Leaving Certificate Irish second papers.
As more mistakes on Leaving Cert maths papers came to light, the State Examinations Commission ( SEC) also had to answer queries about the Irish exams.
In a question on the Irish ordinary level paper the word ‘ bualadh’ should read have “buaileadh”, the SEC admitted.
However, it insisted that it was highly unlikely that the spelling error would cause difficulty for candidates in answering this question.
Candidates who use the word ‘ bualadh’ in their response to this question will not be penalised, the exams body said.
In higher-level Paper 2, the SEC said it was satisfied that both versions of the expression “an lá a bhfuair sé bás” and “an lá a fuair sé bás” were in regular use.
It did not accept that the version used in the paper was incorrect and was satisfied that it did not take from candidate understanding of what was required to answer that element of the question.
The SEC also gave a full breakdown of the errors on four maths papers, as pupils and teachers pinpointed a number of mistakes they had identified in the high-pressure tests.
Immediately after the exam, it emerged that the Leaving Cert higher-level Paper 2 contained an error in question 8.
However, there were also errors on three other maths papers – both at Leaving and Junior Certificate.
In the Leaving Cert ordinarylevel Maths Paper 1 for the 23 Project Maths pilot schools, there was an error in question five as pupils were asked to complete some tasks which were no longer on the syllabus for the schools involved.
The Leaving Cert foundation level maths Paper 1 had a typo error in question 10(a).
In the Irish version of the Junior Cert higher-level maths Paper 1 the phrase ‘even number’ was incorrectly translated as ‘whole number’ in question 3(b).
Exam bosses admitted it may have caused “some distress and confusion” for the pupils, and apologised for the error and said account would be taken in the marking scheme.
However, the SEC rejected assertions from the Irish Maths Teachers Association that some other material featured on exam papers was not part of the exam syllabus.
Catherine Lewis, a council member of the association, pointed out it had been calling for a clearer and more detailed layout of what is on the Project Maths syllabus.
The commission said it had procedures in place to try to catch errors, but it was an “unfortunate fact” that errors can occur on exam papers “from time to time”.
It contracts workers with experience in the various subjects to draft, set, proof, translate and sign off on the various stages of creating the exam papers.
In total, there were 88 maths papers drawn up for both the Junior and Leaving Cert exams – including a set of 44 contingency papers. The amount produced was double the normal amount due to the roll-out of the new Project Maths.
www.independent.ie
East by South-west — they’re learning Chinese in Dingle!
May 30, 2013
Graham Clifford visits the Kerry school teaching Mandarin to Gaelgoirs.
A minor linguistic error could get you in serious trouble
In school I wasn’t exactly what you’d call ‘a natural’ when it came to languages. A long-suffering French teacher said that she soon realised I was Kerry’s answer to René from ’Allo, ’Allo!
An Irish teacher described my sentence structure as “seafóid” or nonsense and after three years of studying German all I could say with certainty was “Ich bin irisch und Ich spreche nicht gut deutsch!”
So as I approach the majestic driveway leading to Coláiste Íde just outside Dingle, the nerves are jangling. Palm trees pass me by on either side as I make my way through woodlands before reaching the main building.
I’m here to learn my first few words of Chinese — but through Irish. I passed my comfort zone some miles back by Inch beach.
I remember reading once that scholars in Kerry’s hedge schools learned to speak and write perfect Latin through Gaelic and I try to invoke their spirits as I walk towards the doors of this idyllic boarding school for girls with its 127 students.
The West Kerry Gaeltacht wouldn’t be the obvious setting for Mandarin Chinese classes but in a cosy classroom I meet 20 young ladies who have been familiarising themselves with the language of the mighty land to the East.
I get a bilingual welcome (in Chinese and Irish) but when asked if I’d like to be spoken to “as Gaeilge nó as Béarla” I opt for the latter.
I’m hit with a dart of guilt similar to that experienced when opting for English when given the option at a cash machine.
The teacher, Joan Lyne of Annascaul, reassures me that Chinese is not too difficult to learn and that I’ll pick up a “cúpla focal”.
“There’s no grammar, it all sounds mad, it’s interesting and fun. There are only four different tones.”
The girls are ready for action with copy books opened in front of them featuring complicated-looking Chinese characters or letters. Someone produces chop sticks. I’m interrupting their study-time and that’s the real reason for the buzz in the room!
This area isn’t exactly a Chinese stronghold, explains Joan. “There used to be a Chinese family living in Dingle. I was going to ask that family to come in to help the girls learn the language but they moved just before we started the course.”
“So have any of you used Chinese outside the classroom?” I ask the students.
A host of replies come back simultaneously. “I went in to a Chinese restaurant to say hi in Mandarin but it was an Irish person working there,” says one.
Another, who displayed similar bravery, added: “We met a Chinese lady and were able to introduce ourselves in the language. We also tried to order food but that didn’t go so well. The woman was talking so fast and that went right over our head. But in return we taught her how to say ‘dia dhuit’.”
I’m starting to think I could get the hang of this. Instead of pointing at number 22 in my local takeaway, I could confidently stroll in, exchange pleasantries with the staff and then request my favourite dish.
But then I discover that a minor linguistic error could get you in serious trouble with the mammy.
Joan explains: “There are four different ways of saying the word ‘ma’. Saying it at the end of a sentence can turn it into a question; ‘ma’ can also mean your mother … depending on the tone that’s over the letter ‘a’. If you use one of the dipping tones, ‘ma’ can mean ‘ horse’ so if you get it totally wrong you could easily call your mother a horse!”
Mollaí Nic Suibhne from Dingle has developed a grá for the language and she gives me some background to how it’s written.
“There are two ways of writing. There’s the original way with the brush stroke, and then there’s the way of writing it with European letters — then it’s written as it sounds; it’s called Pinyin.”
I nod as though I clearly understand — I was always a half-decent actor.
Using an interactive teaching package designed by the Chinese institute at UCD, Joan informs the fifth-year students here about Chinese culture as well as about the language.
She’s added some of her own touches, too, from her year spent studying Chinese in UCC. These include an ‘amhrán náisiúnta’, or national song, which the Chinese play in place of their national anthem at sporting events such as the Olympics.
In the surreal setting of a Gaelscoil on Dingle Bay on a wind-swept evening, I’m serenaded in Chinese by 20 young ladies! The song is called ‘Jasmine Flower’ and dates back to the 18th Century. It says “Fragrant flowers filled theair/ Beautiful blossoms everywhere /Choosea blossom white and pure /Give to the one that you adore.”
I’m interested to find out if the girls, who received certificates as part of the Gaisce President’s awards for learning the language, feel that knowing some Chinese could be a major asset down the line.
Local women Catherine Ní Dhubháin, Siobhán Ní Mhaoildhia from Tipperary, and Cork’s Gráinne Ní Shearta believe it could be the language of the future.
“It’s unique and it’s growing,” they say, adding, “It really should be brought into the main curriculum. I mean, they’re (the Chinese) taking over the world. The jobs, technology and IT are in China.
“For the purposes of trade, it could be really useful to speak some Chinese but continue to live in Ireland.”
I ask Joan if issues such as human rights in China are discussed with the students. “We dipped into it a bit … things like the one-child policy and abortion. They have loads of questions; these girls are so curious.”
I step back into the West Kerry night with ‘Jasmine Flower’ still ringing in my ears and a phrase which will shock the owners of my local Chinese takeaway — “wo bú shì Zho-ngguórén” — it translates as “I am not Chinese” … they would never have guessed!
www.independent.ie
Now you’re speaking our language!
May 20, 2013
Deirdre Reynolds meets TG4’S stars ahead of tonight’s Irish language media awards
Move over, Dáithí — meet the new buachaillí on the block. Maura Derrane, Gráinne Seoige and Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile are just some of the gorgeous Gaeilgeoirí to emerge from TG4 in recent years. But following in the footsteps of former weather man Dáithí Ó Sé and Hector Ó hEochagáin, there’s no shortage of male talent at the Irish-language channel either.
Celebrating the best of the Irish language media, the Oireachtas Media Awards 2013 takes place at Galway Bay Hotel tonight. Here, we meet some of the nominees helping to make our native tongue hot.
Éamonn and Seán Ó Cualáin
Feature Programme of the Year nominees
Galway brothers Éamonn and Seán Ó Cualáin, who run Sónta Films, have already scooped an IFTA for their TG4funded documentary Lón sa Spéir, which tells the story of iconic 1932 New York photo ‘Lunch atop a Skyscraper’.
A gong for ‘Feature Programme of the Year’ would be the icing on the cake, says dad-of-three Éamonn (32): “When I was in college, I had a poster of ‘Lunch atop a Skyscraper’ on my wall. It’s just this feelgood image. Then a few years ago, my brother Seán and I were in a pub in Shanaglish and noticed the photo hanging on the wall.
“Beside it there was a note by a Boston man called Pat Glynn, explaining that one of the men in the photo was his father and another was his uncle-in-law, who had left Galway to find work in the States. The pub owner Michael Whelan gave us Pat’s contact and we headed to the States to chase up this incredible story.
“When you’re film-making I don’t think language holds you back. If it’s good enough, people will watch it and enjoy it. Lón sa Spéir showed alongside films like Argo at the Toronto International Film Festival last year.
“Although some of the interviews are in English, people were reading subtitles and it didn’t bother them. We had four sold-out screenings and got standing ovations. “Meanwhile, we’ve just signed a US distribution agreement and it’s also been selected for the Shanghai International Film Festival next month, so that’s pretty cool. “There are no big cheques, but hopefully the recognition will help us make more Irish-language films.”
Tristan Rosenstock
Television Broadcaster of the Year nominee
Dubliner Tristan Rosenstock (32), who’s up for Television Broadcaster of the Year for arts show Imeall, reveals how he once managed to get P Diddy to try the ‘cúpla focail’.
“When I was six, I went to Lapland with Fortycoats to meet Santa. My television debut aired on Christmas Day in 10 European countries! “During my first year in college, where I studied early and modern Irish, I got a call out of the blue asking me if I would go to Vogue Fashion Week in New York for TG4 programme Rí Rá. “With just three days’ notice, there was no time to get nervous. I got to interview Sandra Bullock, and was standing just a couple of feet away from Jennifer Lopez, Madonna and Julia Roberts.
“Sometimes, it’s good to get thrown in the deep end — you either sink or swim. When I arrived for my first day on Imeall, I figured I was going to be a researcher. Two hours later, I was on the way to Belfast to interview an Oscar-winning cinematographer. “My dad [Gabriel Rosenstock] is an Irish language writer and poet, so I was brought up speaking Irish and didn’t learn English until I went to school. “Growing up in Glenageary, I suppose that would have been kind of odd. To me, everyone spoke Irish. TV is very competitive, but the language has definitely helped me get work. There are loads of opportunities, especially in the media. The attitude [towards Irish] has changed a lot.
“There doesn’t seem to be the same hostility towards the language that might have existed when I was growing up, [being] a little bit embarrassed to speak it on the bus on the way home. At least half the content of Imeall is in Irish, usually more.
“If I’m interviewing a Hollywood star, for instance, I’ll do it in English, but introduce the item and thank them in Irish. A lot of them have never heard the language before and love it. Some, like P Diddy, even have a go at it!”
Dara Ó Cinnéide
Television Broadcaster of the Year nominee
Former Kerry football captain Dara Ó Cinnéide (38) is in the running for Television Broadcaster of the Year for weekly sports show Seó Spóirt, and these days, says he’s perfectly happy to watch from the sidelines.
“Growing up, I used to always watch Michael Lyster on The Sunday Game Live, and was lucky enough to get to work with him on the show years later. “Most presenters go from Irish to English, but I actually went the opposite direction leaving RTÉ for TG4 three years ago. “Obviously, I’m very passionate about the Irish language. But I don’t see myself as an Irish language activist either.
“It’s my first language and it’s my kids’ first language. For me, it’s just a means of communicating. It’s just a way of saying: ‘Pass the salt, please’. “Lots of my mates up the country used to say to me, ‘ Seó Spóirt looks great, but we don’t have a clue what you’re saying!’ “So about two years ago, TG4 made the decision to subtitle the show, which has drawn in a whole different audience.
“Football analysis is full of English-language clichés. But I try to avoid having an English language imprint on the show. “If you go back far enough into our language, we have our own way of saying things that doesn’t necessarily translate that well into English. “When you think of ‘sexy’ languages, Italian springs to mind. But I’ve never really felt the need to make Irish cool or sexy.
“And I have no ambitions to compete with Dáithí Ó Sé, who’s a former classmate of mine. Dáithí has real star quality — I just chair debates! “Nobody wants to be listening to an ex-Kerry player harping on about the glory days. I’ve had my fun with the game on the field; the fun now is to be had talking about it.“I love the game, and whatever language that’s communicated in doesn’t make any
www.independent.ie
Mind your language
May 10, 2013
You reported on May 7 that those attending “fee-charging schools and those who receive an all-Irish education are most likely to go straight to college from school” and that “pupils attending schools in disadvantaged areas are most likely to drop out”.
However, you failed to note that Irish-speaking schools also operate in disadvantaged areas and, in these areas, provide far better results than the norm.
Also, if disadvantaged areas are stripped out, Irish-speaking schools also outperform fee-paying schools, which do not operate in disadvantaged areas.
Cllr C Enright
Downpatrick, Co Down
www.independent.ie
