Bríde wins Gradam an Phiarsaigh award
Meitheamh 10, 2015
Bríde de Róiste, winner of Gradam an Phiarsaigh (the Pearse Award) for 2015, has helped the Irish language flourish in Carlow over the last 35 years.
A native of Dunbeg, Co Clare, she has been teaching in Carlow all her life, setting up the pre-school Naíonra in 1980, followed two years later by Gaelscoil Eoghain Uí Thuairisc.
The natural progression was post-primary education through Irish, and that came about in 1990 when Gael Choláiste Cheatharlach opened.
‘There were 20 children in the Gaelscoil when it opened, and the number is now 500; while from a handful at the start, there are almost 400 students attending Gael Choláiste Cheatharlach,’ Bríde pointed out.
As a consequence, there are almost 1,000 people involved every day in the Irish language in the three schools, not to mention the greater community.
‘Over those 35 years, hundreds of young people have gone through the system, and they are now fluent Irish speakers. The language is alive and spoken in Carlow,’
All of this has helped promote the social aspect, through festivals such as Éigse Cheatharlach.
‘A great milestone was when Carlow was chosen to host the Pan Celtic Festival in 2012 and 2013, and will do so again next year.’
Bríde had special mention for the support from such as Foras na Gaeilge, for the employment of a full-time Irish Language Officer for Carlow since 2008.
In accepting the award, she said it was in recognition of the continued promotion of the language by lots of people through the years. It was an award for Carlow.
