Cruinniú práinne eagraithe ag Conradh na Gaeilge and Guth na Gaeltachta faoi Ghaeilge don Ardteist
January 20, 2011
Comórtas Díospóireachta Uí Chadhain
January 14, 2011
Gabh le Gaeilge, the result of co-operation and a highlight of 2010
December 14, 2010
One highlight of 2010 for Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge was the official launch of the DVD ‘Gabh le Gaeilge’ at the Oireachtas festival in Killarney.
Gabh Le Gaeilge is an information package for GCSE students in Northern Ireland, produced by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge. The DVD, and the information pack that accompanies it, explain the benefits of studying Irish as a school subject.
Not only is ‘Gabh le Gaeilge’ an excellent aid for students, teachers, and parents alike, but it is also an excellent example of what can be achieved through strategic co-operation. ‘Gabh le Gaeilge’ was a joint venture which arose organically from a seminar of Buntáiste Breise na Gaeilge which both organizations held in Belfast. Both organisations brought a unique set of skills to the project, which meant the project could be completed efficiently, effectively and economically.
There are over 150 subjects available for the GCSE but the number of students choosing Irish has fallen by 25% over the past three years, with many students choosing other languages instead of Irish. Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge and Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge undertook this particular project to tackle this current trend in decreasing figures.
The ‘Gabh le Gaeilge’ DVD and information pack, will be sent to teachers in English speaking schools, to help them promote Irish as a choice for the GCSE. The pack is aimed at students between 11-14 years of age, with little Irish, so simple clear Irish is used throughout the DVD, and the rhythm of the DVD is suitably timed.
In the DVD, Caoimhe Ní Chonchoille introduces speakers from different backgrounds, who speak about the Irish language in their lives. The speakers on the DVD include Tomaí Ó Conghaile (Radio presenter and journalist with Nuacht 24), Ursula Uí Dhonnaile (Irish language officer with Dungannon Council) and Mark Harte (Former footballer with Tyrone, and secondary school teacher).
To order a free copy of ‘Gabh le Gaeilge’, please e-mail gabhlegaeilge@gaelport.com. Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge hope to build on the premise of co-operation throughout 2011, in conjunction with our member organisations.
2,500 students take part in Irish Career Seminars
December 14, 2010
Since the beginning of the year Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge has organised seven seminars focusing on Irish language jobs and careers in various venues around the country.
From January seminars have taken place in Castlebar, Galway, Killarney, Belfast, Letterkenny, Dublin and Tullamore a month ago. Up to 2,500 secondary school students from up to seventy four schools around the country have attended and participated in these seminars.
The Added Advantage of Irish’ is the theme of the seminar, and speakers working in a wide range of sectors spoke on the advantages which the Irish language has afforded them in their chosen careers.
Our tour commenced in Castlebar back in January with guest speakers such as Paisean Faisean’s Bláthnaid Ní Dhonnchadha, and IRadio’s broadcaster Barbara Ní Dhonnchadha gave an insight into how she uses her Irish as a bilingual broadcaster.
In Galway at the end of February over 400 students attended the event in the Salthill Hotel. Guest speakers included RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltacht broadcaster Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile along with one of Galway’s finest hurling stars and Irish language teacher Cathal Moore. Colm Ó Coisdealbha discussed his own experiences in his role as Compliance Manager with An Coimisinéir Teanga in An Spidéal while Gearóidín Ní Ghioballáin from Gaillimh le Gaeilge and Gráinne Ní Chonghaile from Conradh na Gaeilge in Galway highlighted the importance of the Irish language while promoting Irish language events and the language in Galway city.
At the beginning of May we headed south to the Kingdom to the Glengeagle Hotel in Killarney where Eibhlín Ní Choisdealbha from Lios a Phúca near Killarney who is a News Presenter with TG4 and the well known football star and broadcaster with RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Dara Ó Cinnéide gave a great insight into their journeys in securing a career within the Irish language media.
Later in the year we travelled up to Belfast where pupils from fourteen schools from Northern Ireland attended the seminar. Guest speakers included journalist/broadcaster Tomaí Ó Conghaile from Newry and Ursula Uí Dhonnaile an Irish Language Officer with Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council and Cookstown District Council. Talented footballer and Irish Medium Teacher Conall Ó Máirtín gave an insight into the use of the language with his work with Campa Chormac.
A week later we headed Northwest to Letterkenny. Once again over 400 students from secondary schools all over the county listened to guest speakers including Kevin Cassidy a Donegal footballing hero and teacher. Loretta Ní Churraighín an executive with Oireachtas na Gaeilge, while Caitlín Uí Chlochláin discussed her career to date, and her role as an Irish language coordinator with Donegal County Council. RTÉ and TG4 journalist, Caoimhe Ní Chonchoille spoke of the many opportunities which the Irish language has afforded her.
In Liberty Hall in Dublin Anna Davitt, Director with Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge in Dublin focused on her own personal experiences in the education sector while Ros na Rún and Fair City actress Doireann Ní Chorragáin spoke about the doors which the language opened for her in her acting career. Colm Mac an Iomaire gave an inspiring insight into this own experience in growing up in Dublin in an Irish speaking household and Spin 1038 DJ Eoghan Mac Diarmada, who presents Pop4 on TG4 also enthralled the full to capacity auiditorium.
And to close the 2010 tour, 440 students attended an inspirational event in Tullamore. Pupils from schools from Westmeath, Co. Laois, Meath, Kilkenny, Kildare and Tipperary heard TG4 agus RTÉ’s journalist Irene Ní Nualláin from Mullingar and RTÉ’s sports presenter Evanne Ní Chuilinn from Kilkenny give insights into the challenges of learning Irish and working with the Irish media. Darragh Egan ones of Tipperary’s talented hurlers and a teacher in Nenagh highlighted the importance of the language.
We are extremely grateful to all our sponsors who gave us wonderful prizes throughout the year: Gael-Linn, Coláiste Uisce, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Coláiste na bhFiann, Gaelscéal, Telegael, Scoil Surfáil Freedom, Coláiste Ó Direáin Summer College in Inis Mór, Raidió na Life, Campa Chormaic.
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge hope to organize similar seminars around the country in 2011.
Gael Linn Radio Programme Competition 2011
December 7, 2010
Gael Linn are accepting applications for their annual Radio Programme Competition at present! The competition aims to encourage students who are interested in persuing a career in radio. Final date for entry is Friday, 17 December 2010, but the programmes don’t need to be with Gael Linn until Friday, 11 February 2011.
The competition, while particularly suited to Transition Year students, is open to all students in second level schools. Pupils, with help from their teachers, are asked to produce and present a radio programme ( magazine programme, documentary, radio drama etc. ) of a high standard on a subject of their own choice. The programmes must be between 15 and 20 minutes duration, and schools are encouraged to use a variety of methods – interviews, dialogue, music, news etc. – when putting them together.
The competition is divided into two caterogies – one for Irish language second level schools and the second for all other second level schools. There is no limit to the number of students that can be involved in making a programme.
All programmes submitted are listened to by a recognized broadcaster who chooses the top three entries overall ( regardless of which section they are competing in). The three national prizewinners will then be chosen in order by RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and receive €650 (1st. prize ), €450 (2nd. Prize ) or €350 (3rd. prize ) respectively.
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland also award cash prizes of €300, €250 and €200 to the top three programmes in both categories. Also, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and local community or commercial stations may broadcast some of the winning programmes, depending on the standard.
All details on the competition are available at www.gael-linn.ie where the 2010 prizewinning programmes may also be listened to! Alternatively, contact 01:6753303/niamh@gael-linn.ie.
Seimineár Taighde ar an nGaeloideachas ar athló
December 6, 2010
Comórtas aistriúcháin an AE
November 29, 2010
Ionsaí ar Ghaelscoileanna
November 29, 2010
Camchuairt Bhuntáiste Breise na Gaeilge 2010
November 22, 2010
35 Children enrol in unrecognised school, Gaelscoil Ráth Tó
November 17, 2010
35 families registered their children to start in Gaelscoil Ráth Tó in September at an induction meeting for the school in Rathoath, Co. Meath on Thursday, 02 November 2010, despite still waiting to get official recognition from the Department of Education and Skills.
Parents and children attended the meeting in Gaelscoil Ráth Tó to meet the school principal and receive information on the school’s progress.
The Department of Education and Skills will be announcing shortly where new schools will open in 2011; the Rataoth community expect to be on that list and that Gaelscoil Ráth Tó, which opened in September this year without recognition, will be recognised and sanctioned.
The large attendance and the continued parental demand in the area confirms the urgent need to recognise Gaelscoil Rath Tó.
School Principal Tricia Ní Mhaolagáin said: “Twenty children that were on the waiting list for Gaelscoil Ráth Tó lost out last year when the school was refused recognition. Are another generation of Rathoath children to miss out on the benefits of an all-Irish education or will the Department of Education and Skills do the right thing and support Gaelscoil Ráth Tó by giving it official recognition?”
