A Gaeltacht Experience in Letterkenny
This year, further to workshops in Irish Traditional Music, Ceol na Coille Summer School is offering a unique opportunity for 10-13 year olds to experience all the fun of the Gaeltacht on their own doorstep.
“Tá Bliain na Gaeilge á céilúradh i 2018 agus tá sé spesialta dúinn gur féidir linn an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn mar seo inár gclár i mbliana. The Irish language has always been central to Ceol na coille but even more so this year as we celebrate Bliain na Gaeilge nationally.” explains Úna Ní Bhriain who is coordinating Irish language activities at this year’s summer school.
“The Taithí Gaeltachta or Gaeltacht Experience offers morning classes in the Irish language, coupled with a host of other fun activities through the medium of Irish will ensure that this group of young people will be ‘Gaeltacht Ready’ when their time comes to reside for three weeks with the ‘bean a’ tí’ in their chosen Gaeltacht course. It will really boost the participants’ confidence in speaking Irish and is a great opportunity to enjoy the language with young people who are the same age and who share some of the same interests. We are delighted to be able to have it as part of our program this year with support from Foras na Gaeilge and Líonra Leitir Ceanainn.”
Music, sport and art are only a few of the activities that will be included throughout the week. A fun, friendly staff will be supervising and teaching the group.
The group will participate in many team activities so that they can get to know each other and build long-lasting friendships. Of particular interest is a media workshop which will be facilitated by Letterkenny’s Caoimhe Ní Chathail who works in the Irish language media, for Meon Eile, TG4 and Raidió Fáilte.
“Caoimhe is a past pupil of Coláiste Ailigh, where all the week’s activities will take place, so this will be a homecoming of sorts for her. Using i-Pads provided, the workshop will centre around blogging and tweeting as Gaeilge, as well as looking at how to use camera when filming. Caoimhe is a real pro and full of energy and I’m certain this will be a high point of week’s activities.”
Ceol na Coille’s Summer school offers a host of Irish language opportunities, including adult comhrá classes and Club Gaelach for 6-9 year olds.
Bookings now being taken for all courses and classes. For more information visit www.ceolnacoille.ie