Walking through the corridors of St Kilian’s, you can expect to be greeted from all sides by English, German and French. Yet one very important language was missing: the language of our heritage, an Ghaeilge. It was with the aim of rectifying this that an Irish language committee was set up in 2011 to promote the use of the Irish language on the campus. As the old Irish saying goes “Beatha Teanga í a Labhairt” – a spoken language is a living language. Throughout the course of the year the committee comes up with creative ideas to show pupils that Irish is fun to use and that it is something we can be proud of. So far we have initiated an Irish Film club for first years, put signs up in Irish all over the school and carried out a crash course in céilí dancing for several year groups. We filmed a short film which introduces our school, its students and facilities through Irish. The committee plays a central role in Seachtain na Gaeilge, which involves Irish quizzes, songs, Rith, céilís, speed dating, blind date, as well as traditional music.
We, along with students from other classes, meet for lón Gaelach almost every Friday at break time. The main idea of the lón Gaelach is to promote the use of the Irish language and to encourage students to speak the cúpla focal they know over cake, sweets and music! We talk about all topics ranging from new music, weekend adventures to life itself! It shows students that the Irish they already possess is in fact enough to converse in, this in turn builds their confidence in the language and gives them that little boost they need to actively use the language in a fun, practical and useful way, keeping the language beo! Mar a deir an seanfhocal “Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste” (Broken Irish is better than clever English). Irish music is played (of all kinds) from pop to trad and shows that Gaeilge is relevant to us all today. So come along, join the comhrá, speak the teanga! agus glac páirt sa chraic a bhíonn againn le Coiste na Gaeilge!
We are very excited and enthusiastic about the Irish language and take great pride in organising activities and in keeping our language alive and kicking in the school.
Imogen Grumley-Traynor, Éna Lochrin agus Jack Ó’h-Aonghusa (Rang 11 & 12)
Irish language deparatment
Coiste na Gaeilge 2012 / 13
