Ulster GAA and Gael Linn launch Gaeilge sa Rang teaching resource

Ulster GAA and Gael Linn have launched a new initiative, ‘Gaeilge sa Rang’, a resource to incorporate the teaching of Irish in the English-medium primary classroom throughout the province of Ulster.

Sheol CLG Uladh agus Gael Linn an tionscnamh nua ‘Gaeilge sa Rang’ ar na mallaibh atá dírithe ar rochtain ar an Ghaeilge a mhéadú sa bhunscoil lán-Bhéarla ar fud Chúige Uladh.

More than 20 lessons, which are inclusive of multimedia support and cater for the junior, middle and senior classes at primary school level, are available. The resource was originally created by Tyrone GAA and Risteard Mac Daibhéid.

Cuirtear áiseanna ar fáil, ina bhfuil níos mó ná 20 ceacht agus tacaíocht ilmheánach ann chomh maith, a dhíríonn ar na bunranganna, na meánranganna agus na hardranganna ag leibhéal na bunscoile. CLG Thír Eoghain agus Risteard Mac Daibhéid a leag na bonnchlocha leis an togra seo a chur i bhfeidhm.

Speaking the launch held in Tyrone GAA Centre Garvaghy last week, Ulster GAA president Ciaran McLaughlin commented: “Comhairle Uladh is continually looking at ways to promote the Irish language. In the Association we have many Gaeilgeoirí and their contribution to Irish language promotion has a significant impact.”

Ag an seoladh sa phríomhionad CLG Thír Eoghain i nGarbhachadh, dúirt Uachtarán CLG Uladh, Ciaran Mac Lochlainn: “Bíonn Comhairle Uladh i gcónaí ag lorg dóigheanna chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. Tá go leor Gaeilgeoirí sa Chumann agus tá tionchar mór acu ar chur chun cinn na Gaeilge.”

Ciaran continued “We also have strong links with schools in the province and this project is a continuation of that. ‘Gaeilge sa Rang’ provides a unique focus on the English-medium primary school setting. We are confident this package of resources will enable schools, children and their families to develop a Grá for an Ghaeilge, which they can then bring back into their clubs and counties.”

Lean Ciaran ar aghaidh, “Tá naisc láidre againn chomh maith le scoileanna sa chúige agus is leanúint de sin é an tionscadal seo. Cuireann ‘Gaeilge sa Rang’ béim ar leith ar shuíomh na bunscoile trí mheán an Bhéarla. Táimid muiníneach go gcuirfidh an pacáiste acmhainní seo ar chumas na scoileanna, páistí agus a dteaghlaigh le Grá don Ghaeilge a fhorbairt, ar féidir leo a thabhairt ar ais ina gclubanna agus ina gcontaetha.”

Niamh McElduff, Ulster GAA Irish Language Officer added: “We recognise the great work that is going on in clubs and counties in the promotion of our language and our culture. This additional support to our youth will help develop the language even more.”

Dúirt Niamh Nic Giolla Dhuibh, Oifigeach Gaeilge agus Cultúir CLG Uladh: “Aithnímid an obair iontach atá ar siúl sna clubanna agus sna contaetha chun ár dteanga agus ár gcultúr a chur chun cinn. Cuideoidh an tacaíocht bhreise seo le páistí óga agus iad ag forbairt na teanga níos fearr arís.”

Diarmaid Marsden, Head of Community Development at Ulster GAA concluded:

“Ulster GAA are delighted to have worked closely with Gael Linn on this project. We have a strong focus on the Language and Culture with our Gaeilge sa Chlub scholarship programme, Foghlaim sa Chlub resources & Cúrsa de Faoite and intend to develop our activities in this area even more.”

Dúirt Diarmaid Ó’Mairsdin, Ceann na Roinne Forbartha Pobail CLG Uladh:

“Tá áthas ar CLG Uladh bheith ag obair le Gael Linn ar an tionscnamh seo.  Tá béim láidir againn ar an teanga agus ar an chultúr lenár gclár scoláireachtaí Gaeilge sa Chlub, acmhainní ‘Foghlaim sa Chlub’ agus Cúrsa de Faoite. Tá sé beartaithe againn ár ngníomhaíochtaí sa réimse seo a fhorbairt níos mó fós.”

Séamas Mac Eochaidh, Educational Policy Officer with Gael Linn, commented: “Gael Linn is delighted to collaborate with Ulster GAA on ‘Gaeilge sa Rang’. Gael Linn commends Ulster GAA’s proactive approach in promoting the language and we greatly appreciate their support in bringing this initiative into schools.

“Gael Linn acknowledges and appreciates the foundational work that Tyrone GAA and Risteard Mac Daibhéid carried out to create the resources and are grateful for the use of the resources as part of this initiative. ‘Gaeilge sa Rang’ will assist in incorporating the use of Irish in the English-medium primary classroom throughout the province. However, with the particular lack of language provision and suitable resources for teaching Irish at the primary level in the North, this resource seeks to fill a gap in such provision in English-medium schools.”

Maíonn Séamas Mac Eochaidh, Oifigeach Polasaí Oideachais le Gael Linn: “Tá Gael Linn fíorshásta a bheith ag obair ar an togra seo le CLG Uladh. Molann Gael Linn an CLG Uladh go mór as a bheith réamhghníomhach ag cur na teanga chun cinn leis an togra seo agus tá muid fíorbhuíoch as a gcuid tacaíochta leis an togra a chur i gcrích.

“Tá Gael Linn thar a bheith buíoch de CLG Thír Eoghain agus Risteard Mac Daibhéid, chomh maith, a leag na bonnchlocha leis an togra seo a chur i bhfeidhm agus a roinn na háiseanna go flaithiúil chun leas na Gaeilge. Cuideoidh na háiseanna seo go mór leis an Ghaeilge a ionchorprú ag leibhéal na bunscoile i gCúige Uladh. Tá ganntanas córasach i soláthar teangacha ó thuaidh, go háirithe, agus leis sin tá sé léirithe ag scoileanna go láidir go bhfuil easpa mhór áiseanna ann atá oiriúnach do scoileanna lán-Bhéarla. Féachann an tionscnamh seo leis an bhearna sin i scoileanna Béarla a líonadh agus le scoileanna sa chúige ar fad a spreagadh leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn.”

Visit www.ulster.gaa.ie/gaeilgesarang