Gaeltacht schools to combine language, sport and culture in pilot project
Principal of St Brendan's College, Belmullet, Michael Walsh, with students and the school's T.Y. co-ordinator Stephanie O'Sullivan at the launch of Gaeliomána. Picture: Trish Forde
Transition Year students in five post-primary schools in Mayo Gaeltacht areas are to take part in a new Irish-language initiative which was formally launched by Dara Calleary T.D., Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence.
Gaeliomána promotes the everyday use of Irish through sport, media and cultural engagement, and will run for the next two years at Gaelcholáiste Chomáin, St Brendan’s College in Belmullet, Convent of Mercy Belmullet, Coláiste Muire Túr Mhic Éadaigh and Coláiste Pobail Acla.
Funded by Roinn na Gaeltachta and coordinated by Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board, Gaeliomána is supported by Mayo hurling clubs and community partners.
Programme modules will include hurling skills coaching, club placements, food nutrition and media skills, along with visits to TG4, Raidió na Gaeltachta and Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, University of Galway. The video production module will help students create Irish-language media content to be broadcast by project partners, media partners (e.g TG4/Molscéal) and other sports platforms.
Students will also have the opportunity to sit the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge examination and pick up module certificates in nutrition and coaching skills, adding recognised credits to their academic CV during their Transition Year.
“The connection between sport and language is particularly strong for young people in Gaeltacht areas and this connection has been identified as a key focus in the Language Planning Process,” said Minister Calleary, who said he was delighted to support the initiative with funding.
“I am sure that it will help with the effort to create opportunities for language use and continuity for young people in speaking Irish within and without the education system.” T
om Grady, chief executive of MSLETB, added: “Gaeliomána offers our Transition Year students something genuinely fresh and exciting. By combining sport, cultural experiences and media training through Irish, the programme supports students in gaining new skills, building confidence and experiencing Irish as a living language.”
