Gaelbhratach: Flags presented to Dublin schools after an exceptional year

Students from two Dublin post-primary schools joined schools from all over the country at the Gaelbhratach presentation on DCU St Patrick’s Campus in last Tuesday. 

The flags were presented to students and teachers of Gonzaga College, Ranelagh and Manor House School, Raheny in recognition of the work they carried out throughout the year to promote the Irish language in their schools.

Caint bhríomhar. Pic: Seán Ó Mainnín

Coláiste Gonzaga, BÁC, agus an múinteoir Aoife Gillane, sásta lena ngradam. Pic: Seán Ó Mainnín

Scoil Theach an Mhainéara:Gráinne &; Sofia. Sa phictiúr chomh maith tá Feidhmeannach Foras na Gaeilge, Caitlín Ní Chonghaile, agus Antoine Ó Coileáin, Príomhfheidhmeannach Gael Linn. Pic: Seán Ó Mainnín

It was a fun social occasion for students of Gaelbhratach committees across the country to come together, enjoy the ceol agus craic, and to get a taste of Irish-language life outside of school through workshops and a panel discussion with some former Gaelbhratach students.

Caoimhe Ní Chathail, producer and presenter with BBC Blas and Raidió Fáilte, and Jamie Ó Flannúra, manager of Raidió Rí-Rá, presented the flags to the schools on the scheme.

Jamie presented the panel discussion – which focused on the opportunities and possibilities that come with a life through Irish after school – alongside Barry Ó Siochriú, the first full-time Irish language officer in the NUI Galway Students’ Union; Mairidh Nic Cormaic, founder of Sew It Seams; Mícheál Ó Nualláin, manager of Baile Átha Cliath le Gaeilge; and Caoimhe Ní Chathail.

Scoil an Mhainéara, Ráth Eanaigh. Pic: Seán Ó Mainnín

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Edel Ní Bhraonáin, Gaelbhratach Project Coordinator with Gael Linn, praised all of the schools for the work they did this year.

“It’s not easy to achieve the Gaelbhratach during a normal school year, let alone with the exceptional circumstances and uncertainty we saw this year.

“We are very proud of the students and the teachers for the great work they have done in spite of that,” she said.

“I’d like to thank Conradh na Gaeilge and Glór na nGael for their support for the scheme until now.

“We’ve been going since 2013, and our team are still getting fresh energy and ideas every year from the various creative ways in which the Gaelbhratach schools promote Irish.”

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mairidh Nic Cormaic, founder of Sew it Seams, said: “It’s been a great day between the discussion panel, the presentation, and the craic and music.

“I think the students got a good insight into the importance of taking part in community committees like the Coiste Gaelbhratach and into the opportunities the language gives to us,” she said.

“The Coiste Gaelbhratach gave me lots of confidence, and I’ve gotten even more since from Irish language life generally – when I started my own company, that was really helpful.

“And without a doubt, Gaelbhratach is a brilliant scheme that inspires a love for the language in young people.”

The Gaelbhratach scheme is funded by Foras na Gaeilge and by the Department of Education and Skills.

Foras na Gaeilge Executive Caitlín Ní Chonghaile and Chief Executive of Gael Linn, Antoine Ó Coileáin, both spoke as part of the event.

They praised the students who inspired the students in their efforts to achieve the Gaelbhratach, as well as the cooperation between the various organisations involved in the scheme.