With thousands of children going back-to-school this week, a group of local school wardens are proving that Irish has a place beyond the classroom, bringing the language to life at school gates across Dublin.
Eight Fingal County Council school wardens are taking part in Turas Teanga, a Gaeilge365 initiative supported by Dublin’s four local authorities.
The programme is helping wardens build confidence in using Irish in their daily interactions with pupils, parents and guardians, creating opportunities for children and families to hear and use the language in everyday life.
For many children, the school warden is one of the first people they see each morning.
Through simple phrases such as “Ar aghaidh libh” (on you go) and “Fan ar an gcosán” (stay on the path), wardens are helping bring Irish beyond the classroom and into the heart of their communities.
By creating everyday opportunities to use Irish, school wardens are helping advance the Government’s ambition for 20% of public sector recruits to be Irish speakers by 2030.
One of the wardens taking part is Siobhán Lynch, a reserve school warden who works across Fingal.
After spending 12 years raising her three children, Siobhán returned to the workforce last year and now describes the role as the most enjoyable job she has ever had.
She particularly enjoys meeting local families and says the daily interaction with children and parents is one of the most rewarding aspects of the job.
The programme has also strengthened Siobhán’s connection with Irish at home.
Her three children, Cian (9), Megan (11) and Éabha (13), are educated through Irish, with the younger two attending a local Gaelscoil.
While she jokes that their Irish is far better than hers, seeing their confidence with the language encouraged her to improve her own.
Taking part in Turas Teanga helped Siobhán realise she knew more Irish than she initially thought.
“So much of the Irish I learned in school came back to me,” she said. ‘’What began with a few simple phrases has since developed into regular conversations in Irish with children and parents at school crossings.’’
Supporting the initiative, Larry Bergin, Road Safety Officer at Fingal County Council, said: “School wardens are trusted voices in our communities, helping children and families travel safely every day.
“Through Turas Teanga, they are also creating opportunities to use Irish in a natural and meaningful way.
“By combining road safety messages with everyday Irish conversation, the initiative supports safer school journeys while helping to make Irish a more visible part of daily life.”
Katie Fetherston, School Warden Supervisor with Fingal County Council’s Active Travel Unit, said: “It’s been fantastic to see Turas Teanga come to life and to watch participants grow in confidence using Irish in their daily work.
“School wardens are uniquely placed to use Irish in a practical and positive way because they interact with children and families every day.
“Every greeting and conversation helps make Irish a more visible, accessible and natural part of community life.”