At events on the 20 and 21 May 2019 in Tralee Education Centre awards were presented to some of the 1,352 children who created, designed and published their own books in Irish as part of the Foras na Gaeilge Scríobh Leabhar (Write a Book) project in County Kerry. The former GAA player and winner of Dancing with the Stars Aidan O’Mahony was in attendance as special guest on the night to celebrate their achievement with the children.

In total this year 120 schools and more than 7,000 children took part in the project and more than 4,000 books were written. Similar events will be held in coming weeks to celebrate what young pupils throughout the country have achieved. Foras na Gaeilge organises Scríobh Leabhar in conjunction with some education centres: Clare Education Centre, West Cork Education Centre, Dublin West Education Centre, Carrick-on-Shannon Education Centre, Laois Education Centre, Tralee Education Centre, Kilkenny Education Centre, Cork Education Support Centre, Gort an Choirce Teachers’ Centre in Donegal and An tÁisaonad in Belfast.

More than 50,000 pupils have taken part in Scríobh Leabhar since it was set up in the 2006/2007 school year. Not only do pupils write their own book as part of this project but they also have the opportunity to read and discuss stories by children from other schools.  It gives an exciting opportunity to children to express their feelings through Irish. As well as that, it fosters cooperation between school communities and makes the children aware of the concept of peer review and it especially fosters creativity and a holistic approach to child development. Teachers also have a central role in Scríobh Leabhar, and they are given in-service training to help them help the children in their efforts. 

“Scríobh Leabhar gives an opportunity to young children to show their ability, their creativity and their enthusiasm for Irish from a very young age. One of the aims of Foras na Gaeilge is for young people to have opportunities to speak and write and this aim is clearly achieved by Scríobh Leabhar. There has been a great deal achieved when you look at the number of children and schools that have taken part in the project since it was started more than ten years ago”, said Seán Ó Coinn, Foras na Gaeilge CEO. “We are indebted to the Tralee Education Centre and all the other centres for taking part again this year. The centres deserve fulsome praise, as do the children and teachers for the exponential growth of the project”, he said.

AN TAIBHDHEARC & ABBEY THEATRE

Present a major new Abbey Theatre Commission

BAOITE

By DARACH MAC CON IOMAIRE

A fishing family in the west of Ireland leads a desperate fight to defend their coastal community from the imminent threat of offshore fracking. But the constant pressure of campaigning mounts and hidden fractures appear in the once-solid clan, as lies, legacies, deceit and ultimate betrayal destroy the community.

This tense thriller traces the silence, shame, and lies at the heart of the Irish psyche, through the eyes of activist Cáit. Cáit is 38. Cáit wants children. Her third attempt at IVF has just failed. Burdened with debt, she now faces selling out her community to get what she wants...

  
Cast includes Máirtín Jaimsie Ó Flaithearta (AN KLONDIKE), Diarmuid De Faoite (CORP + ANAM), Sorcha Ní Chéide (PURSUIT), and Eoin Ó Dubhghaill (GRACE HARTE), featuring an original soundtrack performed live by Saileog Ní Cheannabháin (RAELACH RECORDS) and Maitiú Ó Casaide (TG4 Young Musician of the Year ‘15). Set design by artist Seán Ó Flaithearta. Written & directed by Darach Mac Con Iomaire.

Performed in Irish with English subtitles

In association with:

Foras Na Gaeilge | Dublin City Council | Galway City Council

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS PLEASE CONTACT: Ciara Ní É, Publicity, An Taibhdhearc on miseciara@gmail.com

FOR TICKETS PLEASE CONTACT: Róisín McGann, Press Manager, Abbey Theatre on roisin.mcgann@abbeytheatre.ie

NOTES TO EDITORS

LISTINGS
Dates: 17 - 25 May 2019

Free First Preview: 17 May 2019

Opening night: 20 May 2019

Times: 8pm ( Matinee on 25 May at 2.30pm)

Booking: abbeytheatre.ie

CREDITS

Cáit: Sorcha Ní Chéide

Tom: Diarmuid De Faoite

Pat: Máirtín Jaimsie Ó Flaithearta

Simon: Eoin Ó Dubhghaill

Written & Directed by: Darach Mac Con Iomaire

Set Design: Seán Ó Flaithearta

Costume Design: Clíodhna Hallissey

Lighting Design: Susan Collins & Matt Burke

Live Music: Saileog Ní Cheannabháin

Live Music: Maitiú Ó Casaide

Music/Sound Design: Steve Lynch

Sound Engineering: Joe Bean

Stage Manager: Úna Ní Fhlatharta

Rigger: Eoghan Ó Giobúin

Set Construction: Gavin Morgan

Publicity: Ciara Ní É

Production Manager: Féilim Ó hAoláin

The Abbey Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of

The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon

The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

2 p.m. Dé hAoine an 10 Bealtaine 2019

Ó Pháirc Náisiúnta Ghleann Bheatha go Gartán

Beidh siúlóid ar Shlí Cholmcille Dé hAoine an 10 Bealtaine 2019 go Gartán, an áit ar saolaíodh Naomh Colmcille. Beidh Bláthnaid Rua Ní Chofaigh ó RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta ar an tsiúlóid, agus í ag cur spéis i mbeatha an naoimh agus sa chomóradh atá ag teacht ó 2020 go dtí 2021 ar 1500 bliain ó saolaíodh Colmcille. Beidh  an staraí agus seandálaí Brian Lacey ann le scéalta ar Cholmcille agus le heolas faoin tseandálaíocht. Áirítear Colmcille mar aon le Bríd agus Pádraig mar thrí naomhphátrún na hÉireann, agus tá ómós ar leith do Cholmcille  in Éirinn agus in Albain. Nascann Slí Cholmcille (www.colmcille.org) áiteanna in Éirinn agus in Albain a bhfuil baint acu le Colmcille agus a chuid mainistreacha. Tá an tsiúlóid á heagrú ag an chlár Colmcille de chuid Fhoras na Gaeilge i gcomhar le RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

Tosóidh an tsiúlóid ag 2 p.m. Dé hAoine an 10 Bealtaine i gcarrchlós Pháirc Náisiúnta Ghleann Bheatha agus críochnóidh sí ar láthair bhreithe Cholmcille i nGartán. Beidh bus ar fáil chun pilleadh ar Ghleann Bheatha ina dhiaidh sin. Mairfidh an tsiúlóid féin tuairim is dhá uair an chloig. Tá cosán maith siúil ann, ach moltar do dhaoine bróga díonmhara agus cóta fearthainne a thabhairt leo.  Iarrtar ar dhaoine €3 a thabhairt leo le haghaidh chostas an bhus.

Eolas: Aodh Mac Ruairí amacruairi@forasnagaeilge.ie, fón 074 95 60113

At the third meeting of 2019 on Friday 26 April, during the West Waterford Food Festival in Rinn Ó gCuanach, the Foras na Gaeilge board approved grants worth €358,754.

Grants were approved for 71 summer camps running throughout the island during the summer. The Summer Camps Scheme 2019, which was announced earlier this year, will give the opportunity to young people between three and eighteen years of age to attend sports, drama, dancing, music and filming activities as well as trips. Grants worth €148,065, each a maximum of €2,500 or £1,750, have been approved for 71 separate camps this year.

Foras na Gaeilge provides funding support each year to community committees to establish new nursery school provision or nurseries through the Investment Fund for the Establishment of Preschool Provision and Childcare scheme. Grants were approved through this fund for Gaelscoil Aodha Dhuibh (£73,000) in Carryduff and Cúram Leanaí na Fuiseoige (£73,000) in Belfast.

As well as summer camps and nursery schools, €48,467 worth of grants were approved for major arts events running throughout the island during 2019. These include an Fhéile Náisiúnta Dhrámaíochta (€14,500), Féile an Phobail (£8,000) and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (€5,500). These are major events which aim to promote the Irish language and language-based Irish language arts through the medium of Irish or bilingually.

Foras na Gaeilge Chief Executive Seán Ó Coinn said, “We very much welcomed the opportunity to have a board meeting at the West Waterford Food Festival, a festival which Foras na Gaeilge has supported this year through the Festivals Scheme 2019. There were representatives from Waterford City and County Council and Pleanáil Teanga na nDéise present at various sessions and cooperation between us has been put on a strong footing for the future. As for the funding approved at the meeting, I have no doubt but that the grants will have a positive influence on the use of Irish among young people again this year. There is the same demand for the Summer Camps Scheme from year to year but it is a cause of regret for us that it is not in our power to support all eligible applications due to a lack of money, especially in view of the interest and commitment shown by the groups organising the camps.”

Ends

Further Information:

Anna Davitt, Programme Manager: Communications, Marketing & Awareness, Foras na Gaeilge

Tel: 0035387 673 6175    

Email: adavitt@forasnagaeilge.ie

How does Foras na Gaeilge support publishing?

Foras na Gaeilge promotes reading and publishing primarily through An Gúm, Áis and Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge. Through Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge, Irish language publishers are supported through the Publishing Scheme, and Irish language writers are supported through the writing schemes.

An Gúm provides publications and facilities which support education through Irish and the use of Irish in general. Today An Gúm mainly deals with lexicography, publishing textbooks and school facilities and reading material for young people. Foras na Gaeilge has a particular legislative duty in regard to these matters.

The Áisíneacht Dáiliúchan Leabhar (ÁIS) (the Books Distribution Agency) was set up in 1980 to distribute Irish language publications nationally and internationally. Áis provides a distribution service for Irish language publishers and ensures a supply of Irish language books on the market.

Major Publishing Awards

The 2019 Major Publishing Awards are organised by Foras na Gaeilge in conjunction with the Irish language Lead Organisation An tOireachtas. Later this year Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin (Book of the Year for Adult Readers) and Gradam Réics Carló (Book of the Year for Young Readers) will be awarded to Irish language publishers and authors.

These major awards will give recognition to good practice, to creativity and to presentation at all levels of the process of preparing a book for the market.

Portráidí.ie

Portráidí na Scríbhneoirí Gaeilge is a multistage and continuous project organised in conjunction with Comhar. 

Portráidí na Scríbhneoirí Gaeilge is a live collection of contemporary Irish language writers based on the work of Máire Uí Mhaicín. The current collection contains portraits of over 136 writers. You can view the collection on portraidi.ie.

Which schemes support publishing?

Through Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge, Foras na Gaeilge provides support for both Irish language publishers and writers through the following schemes:

• The Publishing Scheme
• The Commissions Scheme
• The Mentoring Scheme
• The Literary Projects Scheme

Further information on the schemes can be found here.

Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge also caters for our youngest authors. Scríobh Leabhar is a project to foster Irish language writing and reading among primary school children. Around 8,000 participate in this project each year and a selection of their achievements can be seen on the site www.scríobhleabhar.ie.

Further information

Further information on the support Foras na Gaeilge provides to the the arts is available in the booklet Time for Publishing.

A full list of Foras na Gaeilge schemes can be found here.

Seolfaidh Uachtarán na hOllscoile, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, an seachtú heagrán den iris phiarmheasúnaithe Léann Teanga: An Reiviú ag 5.00i.n. Dé Céadaoin, an 1 Bealtaine 2019 i dTéatar Chearbhalláin, Áras na Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh.

Foilsítear An Reiviú mar chuid den chúrsa MA sa Léann Teanga le hAcadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh.  Is foilseachán bliantúil é seo a thugann ardán don dioscúrsa teanga in Éirinn agus thar lear.

Bronnfaidh Pól Ó Gallchóir, Cathaoirleach Fhoras na Gaeilge, Scoláireacht Mhic Dhonncha i gcuimhne ar Joe Mac Donncha (1953-2016) ag an ócáid chéanna agus bronnfar freisin Gradam Fhoras na Gaeilge ar na scoláirí a ghnóthaigh an marc ab airde don togra aistriúcháin i mbliain na céime de chuid an BA i Léann an Aistriúcháin.

Beidh sólaistí ar fáil agus cuirfear fáilte chroíúil roimh chách.

Tuilleadh eolais ar fáil  ag  reiviuleannteanga@oegaillimh.ie

Foras na Gaeilge is delighted to announce that over two million users consulted the New English-Irish Dictionary website, foclóir.ie, in the twelve-month period from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019. This is the first time since the site was launched in January 2013 that the two million mark was reached in any twelve-month period. During the same period, over 25 million pages were viewed.

Compared with the same twelve-month period the year before (1 April 2017 – 31 March 2018), there was a 23% increase in user numbers and a 29% increase in pageviews.

67% of the dictionary’s users are in Ireland, 18% are in the US and 7% are in Britain.

In terms of technology, over 60% of users use mobile phones to access the website while 30% of users use computers with the rest using tablets.

The foclóir.ie website was launched in January 2013. Entries were added to the website every six months until January 2017. There are almost 48,000 entries and 130,000 sense units on the website. The dictionary team is currently working on the print edition of the dictionary which is due to be published next year.

What are Branar and Moonfish?

Branar Téatar do Pháistí is one of the leading theatre companies creating work for children in Ireland. Branar creates beautiful, innovative, high quality productions that inspire children and their families and supports artists to create work for young audiences through our tailored programmes of resource sharing and Tiny Show creation. They also create opportunities for children to explore their own arts practice in school settings.

Moonfish is a Galway-based theatre company creating productions in Irish and English that is rooted in the broad world of the imagination. Moonfish is a collaborative ensemble that blends language, story-telling, music and dance with puppetry, interactive technology and lighting to create exhilarating experiences that challenge and excite their audiences.

Empowering the Arts

Foras na Gaeilge promotes the Irish language arts, the traditional arts, Irish language learning and culture on an all-island and international basis. This work includes the arts sector, festivals, conferences, theatre, training workshops, publications, films and cultural events.

Foras na Gaeilge believes that the arts have a vital role to play in society by helping us to define our identity and express ourselves.

How did Foras na Gaeilge support Branar and Moonfish?

In 2018 Foras na Gaeilge supported Branar and Moonfish through the Drama Companies Scheme 2018.

This scheme focuses on Irish language drama companies which aim to foster, develop and provide Irish language drama to the arts sector, the Irish language community, the general public and the education sector. As well as that, this scheme focuses on the development of attendee and audience communities.

Further information

Further information on how Foras na Gaeilge supports the arts is available in the booklet Time for Arts.

A full list of Foras na Gaeilge schemes can be found here. 

Who are the Carntogher community? 

There is a small rural community of 200 families in the Slaughtneil area, under Carntogher Mountain, on the edge of Maghera, Co. Derry. The area was experiencing depopulation over the years, a challenge which impacted on language, traditional ecological habitats and the agricultural sector.

The Carntogher Community Association was established in 1992 to regenerate the Slaughtneil and Carntogher area and to promote environmental, economic, social and cultural projects in the area.

The revival of the Irish language is central to the ethos of the development committee and they promote all projects bilingually. There is a young, lively, energetic community of Irish speakers a bright vision for the area who are currently leading the revival of Irish.

Carntogher was among the 5 Irish speaking communities that gained official recognition as an Irish language network in 2015. This was the first time such official status was awarded to an area outside the Gaeltacht.

Heart of the Community

Services through Irish for the Carntogher community include a shop, a coffee shop, resource centre, theatre, youth club and afterschool club. There are Irish language and music classes, conversation circles, training courses and reflexology sessions for babies and children in the resource centre provided locally.

Féile Charn Tóchair is a community based festival which celebrates culture, language, environment and the archeological heritage of the Maghera area. As well as Féile Charn Tóchair the community organises Feis Charn Tóchair, which promotes culture and revival of the Irish language. There are sections in the feis which are suitable for all young people, whether naíscoil, Gaelscoil, or English medium primary and secondary schools.

How does Foras na Gaeilge support Carn Tóchair?

Foras na Gaeilge provided support for Carntogher in 2018 through the Irish Language Communities Scheme 2016 – 2020, Irish Language Networks, the Festivals Scheme, the Summer Camps Scheme and the Youth Events Scheme.

If you are interested in getting more information about our funding schemes and about the support available for you fill in the contact box below and we will be in contact with you.  

Further information

There is further information on the support Foras na Gaeilge provides to the community in this booklet.

More information on Irish language networks is available at #GaeilgeleChéile.

A full list of Foras na Gaeilge schemes can be found here. 

Tá buaiteoir an chéad Deontas Gaeltachta ó Chomhar Creidmheasa Naomh Aontoine agus an Cladach fógartha. Is í Katie Dooley an buaiteoir a bhfuil cónaí uirthi i Maigh Cuilinn agus a fhreastalaíonn ar Choláiste Naomh Éanna an buaiteoir. Bhailigh Katie agus a máthair Eileen an duais ó Lisa Stewart, Comhar Creidmheasa Naomh Aontoine agus an Cladach, agus Bríd Ní Chonghóile, Gaillimh le Gaeilge, agus dúirt Katie: ‘Tá áthas an domhain orm an deis seo a fháil freastal ar choláiste Gaeltachta. Táim ag súil go mór le casadh le daoine nua agus mo chuid Gaeilge a fheabhsú, agus tar éis dom an cúrsa a chríochnú, beidh mé níos muiníne ag labhairt na Gaeilge. Go raibh míle maith agaibh, a Chomhair Chreidmheasa Naomh Aontoine agus an Cladach.’

Is í seo an chéad bhliain den Deontas Gaeltachta agus cuireadh tús leis chun tacú le daltaí ina gcuid iarrachtaí a gcuid Gaeilge a fheabhsú. Gach bliain, reáchtálann an Comhar Creidmheasa sparánacht choláiste, #UniCash, trína mbronntar naoi sparánacht, ar fiú €1,500 an ceann iad, ar dhaltaí Ardteistiméireachta. Deir an tOifigeach Margaíochta Lisa Stewart ‘shíl muid gur forbairt nádúrtha a bhí sa Deontas Gaeltachta nua mar go raibh muid fós ag cuidiú le daltaí cur lena n-oideachas ach trí Ghaeilge an uair seo.’ Is féidir le gach ball iarbhunscoile de SACU cur isteach ar an deontas agus roghnaítear an buaiteoir go randamach. Is féidir an Deontas Gaeltachta a úsáid chun íoc as táille suas go dtí €1,000 agus tabharfaidh sé seo an-deis do Katie.

Deir Bríd Ní Chonghóile, Gaillimh le Gaeilge: “Táimid fíorshásta a bheith ag obair le Lisa agus an fhoireann iontach i gComhar Creidmheasa Naomh Aontoine agus an Cladach.  Ó tharla go bhfuil sé ar cheann de na hinstitiúidí airgeadais is mó cáil air i nGaillimh, tá ríméad orainn go bhfuil an Comhar Creidmheasa  chomh hoscailte don Ghaeilge agus go bhfuil siad ag cuidiú lena mbaill óga a gcuid Gaeilge a fheabhsú. Comhghairdeas le Katie! Is iontach an deis í seo cuairt a thabhairt ar an nGaeltacht agus taithí den scoth a fháil ar an gcultúr Gaelach. Tá muid ag súil go mór le leanacht leis an gcaidreamh iontach oibre atá againn leis an  gComhar Creidmheasa  agus an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn agus a neartú tuilleadh sa chathair.”

Is cuid d’iarracht nua de chuid SACU é an Deontas Gaeltachta chun níos mó Gaeilge a úsáid i saol laethúil an ghnó. Is dlúthchara de chuid Ghaillimh le Gaeilge anois í an eagraíocht agus le bliain anuas tá an fhoireann tar éis a bheith ag freastal ar ranganna Gaeilge agus ag úsáid na Gaeilge ar chomharthaí agus le custaiméirí. Mar a deir Lisa Stewart, ‘le stádas na Gaillimhe mar Chathair Dhátheangach, shíl muid go mbeadh sé tábhachtach ár dteanga dhúchais a úsáid agus a chothú sa Chomhar Creidmheasa agus tá tuilleadh forbairtí beartaithe againn don todhchaí.’