ION 2018 NEW 2:Layout 1 05/06/2018 09:55 Page 1 Ceiliúradh na Gaelscolaíochta A Celebration of Irish Medium Education 2018

Ó Neart go Neart From Strength to Strength

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The people who set up ‘‘naíscoileanna and bunscoileanna are transforming communities... Fáilte - Welcome ’’ This magazine has been put together Gaelcholáiste Dhoire is just coming to to give the reader a brief taste of the the end of its second year in Dungiven, continuous development of Irish trying manfully to meet the Medium Education in the North over burgeoning demand for Irish post- this past year or so. It offers a snapshot primary in County Derry. Bunscoil of the language as it is today, a central Bheann Mhadagáin has now got a part of the educational experience of fantastic building on Belfast’s in excess of 6,000 pupils; where Cliftonville Road, Gaelscoil na children, teaching staff and parents gCrann’s newbuild is under engage with each other in Irish on a construction in Omagh, while Gaelscoil daily basis. The development of a Uí Néill, Gaelscoil Aodha Rua and flourishing bilingual educational sector Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh are at is something that the state should various stages in getting new buildings. celebrate and encourage as adding In Belfast, Scoil an Droichid and value to its educational output. Gaelscoil Éanna will have new fit-for- purpose buildings in the next few years. However, things don’t just happen; people make things happen. The These infrastructural changes show the people who set up naíscoileanna and system catching up with the robust bunscoileanna are transforming growth of Irish schools over the past communities, with limited funding decade; that catching up process is by Gaelcholáiste Dhoire from my organisation, InaG and Foras no means complete. But it shows Irish Dungiven PAGE 3 na Gaeilge, along with support and Medium Education is now an advice from CnaG [Comhairle na established part of the fabric of the 3 New Irish Medium Gaelscolaíochta]. We have seen new educational system in the North. Nursery Schools PAGE 4 IME [Irish Medium Education] projects in Swatragh, Co. Derry, Toomebridge, We are getting bigger and better, more Gaelscoil na gCrann Co. Antrim, and in Armagh city. professional, with greater capacity and Omagh PAGE 6 Carryduff will see its own naíscoil greater expertise. Bilingual education opening its doors in the coming year. gives added value to those pupils who Coláiste Feirste To all of those who have played a part come through our schools and provides Belfast PAGE 7 in getting these schemes up and the framework to give them the skills running tá ár mbuíochas tuillte agaibh. and knowledge that can ensure they Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin become fully participating citizens in this North Belfast PAGE 8 This is just part of the story. The country in the 21st century and beyond. Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh majority of IME schools in the North Strabane PAGE 9 were set up between 10 and 20 years ago – as educational institutions they Pilib Ó Ruanaí (InaG) Naíscoil Aodha Dhuibh are young. But they are maturing in Carryduff PAGE 10 terms of capacity, infrastructure and the delivery of a quality education. Gaelscoil na mBeann Coláiste Feirste in Belfast has just The Trust Fund for Irish Medium Education Kilkeel PAGE 11 completed a £12m extension and new build to cater for the increased 199 Bóthar na bhFál, Béal Feirste BT12 6FB numbers seeking Irish post-primary Gaelscoil Éanna 199 Falls Road, Belfast BT12 6FB education. Indeed, plans are now Glengormley PAGE 12  advanced for a North Belfast campus : 02890 241510 Bunscoil an Traonaigh for Coláiste Feirste to ensure the school R-phost/Email: eolas@iontaobhasnagaelscolaiochta Lisnaskea PAGE 13 can meet the demand which is growing year on year. www.iontaobhasnag.com

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Gaelcholáiste Dhoire Dungiven Alakazam! It’s back to ‘cool’ as much as back to Not so much down to Harry Potter school for the pupils of Gaelcholáiste wizardry as to a helping hand from Dhoire every time they head back to the Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta who have particularly in bringing Irish back to an classroom. financed the new-build. area where it was spoken as a native language within living memory. Who else gets to go to school in an Iontaobhas recognises that Gaelcholáiste imposing 200-year-old castle? Dhoire is the most important Gaelcholáiste Dhoire is his dream job. development in Irish Medium Education ‘Hogwarths na Gaeilge’, as Dungiven in the last 25 years. Born into the first urban Irish language Castle is now affectionately known. community, Bóthar Seoighe in West It is only the second independent Irish Belfast, Diarmuid was himself brought up “Sixteen pupils started when we opened Medium post-primary in the North. in an Irish speaking household, was among in September 2015,” says Principal the first children to attend Bunscoil Phobal Diarmuid Ua Bruadair. “We have A third will open in North Belfast in the Feirste and later went on to work in the increased that number five-fold to 82 near future, when Coláiste Feirste opens first IME secondary school, Coláiste Feirste. students this term. In September we’ll a satellite school there. have 120 pupils. That’s a ten-fold increase Diarmuid links that first IME school, within three years.” And all the while demand for places in Bunscoil Phobal Feirste, and one of the Irish Medium streams at St Malachy’s newest schools, Gaelcholáiste Dhoire. Growing and expanding is a constant at High School, Castlewellan, Naomh Iósaef, Gaelcholáiste Dhoire — and not just for Donaghmore, and St Catherine’s Armagh And recently the link was strengthened the pupils. is steady or indeed increasing. further when some of those who set up the Shaws Road Gaeltacht in Belfast came “We will have three or four new teachers Gaelcholáiste Dhoire’s success is another to visit Gaelcholáiste Dhoire to celebrate a coming in in the autumn. Fresh sign that the rapid growth which has sector which has gone from just 12 pupils perspectives, different experiences, new characterised the nursery and primary IME to well over 6,000 within a generation. skills,” says Diarmuid. “And the school sector is now about to be replicated in the will also be growing dramatically in a post-primary sector. Which is the fastest growing educational physical sense. sector north and south. These are good times for the IME sector “We’ll soon have 120 pupils and that and Diarmuid is delighted to be involved, They had a wonderful evening in number will increase each year. So we’ll Dungiven Castle. need more space.” Those pioneers from the early days of So, as they say in the the real Hogwarths, IME inspiring the pupils of today and in Alakazam! their turn inspired by the pupils of today.

And there you go, a brand new five- Looking back at a great past, and classroom extension build alongside forward to an even better future! Dungiven Castle.

3 ION 2018 NEW 2:Layout 1 04/06/2018 20:47 Page 4 1-2-3 It’s elementary as Irish Medium continues to grow 1 Naíscoil na Fíobha 2 Naíscoil na Caille Toomebridge Armagh City

It’s the Slaughtneil effect! Since his four-year-old daughter In Armagh Naíscoil na Caille is the third naíscoil in the city, but the first So says John Mulhern of Naíscoil na Caelainn enrolled as one of the 16 independent one. Fíobha as he muses on why last pupils in Naíscoil Fíobha, John finds it’s September, for the first time in many something of roles reversed after While naíscoil and bunscoil streams in years, three new naíscoil, (Irish Medium school. local schools have helped meet the pre-schools) opened their doors. “I’ve a bit of Irish but to be truthful I’m needs of IME until now, demand continues to soar. Naíscoil na Fíobha in Toomebridge, learning as much from her as I’m Naíscoil Ghreanacháin in Swatragh and teaching her! Which led to the opening of Naíscoil na Náiscoil na Caille in Armagh city. “Having said that, there are evening Caille last September. For John, chair of Naíscoil na Fíobha classes for parents, which is great, and Naíscoil na Caille has had a tremendous committee, the explanation is clear. the wider community has been very first year, so much so that a new supportive, with so many individuals standalone Bunscoil in Armagh is now “So many people are passionate now and groups organising fundraisers or due to open in 2019. about the language, it is really striking. helping in other ways — the local GAA “The momentum is evident,” says “It’s partly the Slaughtneil effect,” he in particular. Naíscoil committee member Gearóid Ó says, referring to the South Derry club “So Naíscoil na Fíobha has very much a Machail. which has had numerous Ulster and community feel to it, but that doesn’t national success in recent years. surprise me as I know a lot of the IME “Just look at the sterling work done in “It’s clear that the revival of the (Irish Medium Education) schools have the Irish Medium streams in the local language and culture in Slaughtneil that strong community participation.” schools. has rejuvenated that community and Now that the naíscoil is going so well, area. A lot of the kids and adults there an announcement is expected very “Look at Gael-Linn here in Armagh, at speak Irish as their first language. And soon about the opening of a Bunscoil Cleamairí Ard Mhacha, Píobairí Ard it’s something which we want to in the Toome area. Mhacha, Cairde Teo. emulate here.” “And of course, Aonach Mhacha, the Irish language cultural centre which is being developed on the site of the former fire station. And so much more. “We’ve done a lot of work in Armagh to ensure that the Irish language is not seen as the exclusive domain of any one group or community. “Widening access to IME (Irish Medium Education) is a logical progression. So, an Ghaeilge in Ard Mhacha is moving into the fast lane. Ar aghaidh linn!’

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3 Naíscoil Ghreanacháin Swatragh

In County Derry, they know all about You can find more information about life in the IME fast lane, with almost Naíscoil Fíobha, Naíscoil na Caille and 1,100 children attending 11 naíscoil, Naíscoil Ghreanacháin on their bunscoil and meánscoil. Facebook pages. When a public meeting was held to set All three naíscoil depend on the unpaid up Naíscoil Ghreanacháin in Swatragh commitment of many volunteers, it’s no surprise that past pupils of supporters and parents. Bunscoil Luraigh in Maghera and Crucial also has been the role of parents of children in other Altram, the support group for Irish bunscoileanna were on the committee, Medium Early Years Projects, the bringing with them a wealth of development officers of Comhairle na knowledge and experience of IME. Gaelscolaíochta, and financial and Also central to the initiative are the other help from Foras na Gaeilge and local GAA, CLG Mhícheáil Mhic Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta. Dhaibhéid. If you are interested in Irish Medium With 10 children in the school this year Education get in touch with Comhairle and good enrolment for next term na Gaelscolaíochta at already, Naíscoil Ghreanacháin joins http://www.comhairle.org/ the rapidly increasing number of IME schools in the Oak Leaf County. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí!

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Gaelscoil na gCrann Omagh Take a leaf out of our book

Omagh didn’t have any Irish Medium But with bilingual schools 15 years ago. education we do offer something quite Back then who could have imagined that distinctive and I think a lot today 180 children would be attending more parents are seeing the Gaelscoil and Naíscoil na gCrann on unique advantages of that. Killyclogher Road? “The new school building, when it comes, Just 10 years ago who would have will add to that momentum but the trend forecast that the Department of here and throughout the North has seen Education would invest £2.3m in a brick- the numbers choosing Irish Medium A few years back he wrote the school build seven-classroom state-of-the-art Education increasing year on year. play, which pupils performed at the Féile brand new building for Gaelscoil na Scoildrámaíochta, the All-Ireland Schools gCrann? “IthinkthatinOmaghIMEisinsafehands.” Drama Festival in Mullingar. Almost everything is in place and the ApastwinnerofPrimaryTeacherofthe In total, 44 schools took part, but hope is that work will start this year; Year Northern Ireland and with over 20 Gaelscoil na gCrann was overall winner, estimated build time once the green light years of experience teaching in the IME bringing one of the most coveted is given, 60 weeks. sector, Risteard might well be referring to accolades in Irish school drama to the himself as ‘safe hands’. Secondary-level Irish Medium Education is North for the first time ever. What about well served at Scoil Iósaef, St Joseph’s But he’s in fact referring to the new the future? Grammar School in Donaghmore. generation of IME teachers, particularly those “To try to be the best school in Omagh, he sees around him in Gaelscoil na gCrann. However, with the rapid growth of then in Tyrone, then in Ireland,” he says Gaelscoil na gCrann in Omagh and “I love teaching in Irish Medium schools. jokingly. Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh in Strabane, There is just something about the “That was special,” says Risteard. “We do along with the renewed impetus in the language itself, it’s a great spur to put a big emphasis on extra-curricular Gaelscoileanna in Derry, a new Irish children learning. activities, drama, music, sport and many Medium secondary nearer to Omagh “The young generation of teachers in this others. And to win an all-Ireland title was seems inevitable some time in the future. school, they are as passionate and just fantastic for everyone.” However minimalist expectations for Irish enthusiastic and capable as I and my When visiting the school and announcing Medium Education in Omagh have been fellow teachers were when we started off that the Department was to invest in a in the past, no one expects anything but 20 years ago. new building for Gaelscoil na gCrann, more growth and significant development “They’re great. They believe in IME, in then Minister John O’Dowd commented: for IME in years to come. their vocation. “This school has flourished as a result of “There is a a growing demand for IME in strong leadership and community “They put in incredibly long hours and Omagh for sure,” says Risteard Mac involvement.” they are an inspiration. So I do think IME Daibhéid, Vice-Principal of Gaelscoil na here is safe in their hands.” That was a formula for success in the past. gCrann. “We are lucky to have a lot of really great schools in the Omagh area But the Strabane man does have some And undoubtedly it will be a formula for and Gaelscoil na gCrann is one of them. pedigree when it comes to all-Ireland titles. success in the future.

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Coláiste Feirste Belfast An environment to match its ambitions

Upbeat is a default setting at Coláiste Feirste. “And the very strong school community. And they have a lot of reasons to be upbeat. “We value every child. We make them aware of that. We make them aware that they have The latest £16.5m capital investment in something very valuable to contribute, new buildings, classrooms and stunning sports facilities has left Coláiste Feirste with “And the thing that most unites us all is a first class school campus. actually the Irish language. It’s a milestone moment, giving the school “There is an extra edge to an IME school the facilities and environment to match its because of the language itself as an ambitions. educational tool and as the normal language of communication.” Adding even further to the attraction of a school which since the day it opened in Academically, Coláiste Feirste matches or 1991 with nine children has seen pupil exceeds the standards in similar English- numbers increase year on year to the point medium schools. that it now has 650 pupils. In particular achievements in GCSE Maths, There is such demand for places at Coláiste English and Gaeilge are consistently well Coláiste Feirste is a co-educational, non- Feirste that in the near future they will above the three-year average for similar denomonational school which caters for open a satellite in North Belfast, bringing schools. pupils of all abilities. post-primary IME to that part of the city The school also has an excellent reputation for the first time. The most up-to-date techonology is used for drama and art, for sport, for media in classrooms where pupils are taught the A reflection of the high esteem in which studies and for wider cultural activities. full curriculum to A-level, from Science Coláiste Feirste and its educational model is Children with learning difficulties benefit and Maths to Home Economics. held. from specific IME support strategies Class sizes are kept at between 25-30 as “The numbers keep growing and they are through the school’s innovative Learning Irish Medium works best in a language- a confirmation of the confidence which the Support Centre. rich immersion context. community has in us,” says Principal Garaí Alongside all of this Coláiste Feirste is Mac Roibéaird. “Our aim,” says Garaí Mac Roibéaird, “is situated in the burgeoning Gaeltacht to develop highly educated and confident “The new buildings, the excellent academic Quarter, an area which has seen continuing young people who have excellent choices results, the community involvement in the investment and increasing profile, with the in life. school and their use of school facilities, emphasis on promoting jobs and enterprise these are all elements which have helped for Irish speakers. “When I started here in 1994 I wanted to the school succeed and will continue to be part of the ‘ideal’ IME school. As the Irish language community continues help us as we move to the next phase,” he to grow former pupils of Coláiste Feirste “I used to discuss with others what such a added. are in leadership roles in Cultúrlann school should look like. “The governors have also been central to McAdam Ó Fiaich, in Raidió Fáilte, in Glór “Now looking around us today, I know the success story. na Móna, in Gael Ionad Mhic Goill, in what that ‘ideal’ IME school would look like. Conradh na Gaeilge, in An Dream Dearg and many other organisations and groups. “It would look like Coláiste Feirste.”

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Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin North Belfast The North Wind blows...

The ‘Beast from the East’ closed the school for a few days. But then only something totally “For almost 20 years we were in It came from the hard work and energy exceptional could make the children of accommodation in Wyndham Drive which and sheer willpower of parents and Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin in North was clearly unsuitable as the school teachers and the wider community. Belfast miss school. numbers increased. “Alongside the constant and crucial They love their school! They loved Bunscoil “Even so, we had a great school with support of Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta Bheann Mhadagáin even when they were in great spirit, with high standards and with and Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta. That cramped, ageing classrooms in their old happy, well-educated children. energy is still needed, still there, and you school building at Wyndham Drive. “Now on our new site we have the can see its impact in the increasing Then they were ‘bowled over’ in 2016 opportunity, with enhanced facilities, to numbers of parents in North Belfast who when they moved to their five new-build improve things even more.” are choosing IME. Maith iad.” classrooms on the old Cricket Ground at Cliftonville Road, where they also share Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin was set up in Máire herself watched the start of IME in floodlit 3G pitches with local sports clubs. 1994 in an old Church of Ireland building North Belfast from the sidelines. Yee-hah! at Wyndham Drive. “I was at school at the time Naíscoil Ard The nursery school, the naíscoil, which has It took almost two decades of Eoin was set up in 1984. Even then I had statutory status since 2012, is now campagining before the school was given knew I wanted to be a teacher. oversubscribed. And such is the demand for its new site. “When I was at school I was very IME in the area that the Department has On a dark winter day in December 2015 influenced by my Irish teachers, Brid agreed to allow the Bunscoil to increase its pupils waved ‘slán’ to their old school and Lynsey and Nuala McGrath. They really first year intake. With 163 pupils at the walked to their bright new spacious inspired my love for the language. So I Bunscoil and Naíscoil at present, and with classrooms a mile or so away. had good role models.” that number to increase this autumn, plans to add new classrooms are afoot. “They went into the new school with As do the children of Bunscoil and cheers and clapping ringing in their ears Naíscoil Bheann Mhadagáin as they get And plans are well advanced to open a as parents and locals gathered to give excited not only about life at their school satellite school of Coláiste Feirste in North them a ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’,” says Máire. but the expectation that when it’s time Belfast in the near future. to go to secondary school they’ll be “And that was fitting as parents and the “Our children and our community deserve going up the road rather than across wider community have and will always the very best education, care and facilities town to Coláiste Feirste in West Belfast. play a key role in this school. and that is what we are giving them,” says The first generation from North Belfast Máire Uí Éigeartaigh, Principal of Bunscoil “And indeed in the development of IME to ever do so. At nursery, primary, and Bheann Mhadagáin. in North Belfast.” secondary level, Irish Medium Education in “We have seen a significant increase in It was those parents who made a brave North Belfast is now firmly set on a brighter enrolment since we moved to the new school. decision in 1984 to send their children to and better future. Naíscoil Ard Eoin who started it all off. “There is no doubt, buildings are And it will take a lot more than the important. But what happens inside the “The growth since that first Naíscoil has been ‘Beast from the East’ to steer it off buildings is also very important. tremendous but it didn’t happen accidentally. course!

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Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh Strabane Maidin mhaith daoibh

Greeting children at the school gate is still “But the standard of education in this a highlight of her day for Máire Ní school, whether in the new buildings or Dhochartaigh, principal of Gaelscoil Uí the old, was, is and will be excellent.’ Dhochartaigh in Strabane. Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh opened in 1997 Tapping into their energy, enthusiasm and with four pupils and one teacher, building positivity is always a real fillip. on the success of Naíscoil an tSratha Báin which had opened in 1994 and had shown She does though have a lot more of them clearly the demand for IME in Strabane. to greet nowadays, with over 170 pupils in Gaelscoil and Naíscoil compared to just Having been teaching there since 1999, four when the school first opened in Máire has seen many highlights. 1997! 2010 was a seminal year for the school as While the intake of children has been for the first time the Naíscoil came in with “Everyone can play a role here in increasing steadily year on year, the the Gaelscoil. Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh.” numbers are expected to surge even further In 2013 Minister for Education John A few years back the school performed when Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh moves to a O’Dowd visited and the Department ‘An Béal Bocht’, a stage version of the new £3m brick-build seven-classroom school confirmed that the school would be best-selling book by one of Strabane’s on a site on Strahan Road. getting a new building and site. most famous sons, Flann O’Brien, Brian Plans for the development are in their O’Nolan, Myles na gCopaleen. 2016 was another really special year for final stages, with expectation that the school. They paid tribute to another of workers will get the go-ahead soon. Strabane’s famous sons the year the They celebrated their 20th anniversary. “The move has been delayed a few times Gaelscoil opened. And celebrated great results in GCSEs. but we’re near to it now,” says Máire. Gearalt Ó Dochartaigh was a Conradh na “We’ve had bigger waits for things in 13 pupils sat the exams, scoring 6As and Gaeilge stalwart who from the 1940s times past so we just keep focused on the 7A*s. onwards cycled the towns of Tyrone here and now.” teaching Irish and helping promote the There are always things to celebrate at She will be sad to leave their neighbours GAA. Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh! in Ballycolman estate who, along with When Strabane got its Gaelscoil in 1997 it “This is an Irish Medium school of course, Cumann Mhic Shíogair, have been was fittingly named in his honour. fantastic — but the links will always be but it’s also a community school,” says there. Máire. And undoubtedly he and Flann O’Brien are both looking down with pride on “We are so lucky to have such a great PTA, “The new school will certainly be more Strabane today, marvelling at how their so many parents and others from the comfortable, more modern and spacious, home town is now a hub not just for Irish wider community whose volunteer work and easier in many respects for the Medium Education but for the Irish has been crucial. So many people who teachers and the pupils. language. have collected money, organised events, “It will also increase our profile more than helped inform people about the school Leading the way! ever before. and Irish Medium Education. 9 ION 2018 NEW 2:Layout 1 04/06/2018 18:44 Page 10

Naíscoil Aodha Dhuibh Carryduff Carryduff - Ready for Irish Medium Education...

That’s been the opinion of Stephanie Haughey since she was a young girl growing up there, frustrated that she couldn’t go to a Naíscoil or Gaelscoil locally. And in September next year Naíscoil Aodha So she determined to make sure that her Dhuibh, the first IME nursery school in own child and others should have the choice Carryduff, will open its doors. of IME in Carryduff in the future. Gaelscolaíochta. We have also been in “It’s tremendous news,” says Stephanie. “And contact with Bunscoil an Droichead, who And as Chairperson of the committee to set to top it all we got confirmation from have pioneered IME in South Belfast, and up an IME school in Carryduff, Gaelscoil Iontaobhas, the IME funding body, that they they are delighted to see Carryduff make Aodha Dhuibh, Stephanie and fellow will be funding the refurbishment of the unit our first move towards providing IME.” committee members and supporters have for the Grúpa Súgartha so that it can be open been very busy for the last year. this September.” And of course Gaelscoil Aodha Dhuibh have also the example of more than 80 They have been organising fundraising The name of the Committee, Gaelscoil schools in the North who have already events, inviting among others Linda Ervine Aodha Dhuibh, confirms that their ultimate successfully travelled the path they are to come and talk about ‘Hidden History, aim is to set up a Gaelscoil, an IME primary setting out on. Protestants and the Irish Language.’ school, in Carryduff. And based on good practice in other areas which have successful There is no one template for a successful They have been canvassing locally to try and IME schools, they’ll do it in stages. Irish Medium school. gauge demand for an IME school in Carryduff. “To be able to start the Grúpa Súgartha this Some are bigger, some are smaller, some year, just a year since the committee came take a long time to cross the line, some a And encouraged by a great response to that together, is a great boost,” says Stephanie. short time. canvass they have been searching for a suitable location for a new school. “There are great schools in Carryduff and in But there is one element common to every the future we want Gaelscoil Aodha Dhuibh school that succeeds. May 2018 brought not only an early to be one of them. So we will start with the summer but an early Christmas for the A dynamic committee made up of caring Grúpa Súgartha in the autumn, the Naíscoil committee when they secured a suitable and committed parents and supporters. next year and we’ll take the next step from location. there. But we have a very capable and And Gaelscoil Aodha Dhuibh has that in This autumn an Grúpa Súgartha, an IME dynamic committee, a really good response spades. Parents and Toddlers Group, will open in from the public and the backing of For more information about Gaelscoil McKibben House on the East Bank Road. Iontaobhas and Comhairle na Aodha Dhuibh go to their Facebook page. 10 ION 2018 NEW 2:Layout 1 04/06/2018 20:48 Page 11

Gaelscoil na mBeann Kilkeel One round or two?

If only Niall Loughran could make toast he’d be the perfect teacher! Or that’s what some of his pupils think. Newry man Niall, Principal of Gaelscoil na mBeann in Kilkeel Co. Down, greets the children each morning at the Club Bricfeasta, the Breakfast Club. which includes both bilingualism and an But can he make toast right? Iontaobhas na excellent quality of Gaelscolaíochta and Dá bhfeicfeá é! education.” Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta. Even so Niall and the other teachers at ConradhnaGaeilgeintheMournesarea The two organisations which from 2001 Gaelscoil and Naíscoil na mBeann must be has been central to the success of have been working to promote and doing something right. Gaelscoil na mBeann, as also has been support Irish Medium schools. the Gaelscoil’s links to other IME schools For the school is doing great! With their help the school was able to in the wider area. Since the Naíscoil was set up in 2007 and progress further, quicker, better. “Newry has its Bunscoil and Naíscoil as the Bunscoil in 2010 they have steadily “It was hard at the start particularly,” says well as Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail, the Irish enhanced their reputation and the Niall. language cultural centre,” says Niall. number of pupils. “Parents would send their children to the “In Castlewellan you have Bunscoil and Having started with four children, there Naíscoil but some might have baulked a Naíscoil Bheanna Boirce. You also have are now more than 80 pupils between little at sending them on to the Gaelscoil. Glór Uachtar Tíre and a whole range of Gaelscoil and Naíscoil, and the numbers Irish language social activities. In are growing each year. “They waited to see how things went. Annalong you have Páirc na Mara. In 2013 Minister John O’Dowd opened ‘But when they got good reports back “So Kilkeel isn’t out on the edge, it’s new accommodation for Gaelscoil and about the Gaelscoil they made up their bang centre in the middle of all this Naíscoil na mBeann on a site in town, minds and came on board. activity.” beside the local High School. “Word of mouth was a crucial factor.” Living in the shadows of the Mournes, It’s an ideal site for a school which draws And he continues: “Your child’s education is the Gaels of Boirche Íochtar are used to about 40% of pupils from Kilkeel and one of the most important decisions you will scaling heights. about 60% from the surrounding areas. make in your life so I understand parents But Gaelscoil na mBeann has still a ridge And alongside the steady progress at nursery think really hard before choosing a school. to go before they get to the summit. and primary level, second-level education in “And that’s why we are elated that so Irish is also on offer at St Malachy’s High Says Niall: “We are on a great site at many are choosing Gaelscoil and Naíscoil School in nearby Castlewellan. present and in the short term it’s all good. na mBeann.’ But we haven’t had certainty yet about the Gaelscoil na mBeann are in a good place But it isn’t only about numbers, says Niall. long-term future of the site and we’d love both metaphorically and physically. It’s about the quality of education and the to get that cleared up soon. It’s quite a turnaround from a few years benefits of IME. “We’ll be talking to the Department in back when accommodation was “Having two languages at an early age; the the coming months and we’re confident inadequate, Department recognition was small class sizes, the relationships built it’ll work out. still a way off and the school was situated through having pupils call teachers by their on a mountainside, quite a bit out of town. “We’ve had a lot of challenges in this first name, a child becoming comfortable school over the years. And we’ve ‘Get off the mountain’ was a good bit of with diversity from an early age. overcome them all.” advice. “All these and many other benefits of IME Well, almost all. Another was ‘phone a friend’, or in this are well documented and I think that they case two friends. speak to parents who want an option If only he could learn how to make toast! 11 ION 2018 NEW 2:Layout 1 04/06/2018 18:44 Page 12

Gaelscoil Éanna Glengormley Don’t say it, do it! Ná habair é You need to be patient if Déan é! you want to talk to Maighréad Ní Chongaile, Principal of Gaelscoil Éanna. Situtated in Glengormley on the northern approaches of Belfast, Gaelscoil Éanna is one of the fastest growing schools in the North. You want to talk to Maighréad about the past 10 years, about the fact that Gaelscoil Éanna has gone from a Portakabin with 12 children and a single teacher to a well-respected school in four modern modular classrooms accommodating over 185 pupils. Oops, that’s 211 pupils if you include the naíscoil, which now has statutory status and is fully subscribed for the next year. Maighréad insists she will talk about the past 10 years in a while but for now her The way they help mind is focused on the next 10 years. raise the extra Planning for the new seven-classroom money needed to school with all mod cons which is on its supplement the school way. She wants to talk too about the new budget. community hall being built by the GAA And she mentions again club which has been so integral to the the unstinting help from success of Gaelscoil Éanna, that is St St Enda’s GAA. Enda’s GAA. She points out for you, just in case you’re She is enthused about the role the school a bit slow, the difference local people community can play in the new hall with have made. plans to expand the already very extensive Irish cultural activities of Croí Tells you about the nights in mid-winter Éanna – music, dance, language, sport, rapping thousands of doors telling history. people about IME, about the ‘fáilte mhór’ they got on the doorstep and Oh, and did she mention the new Wrap- about the increasing number of parents Around Service, with supervised activities who opt for Gaelscoil Éanna. for the pupils from 8am until 6pm? You give it a last try — get her to follow That default position of being You try to ask her about her own your script! upbeat and getting on with doing contribution to the success story which is rather than just talking. Gaelscoil Éanna. Why is IME doing so well in this area? Speaking of which, she has to help She tells you instead about Donna Ní The same reason the Irish language is organise the event in Belfast Mhealláin who was the first teacher at the doing so well in Belfast she says. Castle to celebrate 10 years of school and is now in charge of the naíscoil. Ná habair é, déan é — don’t say it, do it. Gaelscoil Éanna. She wants to talk about the governors, It’s an attitude which was exemplified by So, rather than just talking about some of whom have been there from the those who set up Pobal Bhóthar Seoighe it... very start 10 years ago, and yet today are and the first Bunscoil. working away with the same energy and Off she goes. vision they had back then. The parents, And it’s an attitude adopted by many the volunteers. Irish speakers in North Belfast, she says. Ná habair é, déan é! 12 ION 2018 NEW 2:Layout 1 04/06/2018 20:49 Page 13

Bunscoil an Traonaigh Lisnaskea A growing voice

Like many good things it started with a Which brings its own challenges. A visit to a local supermarket to childish voice. understand how Fair Trade works. One being pressure on space. Twelve of them actually. Dressing up as characters from literature As they wait for the green light to move for International Book Day. Answering the roll call. from their present site at Drumbrughas North to their new site in the grounds of the On a treasure hunt. In Irish and in English. old Lisnaskea High School, a move which will Taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Finding their voice in two languages give them a lot more space, Iontaobhas na rather than just one. Gaelscolaíochta is providing an extra double- Out on a nature walk modular classroom. The start of a great adventure! And running in Rith 2018, an all-Ireland And the Iontaobhas will continue to running event for IME schools. In September 2004 those 12 pupils of support the school until relocation. Bunscoil an Traonaigh in Lisnaskea When Rith 2018 came to Fermanagh it chalked up a first for Fermanagh. For Principal at Bunscoil an Traonaigh, was the children of Bunscoil an Traonaigh Sorcha Ní Mhurchú, the emphasis is very who got to carry the race baton when it They were the first pupils in the first class firmly on the present. came to Lisnaskea. in the first Bunscoil ever in Fermanagh. “We keep focused on the children, on Inside the baton a message from the Nowdays 16 childish voices answer the our normal daily school activities,” says President, an tUachtarán Michael D roll call in Rang 1. Sorcha.“Movingtoanewsitewillbea Higgins, saluting Irish speakers for the But they are no longer a solitary class. great tonic when it happens but great strides they have made in wherever we are sited we have promoting the language. FromRang1toRang7afullchorusof wonderful children and teachers, almost 70 voices answer the roll call each It could well have been a personal message fantastic support from the wider morning. to the kids of Bunscoil an Traonaigh who community, and a great school spirit. have been carrying the baton for Irish A sign of the times. “The present is great and yes the future Medium Education in Of the popularity of the Bunscoil and of will be even better.” Fermanagh with the continuing growth of IME, Irish confidence for more Their Facebook page tells the story of Medium Education. than 10 years now. Bunscoil an Traonaigh. And aren’t At a time when many schools are Smiling children and lots of activities. about to slow suffering a drop in numbers, Bunscoil an their pace Traonaigh is kicking the trend. Pupils being interviewed at the Balmoral anytime Show by TG4. Their numbers, like those in most IME soon! schools, continue to increase. Hushed children listening to a talk on townland names.

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