Gaeltacht UCD Report, September 2019

Home , Cumann Gaelach, Oireachtas na Gaeilge

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20

Special Provision for the Support of the Irish Language 2019 Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, University College Dublin Report on Activities, September 2019 to August 2020 www.ucd.ie/bnag

Project 1 Irish Language Courses for UCD Students and Employees o Irish Language Courses o Irish Language Yoga Course

Project 2 Irish Language Cultural Program o Fonn, Steip & Ceoil o Cultúr na Céadaoine

Project 3 Teach na Gaeilge 2019-2020: Irish Language Student Residential Scholarship Scheme o Residential Scholarship Competition, Orientation, Training o Accredited Module o Meantóirí Theach na Gaeilge, Alumni Mentoring Scheme o Fiche Bliain ag Fás- 20th Anniversary celebration o Student Activities o Gradaim Ghaeltacht UCD 2020/ Online Student Awards

Project 4 Gaeltacht UCD Engagement o Local Engagement o ‘Spórt & Spraoi le Gaeltacht UCD’ o National Engagement o International Engagement

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20

Project 5 Translation and Advisory Service o Translation Project o Facilitation of University’s compliance with language legislation o 2019 Signage Review

Project 6 Irish Language Promotional Activities o Publications o Website & Social Media o Irish Language Media o Sponsorship

University Support o Structure, Management and Administration

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20

Overview Gaeltacht UCD, UCD’s Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, actively promotes the use of the Irish language and its associated culture in University College Dublin. The Center’s projects include language courses, cultural activities, a residential scholarship scheme and a summer school, in addition to a translation and advisory service which facilitates the University in its compliance with Irish-language legislation. Throughout 2019-20, Gaeltacht UCD’s projects continued to flourish thus contributing to the preservation, maintenance and promotion of the Irish language.

Gaeltacht UCD’s core activity, the provision of Irish language courses for all UCD students and employees, continued to attract learners from beginner to advanced levels from across the University. In 2019-20 the center further developed its cultural program with the initiatives Fonn, Steip & Ceoil UCD 2019 and Cultúr na Céadaoine 2020 which provided additional opportunities for Irish language speakers and learners to actively engage with the language while sharing Ireland’s rich culture and traditions with the University’s global community.

Teach na Gaeilge; Gaeltacht UCD’s’s Irish language student residential scholarship scheme, has attracted high achieving students from both Gaeltacht and Galltacht areas to the University since 2000 and is recognized as an example of best practice in language maintenance. In 2020 Gaeltacht UCD hosted the event Fiche Bliain ag Fás which celebrated the 20th anniversary of the founding of this scheme. The event further strengthened links between the University and its former scholars many of whom continue to play an active role within Saol na Gaeilge, the wider Irish speaking community.

Gaeltacht UCD engages with Irish-language speaking communities locally, nationally and internationally. In July 2020, Tionól Gaeilge UCD, the Center’s International Irish Language Summer School was held for a 4th consecutive year. Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the 2020 Tionól was delivered online. This event, in its new digital format developed for 2020, once again attracted both national and international participants, engaging Irish-language learners from across the Island of Ireland, mainland Europe, North America and South Africa.

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20

Gaeltacht UCD facilitates the University in its compliance with Irish-language legislation; the 1997 Universities Act and the Official Languages Act 2002. In 2019-’20 the Center continued to provide a translation and advisory service for all UCD schools, colleges and units. It was in regular communication with language officers and directors throughout the civil and public service, in Universities on the Island of Ireland as well as with minority language practitioners abroad.

Throughout 2019-’20, Gaeltacht UCD’s on-campus activities proved successful in cultivating an Irish-language community which supported students, employees and alumni. The Center’s online presence and digital developments expanded the Center’s reach globally, thus bringing the best of the world to Ireland and the best of Ireland and its distinct cultures to the world.

Project 1 Irish Language Courses for UCD Students and Employees http://www.ucd.ie/bnag/en/informationoncourses/

Irish Language Courses Gaeltacht UCD Irish language learners are at the core of the University’s diverse Irish- language speaking community. Learners comprise both employees and students and the positive engagement between learners, tutors and facilitators facilitates the smooth running of many other Irish language activities. During 2019-2020, the Centre offered language tuition at levels A1, A2, B1 & B2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) and registered a total of 300 learners; 126 in semester 1 and 174 in semester 2 with a further 50 at its summer school, Tionól Gaeilge UCD, July 2020. All learners are requested to complete an on-line placement test before choosing their language level: https://www.ranganna.com/tastail.aspx?id=2&lang=en. The Center employed 8 qualified tutors, experienced in adult education, on a part-time basis, to facilitate delivery of its 2019- ‘20 courses and a specific training course in the Gaeltacht UCD teaching materials was

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20 provided to all tutors on its teaching panel. Learners included both students and staff. A total of 50% of learners were registered on UCD’s Erasmus, Study Abroad (USA) or Non-EU exchange programs. Courses were offered at 4 levels in September 2019 and again in January 2020. Questionnaires were distributed to all learners at the end of each course and the center was satisfied with the feedback received. Both Irish and international Gaeltacht UCD learners can be heard commenting on their learning experience: http://www.ucd.ie/bnag/en/videos/

The greatest demand for courses is at level A1 (CEFR). In 2018- ‘19, further to the distribution of an invitation to tender, Gaeltacht UCD invested in the design of new course materials at this level. In September 2019, the design of a new 20-unit course was completed and tutors completed training in its delivery. The new course was very well received by the 2019-2020 learners.

Irish Language Yoga Course http://www.ucd.ie/bnag/en/services/yoga/ Lunchtime yoga in Irish was offered in trimesters 1 and 2 in association with the company Óga Yoga. The course was held in the UCD Sports Centre and was attended by UCD employees, undergraduate and postgraduate students. The course was very well-attended, and Gaeltacht UCD was very pleased with the high quality of the language component. The yoga in Irish course contributes to the University’s initiatives Healthy UCD and UCD Culture and Engagement. Feedback from the participants (26 in total) was positive and it is hoped to offer the course again in September 2020 while respecting new health guidelines.

Project 2 Irish Language Cultural Program Learners registered on the Gaeltacht UCD courses are offered a program of social and cultural activities which accompany their language courses. The 2019-’20 activities included dance workshops, traditional music recitals and social events and were open to all students and employees in trimesters 1 and 2.

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20

Fonn, Steip & Ceoil UCD 2019 During 2019-2020, two new initiatives were founded the first of which was an event to promote the practice of the traditional arts; music song and dance, among 3rd level students. This initiative took the form of an intervarsity talent competition, Fonn, Steip & Ceoil UCD 2019, and was supported by Oireachtas na Gaeilge winners and TG4 presenters, Sibéal Davitt and Doireann Ní Ghlacáin. Gaeltacht UCD also worked in close cooperation with the student societies Cumann Gaelach UCD and UCD Trad Soc. Applicants from various educational institutions in Ireland as well as visiting students in UCD submitted videos for shortlisting and auditions were held on campus for the talent show. The company Meon eile recorded a video of the final event which can be viewed at: https://www.meoneile.ie/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=Fonn+Steip Fonn, Steip & Ceoil UCD 2019 was held though the medium of Irish and was attended by UCD students both Irish and international. It enhanced communication between Irish- speaking students on campus and international students who wished to learn more about the Irish language and culture.

Cultúr na Céadaoine 2020 The second cultural initiative began in 2020 as a pilot program and comprised a workshop held each Wednesday lunch time for a period of 6 weeks. Each workshop related to an aspect of the Irish language and culture and was facilitated by a Gaeltacht UCD tutor or scholar. Workshops were conducted through the medium of Irish or bilingually and attended by a combination of students and employees. The topics covered included Irish-language place names, Irish dance, Irish tin-whistle and traditional Irish song. Cultúr na Céadaoine also included the celebration of St Bridget’s Festival in February 2020. The St Bridget’s workshop was organized in cooperation with Cnuasach Béaloideas Éireann/ The National Irish Folklore Collection. Students learned about the traditions associated with this feast day in Ireland and crafted their own St Bridget’s cross. It is hoped to further develop the Cultúr na Céadaoine concept 2020-’21.

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20

Project 3 Teach na Gaeilge 2019-2020, Scholarship Residence Scheme, http://www.ucd.ie/bnag/en/irishlanguageresidencescheme

Residence Scheme Scholarship Competition

The Gaeltacht UCD Irish Language Student Residential Scholarship Scheme, Teach na Gaeilge UCD, was founded in 2000 with 4 scholars, this was increased to 16 in 2001 and 24 in 2010. Teach na Gaeilge continues to attract high-achieving students with many awarded Entrance Scholarships to the University. The 24 Teach na Gaeilge UCD scholarships for the year 2019-’20 were advertised in March 2019 in second-level schools nationwide (32 counties). The scholarships were also advertised in UCD Students’ Media, the Irish language media, at Oireachtas na Gaeilge 2019, on the UCD Scholarships website and via Gaeltacht UCD’s website and social media, http://www.ucd.ie/scholarships/. The 2019-‘20 scholars included traditional native speakers (from Gaeltacht areas), native speakers located outside the Gaeltachtaí, nua-chainteoirí (non-native fluent speakers from Galltacht areas), fluent speakers from Irish-language medium education and fluent speakers from English language medium education. The residence scheme scholars represented the University in the Irish language community nationally and internationally and succeeded in maintaining a balance between language maintenance and language promotion. Throughout the year they initiated a broad range of language projects including sporting, musical and literary events which involved the wider University community. The Gaeltacht UCD scholarship was documented on each student’s academic transcript and was recognized by UCD at its annual awards ceremony: Teach na Gaeilge Scholarship Competition 2020-’21. Gaeltacht UCD continuously reviews its residential scheme to ensure that it provides the supports most conducive to language maintenance and student engagement. The feedback from 2019-2020 scholars in exit surveys (June 2020) was positive and demand continued for the 2020-2021 competition. On 1 March 2020, the 2020-2021 Teach na Gaeilge scholarships were advertised. There was a total of 94 applicants for the 24 scholarships. There were 38 applications from continuing students, each of whom was interviewed online in June 2020

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20 and from which 12 candidates were selected. The remaining 56 applicants from prospective students -Leaving Certificate/A-Level or equivalent will be shortlisted and interviewed in August 2020 after CAO offers have been published and a further 12 scholars selected.

Orientation and Training Gaeltacht UCD organizes a specific orientation and training program through the medium of Irish and organizes regular meetings with the scholars as a group and individually throughout the academic year. The 2019-2020 program included 3 weekend courses; the first two taking place 6-8 September and 14-15 September 2019 and a third at the commencement of the second semester 17-18 January 2020. The courses consisted of guest lectures, workshops, social and cultural activities which were held both on and off campus. The first of these courses was held prior to the commencement of the teaching semester thus ensuring that Irish was the language of initial communication between participating scholars, in accordance with best practice in language preservation and maintenance. The purpose of the orientation was to enhance communication between the individual scholarship students, between the students and the broader University community and between the students and the broader Irish language community. Scholars were provided with information on the opportunities available to them and on their obligations under the scheme. The scheme’s alumni are central to the success of this project and planning sessions with Teach na Gaeilge alumni and mentors motivated new participants and provided guidance and support in the execution of the 2019-2020 projects. Representatives from UCD Students’ Union, Cumann Gaelach UCD, UCD Trad Soc and UCD Student Publications participated in the 2019- ‘20 orientation sessions as did Conradh na Gaeilge’s Comhordneoir na Mac Léinn (3rd level Student Coordinator).

Accredited Module In addition to non- accredited workshops, scholars have the opportunity to obtain academic credits for their activity through a specific Horizons Module Scileanna Cumarsáide (Communication Skills). Scileanna Cumarsáide, the academic module which was specifically designed for Teach na Gaeilge scholarship students, was offered for a 13th year in succession in September 2019. The module offered within UCD Horizons, was delivered by

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20 the Centre in association with Gaelchultúr Teoranta, Radio na Gaeltachta and UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Irish Folklore. It is accredited by the academic school. The module provided the students with the necessary skills to prepare, to edit and present a radio broadcast. Podcasts of the programs produced in 2019 can be heard on: http://www.ucd.ie/bnag/en/podcasts/. Residence scheme scholars are frequently interviewed by Radio na Gaeltachta, Radio na Life and Radio Fáilte on their language promotional activities, and the new skills acquired were put into practice during 2019-2020.

Meantóirí Theach na Gaeilge, Alumni Mentoring Scheme http://www.ucd.ie/bnag/en/teachnagaeilge/teachnagaeilgeucdalumni/ Background: Residence scheme alumni continue to play an important role in the development of the Gaeltacht UCD’s Irish language projects on campus and are encouraged to participate in whatever way possible. Further to the alumni event held in April 2015 to celebrate 15 years of the residence scheme a mentoring scheme was initiated in 2016. Since September 2016, Gaeltacht UCD has worked with alumni prior to the commencement of the academic year in designing a mentoring program. Mentors organize workshops for current scholars during orientation and throughout the year. Both mentors and mentees complete questionnaires during and again at the end of the mentoring period. In 2019-’20 the mentoring system provided additional support for scholars on campus while strengthening their links with the wider Irish-language community across a range of professions. National Irish-language events such as Oireachtas na Gaeilge and local events via Club Chonradh na Gaeilge serve to maintain contact between the Centre and its alumni. The founding of the new business network, ‘Borradh’ https://www.borradh.ie/, in March 2020, a network of which Gaeltacht UCD’s Director is a member, will further serve to maintain contacts between UCD Residence Scheme Alumni and connect them with the wider Irish-speaking community within and beyond their various professions.

Fiche Bliain ag Fás-20th Anniversary Celebration The UCD Irish Language Student Residence scheme celebrated its 20th anniversary with a celebratory event for current students and alumni. This event was held in January 2020 in the UCD University Club. UCD alumni were central to planning the celebration with meetings held in UCD in October and November 2019. The guests partook in various

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20 activities including games, a quiz, music and dance throughout the night. A total of 150 former scholars were in attendance with a number returning from abroad specifically for the celebration. Marking the anniversary served to connect current students with alumni and further strengthen the language. Photos of the event can be viewed at: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmKRpPvo

Student Activities Student lead Irish-language projects include a diverse range of activities based on individual scholars’ talents and interests. The freedom to work on a project of their choosing and the support provide by the Gaeltacht UCD to facilitate this, has led to a number of very successful projects which are now held annually and which involve contact with the wider community. Examples of annual projects which continued 2019-20 are listed below:

Comórtas Liathróid Láimhe UCD 2020, National Handball Competition For the 9th year in succession, Gaeltacht UCD hosted and supported this national handball competition organized by former Teach na Gaeilge scholars and world handball champions Clodagh Nash, UCD School of Mathematics and Statistics and Máirtín Ó Maolchiaráin, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science alumnus. The competition, held on 7 March 2020, was conducted bilingually and it attracted over 60 players of national and international renown. This was a family event held in cooperation with UCD Sports involving participants aged 7 to 70 from various handball clubs throughout the island of Ireland. UCD Handball Club’s Irish speakers represent the University at competitions from Inis Meán, Co Galway to the USA, connecting the University with the diaspora, through the native game.

Seachtain na Gaeilge 2020 In February 2020, Seachtain na Gaeilge UCD was organized by UCD Students’ Union, Cumann Gaelach UCD and Teach na Gaeilge, supported by Gaeltacht UCD. It involved a week of Irish language events including debating competitions in association with UCD Law Soc, and UCD St Vincent de Paul Society, language workshops for international students and a UCD/TCD football competition on Belfield campus. This year also saw the continuation of Lá na Gaeilge organized by the SU Irish Language Officer and Lá Nollaig organized by An Cumann Gaelach, November 2019.

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20

Oral Irish Language Workshops in local English-Medium Schools Further to a 2019-2019 student led initiative, in February 2020 Gaeltacht UCD residence scheme scholars were invited back by a number of local English-medium second level schools to deliver Irish language workshops for students, prior to the Leaving Certificate Irish language oral examinations. The workshops raised the students’ confidence in the spoken language and built relationships between current and prospective UCD students.

Rás UCD 2020 Rás UCD is a 5k bilingual road race held on UCD campus in which students, alumni, employees and members of the public participate. Founded in 2009 by Teach na Gaeilge scholar and UCD Volunteer Abroad, Dónal Ó hAnnrachtaigh (UCD School of Medicine alumnus), this annual competition is now organized by a number of partners:Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Teach na Gaeilge, UCD Cumann Gaelach, the UCD charity UCD Volunteers Oversees, UCDVO Soc. and UCD Culture and Engagement. Preparations were underway for the 2020 competition, the 11th instalment of the race, which was due to take place 4 April , http://www.ucdvo.org/events/rasucd/; however, due to the global pandemic and associated public health guidelines the competition has been postponed and is due to be rescheduled and/or reimagined in 2021.

In addition to the above, students continued to represent the university at national debating competitions and events sponsored by Gael Linn, Glór na nGael and Oireachtas na Gaeilge and partook in Irish-language campaigns organized by Conradh na Gaeilge (such as Gaeilge 24). On campus they held regular activities in association with UCD Reslife, UCD Global and UCD Global Lounge, for example workshops in name pronunciation, traditional instruments and GAA sports, all of which facilitated communication between Irish and visiting students.

Gradaim Ghaeltacht UCD 2020, Student Awards http://www.ucd.ie/bnag/en/bordnagaeilgeawards/ Gaeltacht UCD has seen the need to recognize the work and commitment of students, clubs and societies in the promotion of the language, hence the initiation of Gradaim Bhord na Gaeilge (Bord na Gaeilge Awards) in 2009. The year 2019-2020 was the 11th year of this successful initiative. Due to the covid 19 pandemic, Gradaim Ghaeltacht UCD 2020 was held

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20 online. Among the awards presented was that of Teach na Gaeilge Student Ambassador and recognition was given to societies outside of the Irish-speaking societies/clubs, which best promoted the language. Award recipients are chosen by student ballot in advance of the event. Contributions to the online event were made by student auditors, SU Irish Language Officer, the Gaeltacht UCD Mentoring Scheme Coordinator, Gaeltacht UCD Director and UCD Vice President for Global Engagement. A video of the event can be viewed at: https://www.ucd.ie/bnag/en/teachnagaeilge/gaeltachtucdawards/

Project 4 Gaeltacht UCD Engagement Local Engagement Throughout 2019-’20, Gaeltacht UCD continued to be actively engaged within the University in particular in activities associated with UCD Global and UCD Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. The Centre was represented on the ‘UCD in the Community’, ‘UCD Student Services’ and ‘UCD Culture and Engagement’ committees as well as UCD’s Multicultural Group (a UCD Equality Diversity and Inclusion Committee). The Director continues to be an active committee member of the ‘Multicultural Employee Network in UCD’ a network through which employees share their distinctive languages and cultures. In 2019, Gaeltacht UCD had a stand at the UCD Engage Fair at the UCD Global Fair for students and the UCD Postgraduate Welcome.

Spórt & Spraoi le Gaeltacht UCD new initiative In response to the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic in March 2020 and the subsequent recourse to remote working for University staff, Gaeltacht UCD provided a number of new online services to meet a demand from parents within the UCD community. This consisted of a series of 12 workshops in Irish-language activities for primary school children, now available online: https://www.ucd.ie/bnag/en/services/spoirtagusspraoilegaeltachtucd/ . The series was advertised via social media and video recordings made available on request.

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20

Requests were received from individuals as well as school principals and teachers from counties Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Cork and Kerry. The Centre also offered Irish language exercise programs in association with the company Óga Yoga., see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=UQ10nujaCsM&feature=youtu.be Both activities were later offered to the wider global community via UCD Festival, organized by UCD Alumni, 21-23 May 2020.

National Engagement Gaeltacht UCD is in regular contact with the national Irish-language community. In 2019-’21 it maintained contact with the 6 lead organizations within the Foras na Gaeilge All-island Partnership Forum; Glór na nGael, Gael-Linn, Conradh na Gaeilge, Cumann na bhFiann, Gaeloideachas and Oireachtas na Gaeilge. In addition to supporting meetings and events, the Centre’s Director is a member of the voluntary boards of 2 Irish-language organisations: Gael-Linn and Féile Imram. In November 2019, Gaeltacht UCD employees and alumni represented the University at the national Irish language and music festival Oireachtas na Gaeilge 2019:http://www.antoireachtas.ie/ where they engaged with the public, distributed promotional materials and held activities for children over a three-day period. This provided the Center with the opportunity to present its services to very many Irish-speaking families, principals and teachers of Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools and those working in the Irish-language sector. Approximately 60 UCD students participated in the various student events during Féile na Samhna 2019; the Oireachtas na Gaeilge festival.

Gaeltacht UCD staff are in regular communication with Irish language officers and directors throughout Ireland. They are actively involved in Cumann na nOifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge (the association of Irish language development officers in the public service) contributing to seminars and meetings in November 2019 and June 2020 (online). They hosted meetings of University Irish-language officers and directors on UCD campus (TCD, TU Dublin and NUIG) in December 2019 and continue to participate in regular meetings online.

Gaeltacht UCD regularly hosts various external groups on Belfield campus and during 2019- ’20 this included the Irish language walkers ‘Na Cnocadóirí’ who enjoy UCD Woodlands

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20

Walkways, local Gaelscoileanna who require competition venues and a HSE/ Údarás na Gaeltachta interview board.

International Engagement http://www.ucd.ie/bnag/en/internationalprogramme/ Gaeltacht UCD has developed cultural exchange programs with the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. It also designed and led a cultural program in Chang ‘an University, Xi ‘an China. In 2020, its global engagement centered around student engagement on campus in trimester 1 and online activity in trimester 2, in particular its Irish-Language Summer School which attracts participants globally.

Irish Language Summer School/Tionól Gaeilge UCD Gaeltacht UCD delivered its 4th intensive Summer School for adults, 29 June -1 July 2020. Tionol Gaeilge UCD, designed for adult learners of Irish, was first offered in 2017. Language courses were offered at 5 levels, lectures were held in the afternoon on various aspects of the Irish language and cultural events were organized in the evenings. Learners were accommodated on the UCD Belfield campus. Each year the school attracts between 60-80 participants from Irish-language communities in Ireland and abroad as well as members of the global community in Ireland. International participants travelled from the USA, Canada, China, South Africa, England and Scotland. Irish participants included employees from the public service, government departments, community networks as well as UCD faculty and professional staff.

Gaeltacht UCD’s 4th annual summer school was scheduled for July 2020 and was themed: ‘The Irish Language in a Global Context’ www.ucd.ie/bnag/en/ucdsummerschool. In addition to language tuition the schedule included interviews with guest speakers on topics such as, the Irish language in the age of social media, The Irish language in Canada, The Irish language in the media and the significance of the official status of the language in the EU. The full schedule can be viewed at: https://www.ucd.ie/bnag/en/services/gaeltachtucdsummerschool/ Due to the ongoing public health restrictions the school moved online with lessons conducted via zoom and interviews with guests via webinars. The school proved a success,

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20 attracting learners from partner universities in the Universitas 21 network and a number of participants returning for a 3rd or 4th time.

Project 5 Translation and Advisory Service Translation Project Background: Gaeltacht UCD, in cooperation with TCD and DIT (now TU Dublin), initiated an intervarsity project the aim of which was to source a common translation service catering specifically for the 3 institutes. Rannóg an Aistriúcháin (The Translation Section of the Houses of the Oireachtas) advised the 3 institutes on the implementation of this project. This common translation service has been in place since September 2010. The service has ensured expertise in the translation of University documents and has minimized the cost to each of the 3 institutes. In 2020 a new tender was sought and a new 12- month contract signed for translation services between UCD and TU Dublin.

During 2019-2020 demand for the Centre’s translation, in-house proofing services and advice on legislative requirements, continued to grow. Requests were received on a daily basis from various UCD schools, colleges, administrative units and libraries, primarily for signage, stationary and for websites but also for correspondence and pre-recorded oral announcements. During the past year, translations and in-house proofing were required to facilitate the work of a broad range of colleges, schools and units including, UCD IT Services, UCD Human Resources, UCD Library, UCD Alumni, UCD Freedom of Information and UCD Communications. The greatest demand came from UCD Estates due to the large quantity of temporary signage required for construction site hoardings, car parking arrangements and new buildings. The translation database of school and building names is continuously updated: http://www.ucd.ie/bnag/en/translationservice/.Gaeltacht UCD, in cooperation with UCD Communications, designed an electronic directory containing the Irish language version of academic titles, school and college titles as well as a listing of UCD faculty proficient in Irish. This resource aims to make the Irish language version of college and school titles more accessible to internal professional staff and faculty and to provide a

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20 database of Irish-speaking faculty for the Irish-language media nationally. The directory continues to be developed:http://www.ucd.ie/bnag/en/resources/

Facilitation of University’s Compliance with Legislation Gaeltacht UCD Director and Senior Executive Assistant attended seminars offered by the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga in preparation for the implementation of a new language bill .https://www.chg.gov.ie/app/uploads/2015/07/official-language-amendment-bill-2017- general-scheme-and-draft-heads-of-bill.pdf

2019 Signage Review In November 2019, the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga conducted a review of compliance in signage in a number of public bodies, including a number of universities. The office contacted UCD Legal to arrange a visit to Belfield campus with UCD Estates, a visit facilitated by Gaeltacht UCD. The Office of An Coimisinear Teanga communicated its findings to UCD Legal and UCD President’s Office. Gaeltacht UCD facilitated the translation of all communications.

Project 6 Irish Language Promotional Activities Publications Articles on Gaeltacht UCD events were published regularly in UCD internal publications such as UCD Today http://www.ucd.ie/ucdtoday/ and UCD Connections Alumni Magazine and E-zine https://alumni.ucd.ie/magazine-archive/ notices were placed regularly in UCD’s Staff and Student e-zines as well as on the UCD Connect electronic calendar. The Center’s activities also feature in Irish-language media; in Tuarascáil, the Irish Times, Tuairisc.ie (the primary Irish language newspaper) and in Seachtain (a supplement in the Irish Independent). Advertisements for language courses and internal schemes were published in UCD student media, UCD Observer and UCD College Tribune. See an example of a recent article on Tionól Gaeilge UCD: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tuarasc%C3%A1il/an-ghaeilge-i- gcomhth%C3%A9acs-domhanda-1.4289541?mode=amp

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20

Gaeltacht UCD continued to design various promotional materials throughout the year. Some of these were produced in hard copy for distribution while most were for electronic distribution. The 2019-2020 printed materials included flyers and posters on language courses, distributed in August 2019. In March 2020, leaflets on the 2020-2021 Residence Scheme were distributed to all second level schools nationwide. The Center worked closely with UCD Global and UCD All in advertising its language courses. Prior to the commencement of each round of courses, it rotated its pop- up stand within the various buildings on campus. Gaeltacht UCD produced a 2020 Academic Year Wall Planner for administrative offices outlining semester dates and Irish language events. A total of 30 copies were distributed to UCD students and staff. This publication replaced the Bord na Gaeilge diary.

Website and Social Media Gaeltacht UCD transferred their resources to the new UCD website format in 2018: www.ucd.ie/bnag and has a regular presence on social media including Twitter (2,786 followers), Facebook (1, 859 followers), and Instagram (1,495), cultivating and maintaining contacts with the global Irish-language community.

Irish Language Media Gaeltacht UCD Director was frequently interviewed on Raidió na Gaeltachta, Raidió Fáilte and Raidió na Life and was invited to join a number of discussion panels throughout the year. Interviews pertained to the Center’s own projects as well as other relevant university initiatives.

Sponsorship During 2019-2020 Gaeltacht UCD supported the use of the language by UCD schools, centers, units, student societies and clubs as well as at external Irish language events. It supported students registered for the Diploma in Applied Irish with UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies, Irish Folklore and Linguistics through part-sponsorship of students’ fees. The Centre supported student involvement in literature and journalism through its sponsorship of Duaiseanna Liteartha an Oireachtais (the national under-19 award for journalism section)

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20 including the most recent award ceremony in October 2019. The Centre also provided translation and proofing support to a number of Irish-language student journalists/bloggers.

University Support Structure, Management and Administration

Structure In June 2019, further to a comprehensive review, the unit founded in 1997 and previously known as Bord na Gaeilge UCD joined the UCD Global Engagement portfolio, placing it centrally in the University, under the direction of UCD’s Vice-President for Global Engagement. The unit has since been rebranded and named Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture. The year 2019-’20 was the first academic year since the restructure and rebrand, changes which brought the Center even closer to UCD’s vibrant student community and brought its services even closer to a wider global community.

Management and Administration Throughout 2019-’20 the Gaeltacht UCD office and its projects continued to be managed by one full-time Director and one full time Senior Executive Assistant. The post of Senior Executive Assistant supported by the special targeted initiative funding, has ensured the continuity and high standard of work undertaken as well as the range of projects offered to the University community. The University, and in particular the office of Vice-President for Global Engagement, continues to support each of the aforementioned projects.

During 2019-’20 with a full time staff of just 2 persons Gaeltacht UCD engaged with over 550 Irish-language speakers and learners, through 46 activities with organisations from the 32 counties of the island of Ireland and participants from 27 countries from the continents of Europe, Asia, Africa and America.

Gaeltacht UCD, UCD Global Centre for Irish Language and Culture, 2019-20

Gaeltacht UCD UCD Global Centre for Irish Langaue & Culture

University College Dublin

Income & Expenditure Account

01/09/2019 - 31/08/2020

€

Income

HEA Funding 150,000 Other Income 1,850 UCD Financing 83,225 Total Income 235,105

Expenditure

Staff & Tutors 166,719 General office expenditure 2,660 Projects

Language Courses for UCD Students & Employees 19,299 Teach na Gaeilge 19/20: Irish Language Residence Scheme 32,406 Gaeltacht UCD Engagement 4,344 Translation & Advisory services 3,050 Irish Language Promotions 6,627 Total Expenditure 235,105