Mol an Óige agus Tiocfaidh Siad – What a Seachtain na Gaeilge in Pres Castleisland

Principal Pierce Dargan with Amanda Gleasure who sang Amhrán na bFíann and past pupil and former Irish rugby team captain, Ciara Griffin who raised the tricolour to signify the closure of Seachtain Na Gaeilge at Presentation Castleisland before the St. Patrick’s weekend break: ©Photograph: John Reidy

Waiting for the break and celebrating the end of a great Seachtain na Gaeilge at Presentation Castleisland were from left: Annie Moriarty, Áine Murphy, Bláthnaid Casey, Nora Ann Hartnett and Mya Griffin. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Dancers for a Day: Teachers at Presentation Castleisland celebrating their final school day of Seachtain na Gaeilge on Wednesday. Included are: front from left: Karen Finnegan, Mairéad Lane, Deirdre O’Brien and Claire Kenny. Second row from left: Tracey Dooley, Rebecca Nagle, Ailish O’Connor, Anne Laurent, Monica Murphy, Katie O’Reilly, Dayna Hurley, Yvonne O’Kelly and Shellagh Moloney. Third row: Marita O’Sullivan, Martina Dairo, Elaine O’Shea and Annette Leen. Back from left: Pierce Dargan, principal; Batt O’Donnell and Kevin Moore. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Ava Brosnan (left) pictured with: Ellie Mitchell, Michelle Myers and Erin Mitchell celebrating Deireadh Seachtain na Gaeilge at Presentation Castleisland on Wednesday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Celebrating the success of Seachtain na Gaeilge in Presentation Castleisland were from left: Laura McShane, Saoirse Daly, Evelyn McElligott and Kirstin O’Connor. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Seachtain na Gaeilge was more than just a cúpla focail in Pres from the 9th to the 16th March with this year’s motto: Cleachtadh a dhéanann máistreacht or Practice makes perfect.

It is fair to say that the promotion of Gaeilge and an chultúr Gaelach wasn’t confined to ranganna Gaeilge.

The week started ar nós na gaoithe with ‘La na greamáin’-sticker day. You could be forgiven for thinking Pres was a Gaelcholáiste as class groups battled it out to earn a prize for the most gremáin for talking Irish.

Dusting off the Cúpla Focal

Staff dusted off their old Leaving Cert Irish oral books and also got awarded stickers for their efforts by the students.

Much to their disgust, Muinteorí Gaeilge were disqualified from this event!

Giving us a flavour of the events of the week muinteoir Gaeilge, Annette Leen said that every day there was a whole school competition.

“This was called Cad é/Cé hé on the intercom where clues were given as Gaeilge for everyone to figure out who or what students were talking about.

Amhrán Gaeilge

“A kahoot quiz for first and second years brought out the competitive nature in all involved followed by an amhrán Gaeilge to send us all home ag canadh on Friday.

The strong Sliabh Luachra traditions of ceol agus rince were not neglected. The school traditional music group entertained at lunch time and students had a ceardlann rince in the school hall where students learned the Cor beirte and Fallai Luimní.

“International students were taught the cúpla focail and many could be heard practicing their Irish in the days that followed.

Insight Into Irish Traditions

They are delighted to be able to take this insight into Irish traditions back to their native countries at the end of their stay with us.

“Other activities included seanfhocal an lae, pop up Gaeltacht and teaching dogs to suigh síos! The climax of the week was the whole school rince Gaelach in the yard on Wednesday 16^th.

“In keeping with the motto for the week students practiced in PE classes and staff practiced after school in the days leading up to the event culminating in a showcase which could have been mistaken for Riverdance!

Sliabh Luachra Musicians

“Music was provided by local Sliabh Luachra traditional musicians: Con Moynihan, Denis O’ Connor and Anne Mc Auliffe along with music teacher Deirdre O’Brien and members of the Pres trad group.

“Former Presentation student and Ireland rugby captain Ciara Griffin visited the school and raised the Irish flag while Amhrán na bhFiann was beautifully sung by first year student Amanda Gleasure.

“Our plans are already being formed for a bigger and better Seachtain na Gaeilge next year. Go mbeirimid go léir beo ar an am seo arís,” arsa Ms. Leen cun deireadh.

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