Tá an-áthas orainn Seachtain na Gaeilge a cheiliúradh agus cuid de na tograí spreagúla Gaeilge ar bronnadh an Séala Eorpach Teanga orthu roimhe seo a chur ar taispeáint. Dympna Barrett ó CLG Baile na nGallóglach a chuir an méid seo leis. Is í Dympna comhordaitheoir “Ag Treabhadh an Ghoirt ar son na Gaeilge” ar tionscadal é ar bronnadh an Séala Eorpach Teanga air sa bhliain 2022.
Exploring Irish Language, Culture and Music With Milford GAA Club During Covid Lockdown
We are delighted to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge and showcase some of the inspiring Irish language projects that were previously awarded the European Language Label. This is a contribution from Dympna Barrett from Milford GAA. Dympna is the coordinator of “Ag Treabhadh an Ghoirt ar son na Gaeilge “, a project that was awarded the European Language Label in 2022.
During the second major lockdown of COVID-19 in 2021, the language and culture officer of the Milford GAA club started Irish language classes on line for adults who were interested and who wished to add to their knowledge of Irish.
It was an open invitatiion for local people and for people outside the area to log on and attend virtually. The classes continued weekly until April 2022. As we all remember, the lockdowns made for a bleak time in our lives. Normal events were put on hold. These classes therfore made for light relief.
Every week we explored a different theme. The participants learnt different aspects of the particular theme, between language, culture and music. Guest speakers from the area joined us often on line, regaling the participants with different pieces of information relating to local history, folklore and more besides. Live music and singing were also a regular part of the class, provided by the participants themselves or guest musicians.
The classes were always informative, interesting and fun. We used the break-out rooms on line also to give a chance for informal conversations between participants. The experience of the classes impacted very favourably as it allowed some light relief from the pandemic. Even more importantly, the classses fulfilled an ambition for people to return to Irish – our ancient language which we value greatly. It is worth mentioning the age range of the participants – from those in their late teens to those in their eighties.
Not only did these classes create an opportunity for people to learn Irish in an informal manner, they provided a further challenge in using technology in order to be able to attend virtually. As a final work, this experience was hugely satisfying for everyone who participated. It was a win-win situation, for sure. This experience encouraged and motivated people to continue practising and speaking their Irish in other groups and situations. It allowed people ignite their passion for the Irish language once again.