cairde teo

Tá Gaeilgeoirí óga in Ard Mhacha ar chipíní go fóill i ndiaidh rath an champa samhraidh is mó Gaeilge sa chathair. D’eagraigh CAIRDE Teo, comhar Gaeilge sa chathair, d’eagraigh siad Campa Mhacha ag Ionad Eamhain Mhacha ar na mallaibh agus d’fhreastail beagnach 90 páistí ó ghaelscoileanna an cheantair ar an ochtú campa dá leithéid a eagraíodh sa chathair.

Is é an príomhaidhm leis an champa ná páistí áitiúla a spreagadh an Ghaeilge a úsáid taobh amuigh de thimpeallacht na scoile. Socraíodh dhá fhochampa mar chuid de Champa Mhacha bunaithe ar aois agus d’fhreastail páistí idir Rang 1 agus Rang 3 ar Champa 1 agus d’fhreastail páistí idir Rang 4 agus Rang 7 ar Champa 2.

Cé gurbh é príomhionad an Champa ná Eamhain Mhacha, thug Campa Mhacha deis do na páistí sult a bhaint as turas ar chapall agus carr thart ar Pháirc an Pháláis in Ard Mhacha, turas báid ar Loch Lao i mBéal Feirste, turas treoraithe dátheangach thart ar stiúideo an BBC i mBéal Feirste, cuairt ar Uaimheanna Áirse Marmair i bhFear Manach, turas lar chuig Coco’s sa Chaisleán Nua, scoil na laochra ag Eamhain Mhacha agus lá spraoi ag an áit shúgartha is fearr in Ard Mhacha, Hugglebugs. Chomh maith leis sin uilig, bhí deis ag na páistí páirt a ghlacadh i gceardlanna camógaíochta agus iománaíochta leis an chóitseálaí Rónán Mac Uilliam ó Chomhairle Uladh, i gceardlann san ealaíon Ceilteach, i dtoraíocht taisce agus i roinnt mhaith imeachtaí eile. Soláthraíodh gach ceardlann, imeacht agus idirghníomhaíocht leis na páistí trí mheán na Gaeilge.

Ar lá deireanach an Champa, d’oibrigh na páistí i gcomhar leis na múinteoirí agus le ceoltóirí le ceolchoirm a ullmhú do theaghlaigh agus d’aíonna le deireadh spleodrach a chur le Campa Mhacha 2014. Tháinig teaghlaigh agus cairde na bpáistí le chéile san amharclann ag Ionad Eamhain Mhacha do seó nach ndéanfar dearmad air go ceann i bhfad. Cheoil na páistí amhrán speisialta i nGaeilge a scríobh duine de na múinteoirí Mícheál Ó hAodha, a léirigh an spraoi a bhí ag na páistí ag Campa Mhacha.

Le blianta beaga anuas, is é CAIRDE Teo atá ag reáchtáil Champa Mhacha agus bíonn foireann gairmiúil láncháilithe múinteoirí, oibrithe óige agus oibrithe forbartha pobail bainteach leis. Faigheann an Campa cúnamh airgeadais ó Sheirbhís Óige Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Deiscirt, ó Fhoras na Gaeilge agus ó Chomhairle Ard Mhacha. Ba mhaith le CAIRDE Teo buíochas a ghabháil leis na múinteoirí agus na cúntóirí uilig, le Rónán agus Máire, le Hugglebugs, le Johnny Fee agus a chuid cairde, leis an fhoireann ag Uaimheanna Áirse Marmair, Coco’s, Comhlacht Báid Loch Lao agus le Tomaí Ó Conghaile agus an fhoireann ag an BBC. Tugann CAIRDE buíochas d’Ionad Eamhain Mhacha chomh maith, go háirithe Róisín agus Damian, do ACDC Signs as an mheirge iontach do Champa Mhacha, agus do Jerome McCarthy agus Justin as Jerome’s Coach Hire. Gabhann CAIRDE buíochas speisialta le réalt CLG Ard Mhacha Ruairí Ó Gruagáin a tháinig chuig an champa le duaiseanna a bhronnadh ar Ghaeilgeoirí na seachtaine chomh maith.

Ar deireadh, ba mhaith le CAIRDE mórbhuíochas a ghabháil leis na páistí uilig a d’fhreatail ar an Champa agus a chuir go mór leis an tseachtain. Maith sibh a pháistí agus bainaigí úsáid as an Ghaeilge ar feadh an tsamhraidh uilig.

The dust may barely have settled on Armagh’s biggest Irish Language Summer Camp, but already the tributes are pouring in. Parents, relatives, children and teachers have inundated social media networks with tributes to the organisers of Campa Mhacha 2014 – the only all-Irish summer camp in Armagh City. Based at Eamhain Mhacha / The Navan Centre, the camp is organised by Irish language collective, CAIRDE Teo. Attracting almost 90 children, mostly from Irish medium primary schools in the area, the Camp is now in its eighth year of existence and organisers have expressed delight at the overwhelming response to this year’s event.

The primary aim of Campa Mhacha is to encourage local children to use their command of spoken Irish outside the school environment. Due to the growth in numbers applying to participate, Campa Mhacha was this year divided into two different sub-camps and children were allocated their places within Camp based upon their age group. Children attending Rang 1 to Rang 3 attended Campa 1, while pupils from Rang 4 to Rang 7 attended Campa 2.

While the main centre of activities for the 2014 Camp was Eamhain Mhacha/The Navan Centre, Campa Mhacha also offered opportunities for the children to participate in activities as diverse as horse and carriage rides at the Palace Park in Armagh, a boat trip on the River Lagan (Loch Lao) in Belfast, a bilingual guided tour of the BBC studios on the Ormeau Road, a visit to the Marble Arch Caves in Co. Fermanagh, a day trip to Coco’s in Newcastle, a Celtic Warrior School at Navan and a fun day at Hugglebugs. As if that wasn’t enough the children also had the opportunity to enjoy instruction in hurling and camogie with Ulster Council coach Rónán Mac Uilliam, Celtic arts and crafts workshops, treasure hunts and a host of other activities.  All  workshops, activities and interaction with the children were delivered through the medium of Irish.

On the final day of Camp, the children worked with teachers and musicians to prepare a concert performance for families and guests to round off Campa Mhacha 2014. Families, siblings and friends joined the children in the Theatre at the Navan Centre for a show that no one will ever forget. In a first for the Camp, the children performed a specially commissioned Irish language song that expressed their obvious enthusiasm for the Camp. The song was composed by Camp Leader Mícheál O hAodha who himself was a big hit with all the children.

In recent years CAIRDE Teo has taken responsibility for coordination and delivery of Campa Mhacha. Team Campa Mhacha is staffed by professional teachers, youth workers and a community development team with many years of experience in delivering recreational projects for young people. All camp staff are fully qualified and trained to professional standards and all are vetted in accordance with legislation.

The Camp receives partial financial assistance from SELB Youth Service, Foras na Gaeilge and Armagh City and District Council. CAIRDE Teo would like to offer their thanks to the all the Camp teachers and assistants, to Rónán and Máire, to Hugglebugs, to Johnny Fee and friends, to the staff at the Marble Arch Caves, Coco’s, Lagan Boat Company and also to Tomaí Ó Conghaile and the staff at the BBC. The Irish language group also express their gratitude to the Navan Centre, especially Róisín and Damian, to ACDC signs for the fantastic Campa Mhacha banner, and to Jerome McCarthy and Justin from Jerome’s Coach Hire. They extend a special thanks also to Armagh senior GAA star Rory Grugan who visited the Camp to present awards.

Finally, CAIRDE would also like to say a huge thank you to all of the children who took part in the Camp and who contributed so much in terms of their participation, joy, enthusiasm and energy. Maith sibh a pháistí agus bainaigí úsáid as an Ghaeilge ar feadh an tsamhraidh uilig.

Clár ama do Champa Mhacha 2014:

Campa 1 – Rang 1 go Rang 3

Dé Luain AM Turas Capaill chuig Stáblaí an Pháláis PM Spórt
(Monday AM Horse and Cart tour of Palace Stables PM Sport)

Dé Máirt AM Cluichí & Ceol PM Toraíocht Taisce & Scéalaíocht
(Tuesday AM Games & Music PM Treasure Hunt & Storytelling)

Armagh City based social enterprise, CAIRDE Teo, is probably best known locally for its work in promoting and developing the Irish language; but the organisation is also renowned internationally for its research and activist work – particularly in the arenas of economic rights, labour sociology and the solidarity economy.

In 2013, the local organisation was privileged to be asked to become an associate partner on an international training network that is preparing the next generation of policy-focused social scientists for the challenges of a rapidly changing global economy. Coordinated by the University of Strathclyde‘s Department of Human Resource Management, the ‘Changing Employment Training Network’ is funded by the European Commission‘s Seventh Research Framework Programme “Marie Curie Actions”.

The €4.6 million project is examining the changing nature of employment in Europe in the context of challenges, threats and opportunities for employees and employers. The project team comprises a team of eminent senior researchers and academics from nine European universities who are training fifteen early career researchers (12 Doctoral and 3 Post-Doctoral). The team is also exploring the impact on work relations and working lives, while examining the implications for gender, ethnicity and different age groups at work.

CAIRDE Teo representatives attended the Network launch at the University of Gothenburg last year before delivering a seminar on Third Sector Funding Proposals at the first Annual Colloquium and Network School in Paris in November. CAIRDE were also represented at the Network’s recent seminar in Leuven, Belgium and they have agreed to participate in the forthcoming second Annual Colloquium at the University of Wroclaw, Poland.

Prior to travelling to Poland, CAIRDE will organise a research project that will be attended by over 30 participants from seven different European regions. The specific objective of this project, which is funded by the NI Community Relations Council and the Marie Curie Changing Employment Network, is to explore new developments emerging from the economic crisis, particularly with regard to inclusion/exclusion, the consequences of unemployment and precarious work and increasing inequalities in Northern Ireland. Methodologies will include an exploration of the changing nature of migrant work and employment; analysis of media discourse about migrants; case studies and biographical narrative interviews with migrant employees, trade unionists and community development workers in Belfast, Armagh and Magherafelt. As part of the project a residential research weekend will be organised by CAIRDE Teo from 27^th – 29^th June in Queens University Belfast and in the Ramada Plaza Hotel.

Professor Paul Stewart, Programme Coordinator at the University of Strathclyde and Director of CAIRDE Teo, said:
“My colleague Gearóid Ó Machail will coordinate a programme of events in Armagh, Belfast and Derry that will provide valuable insights into the lived experiences of people who have travelled from mainland Europe to live and work in the north of Ireland since 2004. In light of some recent media headlines and pronouncements by civic and political leaders, our research will measure the extent to which ‘new citizens’ in N.Ireland have been able to integrate into civic society and to participate fully in the democratic, political and social structures that have emerged in recent years”.

CAIRDE Teo would like to thank Professor John Barry who will host the weekend seminar at Queens University and also Trademark Belfast and Ex-Pac North who will facilitate a series of workshops at the event. The Armagh-based organisation would also like to acknowledge the generous financial assistance of the Community Relations Council and the Marie Curie Changing Employment Network.

Tá CAIRDE Teo ag ceiliúradh arís eile, i ndiaidh do dhuine de na hoibrithe deonacha duais mhór a bhaint ag fáiltiú an ArdMhéara ar na mallaibh. Bronnadh duais ar Shannón Nic Mhánais as an ról a d’imir sí i gcur chu cinn na Gaeilge sa chathair le roinnt blianta anuas. Fuair Shannón an duais ón ArdMhéara Robert Turner agus ón LeasArdMhéara Gerard Paul White, i rith mórsearmanais a bhí ar siúl in Óstán Chathair Ard Mhacha ar an tseachtain seo caite.

Tháinig Shannón tríd an chóras Gaeloideachais agus d’fhreastail sí ar Bhunscoil na mBráithre Críostaí agus ar Choláiste Chaitríona agus tá sí anois ag déanamh staidéir ar an Ghaeilge ag Ollscoil Uladh i nDoire. Tá suim as cuimse aici sa Ghaeilge agus tá baint láidir aici le hobair CAIRDE Teo, mar oibrí óg deonach agus mar dhalta ar roinnt cúrsaí a reachtáil an fiontar sóisialta.

Bhí Shannón páirteach sa scéim le dhá aip dátheangach a chruthú d’Eamhain Mhacha agus ghlac siad páirt sa chúrsa fiontraíochta le Gaeilgeoirí óga in Ard Mhacha a spreagadh smaoineamh ar thionscnaimh ghnó a chuideodh leis an teanga sa chathair. Chomh maith lena ról sa scéim samhraidh Gaeilge, Campa Mhacha, chuidigh Shannón ag an chlub Gaeilge ag Pláinéadlann Ard Mhacha, ag roinnt tionscadal Gaeilge ag Eamhain Mhacha, ag Iarsmalann Ard Mhacha agus sa Pháirc Lúthchleasa, chomh maith le turais chuig Baile Átha Cliath, chuig Béal Feirste, chuig Cill Áirne agus chuig Dún na nGall.

I ndiaidh di glacadh leis an duais, dúirt Shannón “Ba mhór an onóir dom ainmniúchán a fháil don duais agus mothaím iontach umhal gur bhain mé Duais Speisialta an Mhéara. Tugann sé aitheantas iontach don Ghaeilge in Ard Mhacha agus léiríonn sé go bhfuil níos mó éilimh ar sheirbhísí, imeachtaí agus ranganna Gaeilge in Ard Mhacha ná mar a bhí riamh. Amharcaim féin air mar dhuais do phobal na Gaeilge, seachas dom féin go pearsanta. Tá mé iontach sásta go dtig liom cuidiú le CAIRDE Teo agus tá mé paiseanta faoin teanga agus ba mhaith liom a chinntiú go bhfuil an muinín ag Gaeilgeoirí óga a dteanga féin a úsáid ina gcathair féin.”

Local Irish language organisation CAIRDE Teo is celebrating yet again, after one of their volunteers was awarded a major prize at the recent Lord Mayor’s reception. Shannón Nic Mhánais was awarded the Mayor’s Youth Award for her contribution to the promotion of the Irish language in the city over the last number of years. Shannón received her award from Lord Mayor Robert Turner and Deputy Lord Mayor Gerard Paul White, during a gala ceremony held in Armagh City Hotel.

Shannón, who is studying Irish at the University of Ulster in Derry, came through the Irish medium education sector in Armagh and attended Bunscoil na mBráithre Críostaí before going on to Coláiste Chaitríona. She has a passionate interest in the Irish language and is heavily involved in the work of CAIRDE Teo, both as a volunteer youth worker and as a student on a number of course run by the Armagh-based social enterprise.

Shannón was involved in the creation of two new bilingual apps for Navan Fort and also took part in the enterprise course designed to encourage young Irish speakers in Armagh to set up new business initiatives to help develop the language in the city. In addition to her involvement in Armagh’s only Irish language summer camp Campa Mhacha, Shannon also helped out at the Irish language club at Armagh Planetarium, numerous Irish language youth projects at Navan Fort, Armagh County Museum and the Athletic Grounds, as well as a number of youth trips to Dublin, Belfast, Killarney and Donegal.4

Speaking after the presentation of her award, Shannón said “I was honoured to be nominated for a volunteer’s award and I am very humbled to have been named as the winner of the Mayor’s Youth Award. The award is fantastic recognition for the Irish language in Armagh and it reflects the growing demand for Irish language services, events and classes here in the city. I see it as an award for the Irish language community, more so than a personal achievement. I am delighted to be able to help out with CAIRDE Teo as I am passionate about the language and I want to ensure that young Irish speakers have the confidence to use their own language in their own city.”

Tá sé mar bhunchuspóir ag an tionscadal ná amharc ar fhorbairtí úra atá ag teacht chun tosaigh ón ghéarchéim eacnamaíoch, maidir le cuimsiú/ eisiamh, iarmhairtí na dífhostaíochta agus na hoibre neamhbhuain agus níos mó míchothromaíochtaí i dtuaisceart na hÉireann. Ar na modheolaíochtaí a úsáidfear, beidh iniúchadh ar nadúr na hoibre agus na fostaíochta imircí; beidh anailís ar dhioschúrsa na meáin faoi imircigh; beidh cás-staidéir agus beidh agallaimh le fostaithe imirceacha, ceardchumannaithe agus oibrithe pobail as Béarl Feirste, as Ard Mhacha agus as Machaire Fíolta.

The specific objective of this project is to explore new developments emerging from the economic crisis, with regard to inclusion/exclusion, the consequences of unemployment and precarious work and increasing inequalities in Northern Ireland. Methodologies will include an exploration of the changing nature of migrant work and employment; analysis of media discourse about migrants; case studies and biographical narrative interviews with migrant employees, trade unionists and community development workers in Belfast, Armagh and Magherafelt.

Ainm: Caolán Ó Raifeartaigh
Name: Caolan Rafferty

Club: An Ghráinseach Mhór
Club: Granemore GFC

Áit is fearr ar an pháirc: Leath-thosaí ar dheis
Favourite Position: Right half forward

An pháirc is fearr: An Pháirc Lúthchleasa, Ard Mhacha
Favourite Pitch: Athletic Grounds, Armagh

Caitheamh aimsire: liosta fada sraitheanna teilifíse agus sacar 5 an taobh
Hobbies: long list of TV series and a bit of 5-aside soccer off-season

Laoch d’óige: Ciarán Mac Dónaill agus Ciarán Mac Géibheannaigh sa CLG, Johnny Wilkinson & David Beckham taobh amuigh de sin
Childhood hero: Johnny Wilkinson and David Beckham outside of Gaelic, Ciaran McDonald and Kieran McGeeney within it.

An t-imreoir is fearr ar imir tú leis: Stiofán Mac Dónaill
Best Player you have played with: Steven McDonnell

An t-imreoir is fearr ar imir tú ina choinne: Diarmaid Ó Conghaile
Best Player you have played against: Diarmuid Connolly

An cluiche is fearr a raibh tú ag imirt ann: An Mhí sa tStaithe Náisiúnta i mbliana
Best game you have been involved in: Meath this year in NFL

An cluiche is fearr a bhfaca tú riamh: Cluiche Ceannais na hÉireann 2002
Best game you have ever seen: 2002 All-Ireland Final

An treanálaí is fearr sa scuad: Aindí Ó Mealláin
Best trainer within the squad: Andy Mallon

An treanálaí is measa sa scuad: Níl mé a rá faic
Worst trainer within the squad: No Comment

An druil treanála is measa: Rití athshlánaithe
Worst training drill: Rehab runs

An t-inspreagthóir is fearr sa scuad: Ciarán Mac Íomhair
Best motivator within the squad: Ciaran McKeever

Béile roimh chluiche: Puttanesca sicín
Pre Match meal: Chicken puttanesca

Piseoga ar bith: Suíocháin sa seomra feistis
Any superstitions: Seats in the changing room

An t-amhrán is fearr leat: From Eden – Hozier
Favourite Song: From Eden – Hozier

An scannán is fearr leat: The Shawshank Redemption
Favourite Film: The Shawshank Redemption

An áit is fearr leat le saoire a chaitheamh ann: Nua-Eabhrac
Favourite Holiday Destination: New York

Deoch is fearr leat: Seacláid the
Favourite Drink: Hot chocolate

Béile is fearr: Stéig & Sceallóga
Favourite Meal: Steak & Chips

Comhairle is fearr a fuair tú: Ná bíodh imní ort fán teip
Best advice ever received: Don’t be afraid of failure

Tionchar is mó: Teaghlach
Biggest influence on career: Family

Oibrí deonach suntasach sa chlub: Séarlas Ó Dúghaill
Club Volunteer of note: Charlie Doyle

Amhrán lena n-éisteann tú roimh chluiche: Pursuit of Happiness – Kid Cudi ft. MGMT
Song you listen to before big games: Pursuit of Happiness – Kid Cudi ft. MGMT

Scil is tábhachtaí: Cinnteoireacht
Most important skill: Decision making

Láidreacht is mó agat féin: Ag iompar na liathróide
Biggest Strength in your game: Carrying the ball

Gné den pheil ar mhaith leat a fheabhsú: Tabhairt fán scór
Area of your game you would like to improve: Shooting

Cén club a bhfuil dáimh agat leis: An Ghráinseach
Which club do you like to see do well apart from your own: Grange

Cén contae a bhfuil dáimh agat leis: Maigh Eo
Which county do you like to see do well apart from your own: Mayo

Comhairle d’imreoirí óga: Déanann cleachtadh foirfe máistreacht
Advice for youngsters: Perfect practice makes perfect

Imreoir óg sa chlub le todhchaí gheal: Clann Uí Raifeartaigh (Pádraig, Mícheál, Conchúr & Liam)
Young Player within your club to look out for: Rafferty brothers (Patrick, Michael, Conor & Liam)

Rud is fearr fán CLG: Na cairde a dhéanann tú
Best thing about the GAA: Friends you make

D’fhreastail ionadaithe ó CAIRDE Teo ar roinnt agóidí in éadan an chiníochais agus an tseicteachais a reachtáladh i mBéal Feirste ar na mallaibh. Eagraíodh na hagóidí le cur in éadan ionsaithe ciníocha ar fud na hÉireann agus mar fhreagra ar na huafáis a dúirt an Tréadaí Mac Conaill agus an CéadAire Peter Robinson. Tá leithscéal tugtha ag an bheirt ó shin as na ráitis a chur isteach chan amháin ar an phobal Ioslámach, ach ar thromlach na sochaí atá in éadan an bhiogóideachais.

Bhí roinnt Gaeilgeoirí óga as Ard Mhacha i láthair le dlúthpháirtíocht a thaispeáint do dhaoine ó chultúir agus cúlraí éagsúla ar fud na hÉireann. Bhí na mílte i láthair ag an léirsiú ag Halla na Cathrach i mBéal Feirste agus labhair dhaoine ó phobail eitneacha agus ó pholaiteoirí, an t-iarrthóir do thoghchán na hEorpa Anna Lo ina measc. Ghlac ionadaithe Ard Mhacha páirt chomh maith i dtobshlua taobh amuigh de Tesco ar Ascaill Ríoga Bhéal Feirste le béim a leagan ar ar dhúirt an ChéadAire go gcuirfeadh sé iontaoibh i nduine ón phobal Ioslámach a chuid siopadóireachta a dhéanamh

Bhí ionadaíocht ag CAIRDE Teo chomh maith i mórshuil 5,000 duine i lár Bhéal Feirste a d’eagraigh Amnesty Idirnáisiúnta, Comhdháil na gCeardchumann agus Comhairle na Mionlach Eitneach. Rinne baill den ghrúpa as Ard Mhacha agallaimh leis an suíomh idirlín Ghaeilge www.meoneile.ie, chomh maith le hagallaimh do nuacht RTÉ agus TG4. Tá CAIRDE Teo iontach bródúil as an seasamh atá glactha ag na daoine óga in éadan an chiníochais, an tseicteachais agus an bhiogóideachais agus le tacaíocht a thabhairt do dhaoine sa tsochaí ó chultúir agus ó chúlraí éagsúla.

Representatives from local Irish language cooperative CAIRDE Teo attended the rallies which were organised in Belfast recently to oppose ongoing racism and sectarianism in our society. The protests were organised in response to racist attacks right across Ireland and the recent remarks of Pastor McConnell and First Minister Peter Robinson. Both men have since apologised for the hurt that they caused, not only to the Islamic community, but to the majority of society who are opposed to bigotry.
A number of young Irish speakers from Armagh attended the rallies to show solidarity with people from all cultures and backgrounds living in Ireland. They joined thousands of others at a demonstration at Belfast City Hall, which was addressed by members of ethnic communities and politicians including European election candidate Anna Lo. Armagh representatives also participated in a flashmob outside Tesco on Royal Avenue to highlight the remarks of the First Minister who said that he would trust a member of the Muslim community to do his shopping.
CAIRDE Teo was also represented at a 5,000 strong march in Belfast city centre that was organised by Amnesty International, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Council for Ethnic Minorities. Members of the group from Armagh took part in media interviews with Irish language website www.meoneile.ie, as well as for RTÉ and TG4 news. CAIRDE Teo are extremely proud of the stand that these young Irish speakers took against racism, sectarianism and bigotry and in support of members of our society who come from different cultures and backgrounds.

http://www.meoneile.ie/ailt/4000-p%C3%A1irteach-in-ag%C3%B3id%C3%AD-frithchin%C3%ADochais-%C3%B3-thuaidh#.U5XVNIZBlnA

http://www.rte.ie/player/gb/show/10290887/

http://www.tg4.ie/en/player/tg4-player.html

Bíonn na mílte daoine óga ó achan chearn d’Éirinn ag triall chun na Gaeltachta achan bhliain agus coinníonn na mic léinn cuimhní cinn le fada, chomh maith le cairde, ó na laethanta sin a chaitheann siad in áiteanna mar Mhachaire Rabhartaigh, Bun an Inbhir, Loch an Iúir, Rann na Feirste agus Gaoth Dobhair.

Tá comhthionscnamh forbartha ag CAIRDE Teo agus Comhthionól Ard Mhacha Thiar a thabharfas buntáiste do dhaltaí áitiúla le taisteal chuig Gaeltacht Dhún na nGall. Bhéarfaidh an scéim seans do líon bheag daoine scoláireacht £200 a fháil a chuideos leo leis na costais a bhaineann lena bheith ag freastal ar chúrsa Gael Linn le linn laethanta saora na scoile.

Lainseáladh an scéim le béim a leagan gurb e an bealach is fearr le cur le scileanna cainte, tuisceana agus éisteachta ná tumfhoghlaim ar feadh cúpla seachtaine in atmaisféar ina bhfuil an Ghaeilge á húsáid mar chéadteanga an phobail.

Tá CAIRDE Teo agus Comhthionól Ard Mhacha Thiar ag cur agallamh ar dhaltaí faoi láthair do na scoláireachtaí £200 agus tá am teoranta fágtha le cur isteach ar an chomórtas go fóill. Le bheith incháilithe, ní mór bheith cláraithe do choláiste Gaeltachta, bheith san oideachas go lánaimseartha agus bheith ábalta a chur in iúl go ndéanfadh scoláireacht difear suntasach. Má chomhlíonann tú critéir na scéime, iarrfar ort agallamh gearr a dhéanamh sa Ghaeilge. Cuirfear in iúl d’iarrthóirí cé acu ar éirigh leo.

Le tuilleadh eolais a fháil ar an scéim scoláireachta, déan teagmháil le hoifig CAIRDE Teo ar 028 37515229 nó cuir rphost chuig sean@cairdeteo.com nó stephenfields@tiscali.co.uk.

Visiting the Gaeltacht is a rite of passage for thousands of young people throughout Ireland every year and many Ulster students retain enduring memories and lifelong friendships from their halcyon days in idyllic locations such as Loch an Iúir, Rann na Feirste, Gaoth Dobhair, Machaire Rabhartaigh and Bun an Inbhir.

A joint initiative devised by the Irish language community cooperative CAIRDE Teo and the West Armagh Consortium will result in some positive benefits for local students who are travelling to the Donegal Gaeltacht this summer. The scheme will offer a small number of young people the chance to win bursaries of £200 in order to assist them with the costs of attending a Gael Linn residential course during the school holidays.

The scheme was launched in recognition of the fact that there is simply no better way for young people to enhance their oral, comprehension and listening skills than to immerse themselves for several weeks in an atmosphere where native Irish is spoken as the first language of the local community.

CAIRDE Teo and the West Armagh Consortium are currently interviewing students for their £200 awards and there is still a limited amount of time to enter the competition. To qualify, you must already have registered for a Gaeltacht college in 2014, be in full time education and be able to demonstrate the difference that a financial award would make to your stay in the Gaeltacht. If you meet the scheme criteria, you will be asked to attend a short interview through the medium of Irish. Successful candidates will be notified within 3 working days of the interviews.

For further details about the scholarship scheme, contact the CAIRDE Teo office on 028 37515229 or send an e.mail enquiry to sean@cairdeteo.com or stephenfields@tiscali.co.uk.

Seoladh Campa Mhacha, campa samhraidh Gaeilge a eagraíonn CAIRDE Teo in Ard Mhacha, ag Ionad Bhóthar na hArdeaglaise ar na mallaibh i gcomhar le Cumann Iománaíochta Chú Chulainn agus Cumann Camógaíochta Naomh Bríd.

Is é bunchuspóir an Champa páistí a spreagadh le Gaeilge a úsáid taobh amuigh de thimpeallacht na scoile. Beidh imeachtaí an Champa ar siúl idir 10am agus 4pm ón Luan 30 Meitheamh go dtí an Aoine 4 Iúil. Ní mór do pháistí lón bheith leo agus na héadaí cuí d’imeachtaí an lae sin.

Tá an-éileamh ar áiteanna cheana féin agus beidh 80 áit ar fáil do pháistí bunscoile ó Ghaelscoileanna an cheantair. Tá dhá champa ar leith ann ag Campa Mhacha agus tabharfar áiteanna do pháistí sa Champa bunaithe ar a n-aois. Beidh páistí ó Rang 1 go Rang 3 ag freastal ar Champa 1, agus beidh páistí ó Rang 4 go Rang 7 ag freastal ar Champa 2.

Cé go mbeidh Campa 2014 lonnaithe ag Eamhain Mhacha, beidh deis ag na páistí cuairt a thabhairt ar áiteanna mar an Caisleán Úr, turas báid i mBéal Feirste agus Uaimheanna Áirse Marmair.

Chomh maith le roinnt turas lae, beidh iománaíocht, camógaíocht, cluiche corr, tóraíocht taisce, ealaíona agus ceirdeanna, ceardlanna rince agus ceoil, scannáin, drámaí, srl. Le blianta beaga anuas, tá Campa Mhacha á chomhordú agus á sheachadadh ag CAIRDE Teo. Bíonn foireann múinteoirí, oibrithe óige agus oibrithe pobail ag obair ar Champa Mhacha agus tá blianta de thaithí acu ag soláthar tionscadal bríomhar do dhaoine óga. Déantar promhadh ar an fhoireann uilig agus faigheann siad an oiliúint chuí.

Faigheann an Campa páirtmhaoiniú ó Sheirbhís Óige an SELB, ó Fhoras na Gaeilge agus ó Chomhairle Chathair agus Cheantar Ard Mhacha. Beidh táille ainmniúil de £25 don chéad pháiste sa teaghlach agus £20 do pháistí ina dhiaidh sin le costas an champa ardchaighdeáin, gairmiúil seo a chlúdach.

Tá líon teoranta áiteanna ar fáil go fóill ag an Champa. Le tuilleadh eolais a fháil nó le do pháiste a chlárú don eispéreas cultúir seo, déan teagmháil le CAIRDE Teo ar 028 (048) 37 515229 nó r-phost sean@cairdeteo.com. Nó thig leat amharc ar leathanach Facebook CAIRDE Teo nó gabh i dteagmháil linn ar Twitter ag @cairdeteo.

The eighth annual Campa Mhacha – the Irish language summer camp organised by CAIRDE Teo in Armagh City – was launched at the Cathedral Road Recreation Centre this week in association with the Cú Chulainn Hurling Club and Naomh Bríd Camogie Club.

The primary aim of the Camp is to encourage local children to use spoken Irish outside the school environment. Camp activities will take place between 10am and 4pm from Monday 30th June to Friday 4th July. Children must bring a packed lunch each day and have appropriate clothing for that day’s activities.

Demand for places is already exceeding all expectations and organisers are making 80 places available to primary school children from Irish medium schools in the area. Campa Mhacha is divided into two different sub-camps and children will be allocated their places within Camp based upon their age group. Children attending Rang 1 to Rang 3 will attend Campa 1, while pupils from R4 to R7 will attend Campa 2.

While the main centre of activites for the 2014 Camp will be Eamhain Mhacha/The Navan Centre, Campa Mhacha also offers opportunities for the children to visit places as diverse as Newcastle, a boat trip in Belfast, and the Marble Arch Caves.

As well as a variety of day trips, other activities on offer will include hurling, camogie, rounders, treasure hunts, Celtic arts and crafts, dance and music workshops, films, drama, etc. In recent years CAIRDE Teo has taken responsibility for coordination and delivery of Campa Mhacha. Team Campa Mhacha is staffed by teachers, youth workers and community development workers with many years of experience in delivering recreational projects for young people. All camp staff are vetted and appropriately qualified and trained.

The Camp receives partial financial assistance from the SELB Youth Service, Foras na Gaeilge and Armagh City and District Council. However, a nominal surcharge of £25 for a first child and £20 for subsequent children is required to cover the costs of delivering a high quality, professional summer camp.

A limited number of places are still available for this year’s Camp. For further details or to register your child for this unique cultural experience, please contact CAIRDE Teo’s office on 028 (048) 37 515229 or e.mail sean@cairdeteo.com. Alternatively, visit the CAIRDE Teo facebook page or you can reach us on Twitter at @cairdeteo.

Bhí macalla na Gaeilge le cluinstin go soiléir ag lárionad ársa na nGael ag Eamhain Mhacha ar an Satharn seo caite nuair a tháinig grúpa teaghlach atá ag tógáil a gcuid páistí le Gaeilge le chéile do phicnic speisialta. Ba iad Cairde Teo a d’eagraigh an picnic a bhí mar chuid d’imeacht náisiúnta a bhí á chomhordú ag Comhluadar, an grúpa a thugann tacaíocht do theaghlaigh atá á dtógáil trí mheán na Gaeilge. Bhí picnicí ar siúl ó cheann ceann na tíre ó Ghlinntí Aontroma go Baile Átha Cliath agus ó Ghaeltach Uíbh Ráthaigh i gCiarraí go Conamara.

Ghlac na teaghlaigh, arb as ceantar Ard Mhacha dóibh uilig, ghlac siad páirt i siúlóid nádúir idir Ionad Eamhain Mhacha agus an cnoc féin a bhí mar bhaile ársa na nGael i gCúige Uladh. Bhí páistí ann ó bhliain amháin d’aois go bliain déag daois agus bhain siad an-sult as an phicnic san aimsir iontach, ag súgradh roinnt cluichí agus toraíocht taisce agus ag imirt na h-aipe úire Gaeilge Dúshlán Chú Chulainn a chuidigh leo foghlaim faoi na laochra agus na ríthe a raibh cónaí orthu fá Eamhain Mhacha.

Bhí sé mar aidhm ag an phicnic Gaeilge páistí a spreagadh leis an Ghaeilge a úsáid taobh amuigh den seomra ranga agus le tuimitheoirí a thabhairt le chéile le smaointí a roinnt faoina bheith ag tógáil páistí go dátheangach. Tá ardiomrá ar bhuntáistí an dátheangachais ar fud an domhain agus tá níos mó daoine in Ard Mhacha anois ar an eolas faoi na tairbhí a thugann an dátheangachas dá bpáistí trína gcur chuig Gaelscoileanna agus trína bheith ag tacú le foghlaim na Gaeilge in earnáil an Bhéarla. Má tá suim agatsa do pháiste a thógáil le Gaeilge, is féidir bualadh isteach chuig oifig Cairde Teo thuas staighre in Ionad Siopadóireachta Chathair Ard Mhacha le h-eolas a fháil ar imeachtaí agus ar ranganna agus le comhairle a fháil ar an dóigh le pacáiste tacaíochta a fháil saor in aisce ó Roinn na Gaeltachta.

The Irish language abounded once more at the ancient setting of Eamhain Mhacha or Navan Fort last Saturday when a group of families, who are raising their children through the medium of Irish, came together for a special picnic. The picnic, which was organised by local Irish language group CAIRDE Teo, was part of a national event called An Picnic Mór coordinated by Irish language family support group Comhluadar. Picnics were held right across the country from the Glens of Antrim to the capital city to the Kerry Gaeltacht of Uíbh Ráthaigh.

The families, who all come from the Armagh area, took part in a nature trail walk between the Navan Centre and the ancient seat of the Gaels in Ulster at Emahain Mhacha. The children who ranged in age from one year old to twelve years old enjoyed the picnic and the fantastic weather, taking part in numerous games and treasure hunts and availing of the new bilingual Irish language and English language app to learn about the warriors and kings who resided at Navan Fort.

The aim of the Irish language picnic was to encourage the children to use the language outside of the classroom and to bring parents together to share ideas about raising children bilingually. The advantages of bilingualism are well-known across the world and more and more people in Armagh are beginning to realise the benefits bilingualism gives to their children by sending them to Irish medium education and by supporting the learning of languages in the English-medium sector. If you are interested in raising your child through Irish, you can call in to the Cairde Teo office upstairs in the Armagh City Shopping Centre for information on events and classes and advice on how to obtain a free support package from the Department of the Gaeltacht.