Irish

Tír gan Teanga, Tír gan Anam

The Irish Department in St. Louis Grammar School is a highly successful Modern Language Department. Irish is taught to all year groups in the school. Pupils learn the language in Year 8 on entry to the school and continue their study of Irish until the end of Year 10. Pupils then sit GCSE, 'AS' and 'A' Level examinations in the subject.

The main aims of the Irish department are:

to develop the ability to use Irish for purposes of practical communication.
to create an atmosphere in which pupils' experience of learning Irish will be enjoyable and successful.
to contribute to the personal and social development of each pupil.

Pupils participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities and which enhance the formal language learning in the classroom, and provide a wider context for their study of Irish. Two highlights of the school year are the day trip to the Donegal Gaeltacht for Year 11 pupils and the overnight trip to the Gaeltacht for Years 12-14. Pupils are both motivated and inspired by this contact with the living language. Pupils compete annually for scholarship examinations organised by Gael Linn and Féis na nGleann. They also participate in public speaking competitions and table quizzes organised by Gael Linn.

Pupils are encouraged to attend Summer and Easter courses in the Donegal Gaeltacht. All pupils are encouraged to speak Irish both inside and outside the classroom and many pupils also benefit from contact with the Irish Language Assistant, Máirtín Birt.

There are three Irish Teachers in the department, Mrs F McAteer, Mrs R Wilson and Mrs C McGrogan; staff in the department are highly motivated and dedicated to instilling a love for the language and a high degree of competency in all pupils.