Gaeilge ar Scoil Lughaidh

Cumann Lughaidh

Miss A O’Brien was delighted to appoint A-Level Irish students to Cumann Lughaidh in October 2022. Cumann Lughaidh is a pupil-led organisation within St. Louis’ that promotes and encourages the use of Irish throughout the school. Pupils act as language leaders within the school by organising clubs for Year 8 pupils, taster sessions for GCSE and A-Level Irish pupils and representing the school at various Irish language and cultural events.

Year 13 Irish students (pictured below) were appointed to the following roles:

Cathaoirleach / Chairperson - Eva Scott

Leas-Chathaoirleach / Vice-Chairperson - Conn Fyfe

Rúnaí / Secretary - Darach Bradley

Oifigigh Oideachais / Education Officers - Maria Gately & Odhrán O’Kane

Oifigigh do Chaidrimh Poiblí agus na Meáin Shóisialta / PR & Social Media Officers - Sarah Carey & Maria Blaney

Year 8 pupils thoroughly enjoyed attending an Irish language club facilitated entirely through the medium of Irish by senior Irish pupils. Pupils made new friends, completed activities and games relating to what they were learning in Irish class and Halloween games. Cumann Lughaidh will continue to run for Year 8 pupils throughout the year – keep an eye out on Gaeilge ar Scoil Lughaidh Facebook and Instagram pages!

Miss A O’Brien and members of Cumann Lughaidh were thrilled to receive sponsorship from the Aspire School of Speech and Drama for O’Neill’s t-shirts. Miss A O’Brien and Cumann Lughaidh would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Aspire School of Speech and Drama for their generosity.

Mrs Shelagh O’Brien sent the following message to Cumann Lughaidh:

The Aspire School of Speech and Drama is delighted to sponsor Cumann Lughaidh and hopes you all enjoy wearing your new tops!

Aspire and Cumann Lughaidh both focus on the use and development of the spoken language, Aspire in English and Cumann Lughaidh in Irish. Aspire commends you all in your determination to preserve the richness and beauty of the ancient and lyrical Irish language. As the first Cumann Lughaidh group in the school, you are trailblazers and others will aspire to follow where you lead.

Comhghairdeas agus gach rath amach anseo!

Congratulations and every success in the future!

Shelagh O’Brien (Mrs)

The Aspire School of Speech and Drama

Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí!

Praise the youth and they will prosper!

Gaeltacht 2022

Senior Irish students (Year 11-14) thoroughly enjoyed a ‘Turas Gaeltachta’ trip to the Gaeltacht in October 2022.

Miss O’Brien, Mrs Mc Philomey and Mr Trainor joined Year 11 – Year 14 Irish students as they fully immersed themselves in the Irish language environment. Pupils took part in water sports activities through the medium of Irish with Trek & Paddle Donegal, stayed in Teach Jack’s and visited Glenveagh National Park. Joined by local people, pupils participated in céilí dancing after dinner … and even Mr Trainor enjoyed a turn on the dancefloor!

Maria Blaney (Year 13) and Fiontan Bradley (Year 11) won our ‘Spiorád na Gaeltachta’ (Spirit of the Gaeltacht) award for showing great enthusiasm for all activities and making the best effort to speak Irish at all times (pictured below). Comhghairdeas leo!

Pupils gained great confidence in speaking Irish while in the Gaeltacht and many hope to return for a Summer course next year.

Labhair í agus mairfidh sí!

Speak it and it will last!

Gaeilge 24

On Tuesday 15^th November, 2022, St Louis’ staff and pupils took part in the Gaeilge 24 challenge, run annually by Conradh na Gaeilge. The aim is to try and speak as much Irish as possible during the 24 hours of the day; in school, at home and with friends! Gaeilge 24 participation throughout the country has seen a great increase over the past number of years, making it one of the best school activities for encouraging the use of Irish among pupils.

This year the theme was ‘folláine’ – wellbeing. Miss O’Brien, Mrs Mc Kenna and Mrs Mc Philomey created an exciting programme of events for all pupils throughout the day. Pupils took part in HIIT sessions and Yoga sessions through the medium of Irish!

Many members of staff also made a great effort to recall Irish they learned in school and speak it with colleagues and pupils throughout the day.

Beatha teanga í a labhairt!

The life of a language is to speak it!