By Ms. T, Ní Mhurchú & Ms. R. Ní Bheaglaoi
‘Mol an Óige agus Tiocfaidh siad’
This seanfhocal ‘praise the youth and they will flourish’ couldn’t be more relevant in relation to the wonderful bunch of students who embarked on an adventure to the Gaeltacht this March.
During Seachtain na Gaeilge thirty-seven students and four teachers travelled to Corca Dhuibhne for a three-day trip and a two-night stay.
These first- and second-year students stayed with Bean-an-Tí’s and their teachers in two quiet, remote and beautiful parts of the Kerry Gaeltacht; Feothanach and Muiríoch.
During their stay, English was replaced with Irish, their comfy beds were replaced with bunkbeds and shared bathrooms, their regular school day was replaced with guided walks in nature, their evenings were replaced with cultural activities and possibly most importantly their phones were replaced with real conversations, creativity and friendship bonding.
Each day was packed with a variety of activities for our students to fully engage with our cultúr as well as gain a blas for our native language.
We travelled down on the Monday morning, a bus full of giggles and packed lunches, we headed for our first stop; Baile An Fhéirtéaraigh. Here, the girls got to replace their usual timetabled classes for Yoga and Pottery classes in Irish surrounded by the mountains. While the sun beamed in through the windows, us teachers, could hear little conversations beginning as Gaeilge as they molded their pottery and mounded their yoga mats; we thought, we couldn’t believe our luck that the forecast was going to be warm for the week.
From there, it was straight to Dingle to take advantage of the clear skies. We walked up the back of the famous Skellig Hotel, taking in breathtaking views before heading out to Sláidín. There, we soaked up the sun and caught our breath, surrounded by nature, before returning to the heart of Dingle for a bit of shopping and a visit to Mara Beo aquarium. The Oceanworld guided tour as Gaeilge gave students a close-up look at Ireland’s marine life—a mix of excitement, awe, and education.
The tour included scenic stops and photo ops along the Wild Atlantic Way, with a hike that challenged and rewarded them in equal measure. The rugged cliffs, rolling waves, and whispering wind created the kind of classroom that no school building could ever match.
That evening, after another delicious home-cooked meal, we all headed for another entertaining night in Halla na Feothanaí. This time the traditional Céilí dancing was replaced by modern hip-hop music and exercise as the girls were taken out of their comfort zone with the well-known local DJ NAT for a Zumba dance class as Gaeilge! Confidence beamed from many students that night as they showcased some of their wonderful individual talents by performing for the group. Each student got involved as each house had to prepare a little performance.
It was evident that with every passing hour, friendships deepened, Irish strengthened, and laughter became a constant backdrop.
Teachers awarded a number of students with gifts from the Gaeltacht. These students were rewarded for their efforts at speaking the language uninventively, for helping and being kind-natured to others throughout the trip. Each student was then given a little bronntanas to take back home with them as a small token of their first trip to the Gaeltacht.
Later that night, as the teachers gathered the students devices, the bean an Tí’s routine of ‘múch na soilse’ was heard up the stairs and the chats became quiet whispers.
The next morning after breakfast, some girls played camogie in the gardens together while others squeezed the last of their toiletries into their málaí as the bus arrived. Slán was said to the Mná Tí, and we headed into An Daingean, one last stop for an hour before returning to school.
Thank you to all the students who travelled to the Gaeltacht and embraced the language.
‘Beatha teanga í a labhairt’ the life of a language is to speak it.
Roinn na Gaeilge, 2025
