Ceiliúradh ócáid stairiúil i gColáiste Ollscoile Naomh Muire ar an 15 Samhain, nuair a thug scéalaithe, ceoltóirí agus drámadóirí as Gaeltachtaí Thír Chonaill agus Chonamara cuairt ar mhic léinn oideachais.Tugadh Lá Gaeltachta ar an chlár teanga agus cultúir agus tumadh na mic léinn i dtimpeallacht shaibhir na teanga le linn na gceardlann spreagúil ar bhéaloideas, scéalaíocht, drámaíocht, amhránaíocht agus damhsa ar an tsean-nós. Bhí clú agus cáil ar na cuairteoirí mar chaomhnóirí teanga agus cultúir agus ealaíontóirí oilte. D'éist na mic léinn go géar le Gaeilge bhinn na Gaeltachta i rith an lae agus d'aithin siad a luachmhaire atá teagmháil leanúnach leis an Ghaeltacht mar thobar na Gaeilge Beo.
A historic development was celebrated in St Mary's recently with the introduction of a Gaeltacht Day. Irish-medium students and staff are very aware of the value of a Gaeltacht experience to enhance their competence in Irish and this usually takes the form of a week or two in a Gaeltacht area. However, on Tuesday, 15 November, the Gaeltacht came to St Mary's!
A vibrant, creative programme of events was organised to allow students to immerse themselves in the rich native language spoken, or indeed sung, by some of the most renowned storytellers, dramatists and musicians from the Donegal and Connemara Gaeltacht areas.
The morning began with a question and answer session when Brid Anna Ní Bhaoil and Suzanne Uí Ghallchóir, two traditional storytellers from Donegal, discussed their experience of growing up in the abundant cultural and linguistic environment of Rannafast. Students enquired about their earliest experiences as storytellers as well as their views on the future of the Irish storytelling tradition. Suzanne and Brid Anna then delighted their audience by reciting two stories, An bhean ghlas and An bhochtaineacht a scarann cuideachta óna chéile.
The day progressed with a singing workshop organised by Aodh Mac Ruairi of the famous Rannafast family of musicians. Noel Ó Gallchóir from Gaoth Dobhair performed the Irish language play, Ó Pheann an Phiarsaigh, a new production that presents Pearse in his many roles — poet, short story writer, dramatist and educationalist. The day came to a close with a workshop on sean-nós dance given by Edel Ní Churraoin from indreabhán. Edel is a PGCE graduate from the Connemara Gaeltacht and she taught the students the Irish language as well as the steps of traditional dance.
PGCE students Megan Toner, Caoimhe McGoldrick and Fionnuala Duffy presented the three guests from Rannafast with gifts and expressed their appreciation of the opportunity to participate in a Gaeltacht Day.
Finally, staff thanked the Department of Education for their support, which enables student teachers to achieve a high level of linguistic competence in Irish.
