26/05/2015 - Fáilte chun na Gaeltachta

Pupils from Donegal who received a full Gaeltacht Summer Scholarship under Donegal County Councils Gaeltacht Scholarship Scheme

34 eagar and enthusiastic young pupils from all corners of Donegal have just received received the gift of a full Gaeltacht summer scholarship as part of the annual Donegal County Council Gaeltacht Scholarship Scheme, which was jointly presented by Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr John Campbell, and Cathaoirleach of the Council’s Coiste na Gaeilge, Cllr Mick Quinn  on Monday 25th  May in Lifford.

Young 11-year-old, Jake McDaid, from Sappagh in Muff stated that he was very pleased to get this opportunity to attend Coláiste Ghael Linn in Bun an Inbhir in Gaoth Dobhair, a sentiment echoed by 13yr old Charlene McGinley from An Tearmann who will be taking up a three-week summer placement in Coláiste an Phiarsaigh in Dunlewey. Cathaoirleach Clr. John Campbell, who officially welcomed the pupils and parents to the ceremony in Irish, referred to the importance of the Irish language in Donegal, his own experiences with the language as a learner, and he wished the young people all the best during their time in the rich linguistic community of the Gaeltacht.

Cllr Mick Quinn, chairperson of the Council’s Irish language committee ‘Coiste na Gaeilge’ thanked the various colleges who were also supporting the annual scheme by providing 17 matching scholarships for the 17 provided by Donegal County Council, including Coláiste Bhríde in Rann na Feirste, Coláiste Árainn Mhór on Arranmore Island, Coláiste Chill Chartha in Kilcar, Coláiste Aoidh Mhic Bhricne in Teelin, Coláiste Chú Chulainn in Gaoth Dobhair, Coláiste Ghael Linn in Gaoth Dobhair, Coláiste na Rosann in Annagry and Coláiste an Phiarsaigh in Dunlewey. ‘The Council received a total of 465 applications this year’ he stated, ‘and we are presenting 34 full scholarships to the lucky pupils whose names were drawn out in an open and fair draw in which everyone had the same chance. And the scheme is worth up to approximately €25,000 in total’, he continued, which is a significant investment in our language, and in our youth, and in our county. He thanked the ongoing support and work of his fellow colleagues on Coiste na Gaeilge.

Seán Ó Daimhín, Irish Language Development Officer for Donegal County Council stated that it was important that we demonstrated to our young people that we ourselves respected the language. He talked about the increasing importance of the language in the area of work and the public service in general, and referred to a range of activities within Council, including Seachtain na Gaeilge events earlier this year in the libraries across the county, the implementation of the Council’s Language Scheme 2014-2017, plans for including the Irish language as part of the programme of events for the 2016 centenary year, and also the inclusion of Irish language initiatives as part of the up and coming Local Economic and Community Plan for the county.

List of pupil names below

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Ainmneacha don Scéim Scoláireachta 2015