Roinn na Gaeilge – The Irish Department Irish is one of three modern languages that can be studied at Assumption. Ours is a vibrant, growing department with pupils studying the language at all levels. All pupils take on Irish in Year 9. At the end of that introductory year the girls may, if they choose, attend a fortnight’s course in the Gaeltacht of Loch an Iúir in County Donegal. Study of the language can be consolidated in Year 10, at the end of which, pupils decide which modern language they are going to study for GCSE. Irish can further be taken at AS and A2 levels. Pupils studying Irish take part in a number of feiseanna, competitions and quizzes throughout the year and can continue to attend both Easter and summer courses in the Gaeltacht. Irish is enjoying real growth in the media and in both the public and private sectors at the moment. Pupils at Assumption are learning the language in a context of revival and expansion. The girls develop an appreciation of Irish and its importance to our country’s past, present and future in an atmosphere of respect for cultural diversity in today’s world. Some of our past pupils are continuing their study of Irish at university, others are training to be teachers in the rapidly expanding Irish medium (Gaelscoil) sector. |
 |