As the other Thread has veered off subject:

Aindréas wrote:

quote:

I'm curious about how students (yourselves included) have learned Irish in respects to visiting or living in the Gaeltacht. I'm asking because of all the stories I read about how hard it is to hear Irish without very actively looking for it, I find it an absolute wonder that anyone can learn to speak Irish to any level of profficiency. How exactly do students utilize the Gaeltacht, as one would utilize Spain for learning Spanish?

I'm interested much in your experiences. Did you live for an extended amount of time in a Gaeltacht area, and what kind of exposure did you get to Irish there and how? Especially when everyone speaks English also, how do you manage to gain skill in the language when you can effortlessly resort to another language if you're struggling or need something? Thank you for sharing!

P.S. Aindréas does not speak Irish, sorry!

I'll repeat my advice to try to get a non tourist related job, but with the caveat that many such jobs are now occupied by immigrants. This also means going in winter rather than summer (if you can stick the weather!).

http://www.oideas-gael.com/ has a very good reputation for running immersion courses, even though Glen Colm Cille is at best a Breac Gaeltacht. They seem to be able to find committed host families.

It's a pity Jonas is not about these days; I know he got a couple of jobs in the gaeltacht.

You could always get a job in supermacs on Inis Mór. :-)
Just joking.

I was sayin this on another thread that North West Donegal is a great place to learn. I say this because i spent a good while up there on different occasions. The first being at Coláiste an Phiarsigh just outside Falcarragh. I went there for about 3 years every summer fr about a month i think. I used to cut turf with my fear an tí in the evenings and at night, i still dont know why they done it at night. It was great fun and got paid for it. No one really liked doing it though, but i did. Went back when i was 19 and stayed in the same house.. Was great, gach focal as gaeilge a fheabhas agus is féidir liom.

I can't remember exactly how to get there because i was camping and hitchhiking at the time but im sure you can get dirrections for Coláiste an Phiarsaigh on the internet and then look for accomodation when you get there. Alot of the owl fellas up there all work on the bog cuttin turf so you never know you could make a few quid while there. Nearly all the house take student so i think you could get accomodation for a few weeks.. Just a suggestion, definately better than galway gaeltacht in my opinion, no tourists because of the remoteness and all that.

Thanks for starting the new thread, Aonghus. I think there was a grand total of three posts relating to my question in the other thread … not that I mind the other discussion, but I don't like to be buried! :-) Do you know what ages Oideas Gael is willing to find host families for and for how long?

NiallMac, thanks for that information. But where exactly did you stay during these month long periods? Did you have friends or relatives there? How did learning and experiencing Irish play into your job for you?

(Message edited by Aindréas on July 25, 2006)

Aindréas,

I would suggest contacting Oideas Gael directly - they're some of the nicest and most helpful people you'll ever meet. I went to their classes two years ago and had the time of my life. You can go to their website and send them an e-mail. Someone will get back to you promptly.

When i first went i was part of the Coláiste an Phiarsaigh program. Theres loads of them around the country.. I done this for 3 years stayin in the same house and then, went back last year and stayed with the same family again but not part of the course. I didnt work too much but was cuttin turf with the oul fellas and got a bit of money fro that but not too much..
It was near the town of falcarragh, i really cant remember the exact parish/address. Falcarragh would be a great place to go

http://www.arasainbhalor.com/falcarragh.aspx

have a look at that page. Really beutiful town with a lot of pubs and alot of irish spoken there. Alot of fishermen are based there if you would like to take up Aonghus' suggesetion..

I'd say you'd easeily find a job, theres alot of restautants and pubs, its a bit like clifton but not so touristy. oh and amazing scenary.

another idea maybe Ráth Cairn.. not sure what its like though cas never been but i hear it does great courses

http://www.rathcairn.com/