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The Daltaí Boards » Archive: 2005- » 2008 (January- February) » Archive through February 07, 2008 » Having a hard time picking a course in the Gaeltacht « Previous Next »

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Danny2007
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Username: Danny2007

Post Number: 5
Registered: 12-2007


Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 05:01 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Here's the situation:

I'll be back in Ireland in April. I lived there for much of 2005/2006 so settling in won't really be an issue.

I was hoping to take the two week Adult course at Áras Mhairtín Uí Chadhain in Ceathrú Rua but it's now clear that it will be too advanced for me. (Irish-only environment, 2-3 years of previous intensive study required etc...)

The thing is, they offer 4 week courses for non-Irish nationals that would be perfect for me, except the price is too steep. Almost €2000 w/ shared accom. That's almost $2800 CAD!!!

So I'm in a bit of a bind. I'd really like to take a course in a fíor Gaeltacht in Conamara for a couple of weeks. Specifically one for a high beginner or elementary level learner. But how?

Alternatives would be Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh and Oideas Gael in Gleann Cholm Cille. But I've heard a lot of the time spent on those courses is on things like walking and music, not the language itself.
I think there's a course or two in Gaoth Dobhair by Gael Linn as well.

Any suggestions? Have you attended any of these schools? Are there any others in the Gaeltacht that I'm missing out on?

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Wee_falorie_man
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Username: Wee_falorie_man

Post Number: 154
Registered: 04-2006
Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 08:48 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Well, I went on a two week course with "Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne" in An Buailtín (Baile An Fheirtéaraigh) last summer and it was great!

There are three levels of classes (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) that start at 9:30 in the morning and end at 3:30 with two breaks and a half hour for lunch. There are optional cultural activities every evening and on the week-end. I think I paid somewhere around 400 euro not including room and board. The class was really hard but I learnt alot and spoke Irish every day at school and in town - Come to think of it, I don't think I heard a word of English while I was in Chorca Dhuibhne.

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Danny2007
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Username: Danny2007

Post Number: 6
Registered: 12-2007


Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 10:27 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Go raibh maith 'ad. I've been browsing their website but I can't find any contact info. Just a reservation form.
http://www.corca-dhuibhne.com/acourses.html

I'd likely fall into the Post-Beginners category that they have there. July 21-August 1.

Mind if I ask you some questions here?

Can you book accom. (like with a local Irish speaking family) with them or do you find your own? Do they tend to focus on Munster Irish or is it dialect-neutral?

I'm glad to know that you didn't hear much English while you were there. I know in some courses (especially at Oideas Gael), people often switch to English as soon as they get out of the classroom. Which sort of defeats the purpose of the classes.

Any help is appreciated. I've barely found ANY info on this course online.

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(Unregistered Guest)
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Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 11:33 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

It is terrific to read what Wee falorie man has to say. With that attitude its no wonder he learned Irish. If its not too late Danny you could try for accomodation in a fine Gaeltacht B and B near Ballydavid, West Kerry. Its called 'An Riasc' and its run by Mrs Denise Begley or was some years ago when i stayed there. email:

Seanfhear

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Wee_falorie_man
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Username: Wee_falorie_man

Post Number: 155
Registered: 04-2006
Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 01:23 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

After registering for the class, they sent me a list of all the B & B's, hostels, etc. in the area. There are a couple of hostels nearby if you want to save some money but they don't give you your own private room so it might be hard to get any studying done; also, they are both outside of the actual town so it is not very convenient if you are walking. There is a real nice hotel right next door to the school but I was told that it is very expensive. I think the best thing to do is stay at a B & B that is actually IN the town so that you won't have any trouble getting to and from school.

As for dialect, my class (the beginner's class) was taught by a person whose family is originally from Connemara but she was careful to point out the local way of saying things whenever there was a difference between the two dialects. The advanced class was taught by a fellow from Munster and I don't know where the intermediate teacher was from.

One last thing, I was told by other students that Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne is a very small, out of the way place, when compared to the bigger, more widely advertised schools. The classes are pretty intense, but if you don't mind hard work and burning a little midnight oil, you will definitely learn a lot - Have fun!

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Danny2007
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Username: Danny2007

Post Number: 7
Registered: 12-2007


Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 04:08 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

GRMA. That's really helpful, wee falorie man. I'll definitely be looking into it further. Right now I'm trying to pick between Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne and Oideas Gael.

Seanfhear,

I appreciate your help too!

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Suaimhneas
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Username: Suaimhneas

Post Number: 375
Registered: 08-2006
Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 09:32 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Being a local resident (at least part of the time) I would naturally recommend Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne. That area is a fior-Ghaeltacht, but also a tourist magnet, especially in late-July. So you will hear an awful lot of English at that time of year. Just don't want you to be disappointed on that score.

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Danny2007
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Username: Danny2007

Post Number: 8
Registered: 12-2007


Posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 12:57 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Good point. It's sort of unavoidable, isn't it? Most classes are held in the Summer months. Whether it's west Kerry, NW Donegal or Conamara, there are always plenty of students and people out on holiday there. Oh well.

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Suaimhneas
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Username: Suaimhneas

Post Number: 376
Registered: 08-2006
Posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 09:46 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

If you do opt for Corca Dhuibhne, I'd be happy to point you to the places where you will get good conversation as Gaeilge, even in the height of the tourist season. Aounghus knows the place very well also

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Aonghus
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Username: Aonghus

Post Number: 6792
Registered: 08-2004


Posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 10:44 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Is fíor san.
There are several places just slightly off the tourist track.
My practice there is to speak Irish first unless the person opposite is clearly a foreigner (and even then I'll likely try).

I've never had any trouble.

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Domhnall
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Username: Domhnall

Post Number: 1324
Registered: 06-2005


Posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 05:46 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Oideas-Gael courses are highly spoken of and our President even graces their classes. However, Donegal could (but not necessarily) be harder for you depending on if you're used to Ulster Irish or not.

My friends dad went to a course in An Cheathrú Rua for 2 weeks a few months back. He had the time of his life and learned a huge amount too.

In relation to be submersed in the language, that is the best way to learn. You'll get an ear for it and so long as you have your foclóir handy and ask questions you should be a master of the language in no time!

A people without a language of its own is only half a nation.A nation should guard its language more than its territories, 'tis a surer barrier and a more important frontier than mountain or river

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Bearn
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Username: Bearn

Post Number: 352
Registered: 06-2007


Posted on Saturday, January 19, 2008 - 12:20 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

"In relation to be submersed in the language, that is the best way to learn"

Learn what? In the summer I found that the teachers in the Oideas Gael course were modifying their Irish to conform to the students. They were speaking without even relative sentences or much in the way of clauses, apart from the use of 'like' and 'yunno'.

When I asked about this, I was told "that's what they expect". Lovely.

I wonder how much putting off learning people do, saying to themselves the the course will magically put Irish in their heads.

le díol

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Danny2007
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Username: Danny2007

Post Number: 9
Registered: 12-2007


Posted on Saturday, January 19, 2008 - 02:00 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Thanks for the offer Suaimhneas. The idea of being able to have a decent conversation i nGaeilge seems pretty remote right now. Hopefully that will change in the months that follow.

Are you specifically referring to spots in An Buailtín/Baile an Fheirtéaraigh? Or Baile na nGall and An Fheothanach too?

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Aonghus
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Username: Aonghus

Post Number: 6794
Registered: 08-2004


Posted on Saturday, January 19, 2008 - 05:33 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

The region. It's not that big - I've walked big chunks of it in an afternoon.

But i've spoken Irish in pubs in an Buailtín. And the locals are usually to be found in a quiet corner.

(Message edited by aonghus on January 19, 2008)

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Suaimhneas
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Username: Suaimhneas

Post Number: 377
Registered: 08-2006
Posted on Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 09:57 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Aonghus is quite correct about the pubs. In fact, in Bric's (my particular favourite) you'll find the Gaeilgiori clustred at one end of the bar, even if the rest of the pub is empty.

The lady who runs the book shop in the Blasket Centre is only delighted to talk to anyone as gaeilge, even those who have only a smidgin. There are lots and lots of places where you'll get a very warm welcome, even with just a "Go raibh maith agat" or a "Slan anois"

Tigh Slea Head - a great shop and cafe at Cumeeneole,
Tigh Aine - a nice cafe in Dun Chaoin
TP's pub in Baile na nGall
Louis Mulcahy's pottery - where, iot seems to me, Gaeilge is the working language of the staff
An Sean Che - the Old Pier Restaurant near Feothanach - where the owner welcomes everybody as Gaeilge

I was delighted to see that a huge new hardware/furniture store MacGearailt's in An Daingean (or Fitzy's as its known locally) gives precedence to An Gaeilge over English in all it's signage.

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Aonghus
Member
Username: Aonghus

Post Number: 6810
Registered: 08-2004


Posted on Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 10:35 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Ar an nGráig atá Tigh Áine (near Dún Chaoin)

An Seanna Ché is excellent.

The pottery/café in Dún Chaoin is also worth a mention.

Louis Mulchahy is a blow in Dub with a Danish wife; but he is proud of Irish, and encourages it's use. You can have a go ag throwing pots in Tigín an Dearúd. But you won't get them fired.

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Danny2007
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Username: Danny2007

Post Number: 11
Registered: 12-2007


Posted on Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 07:16 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Noted and appreciated!

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(Unregistered Guest)
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Posted From:
Posted on Friday, January 25, 2008 - 08:07 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

How could we let the opportunity slip by without giving a well deserved plug for 'An Caifé Liteartha' in An Daingean, run by Seosamh Ó Luasa, where you can browse or buy from a great selection of Irish books, have a cup of coffee, chat up the staff and check the newspapers, all in Irish. They may even have an internet facility by now as its a few years since I was there.

The staff of the Acquarium were mostly young Irish speaking students though not necessarily all native speakers, and there was also a nice little cafe at the end of the pier, at the harbour itself, run by a young couple. He is a good Irish speaker from the district.

Don't forget to have a look at Cape Clear Island in West Cork its a small but interesting Gaeltacht too.

Seanfhear

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Aonghus
Member
Username: Aonghus

Post Number: 6811
Registered: 08-2004


Posted on Friday, January 25, 2008 - 08:27 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Is fíor dhuit.

Laoch isea Seoirse; ach mholfhainn fanacht laistiar den Daingean.

Eachtrannaigh is mó a bhí ag obair i Mara Beo le dhá bhliain anuas.

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Seanfhear
Member
Username: Seanfhear

Post Number: 53
Registered: 08-2007
Posted on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 10:27 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

An ceart ar fad agat, a dhuin' uasail. Maith dom mo bhotún, a Sheoirse.

Dála an scéil, ar léigh sibh i nGaelport go bhfuil sé beartaithe ag Ollscoil na Gaillí campus Gaelach a thógaint i mBaile an Fheirtéirigh? Bíodh An Buailtín ina phriomh bhaile Gaeltacht na Mumhan agus don diabhal le 'Dingle,' let it dangle, outside the Gaeltacht if thats what its citizens really want.

Seanfhear

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Aonghus
Member
Username: Aonghus

Post Number: 6816
Registered: 08-2004


Posted on Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 12:55 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Bheadh sin ceart go leor dá mbeadh an Comhairle Contae, an t-ospidéal 7 rl ar an mBuailtín.


Níl fiú oifig an phoist ann faoi láthair....

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Domhnall
Member
Username: Domhnall

Post Number: 1332
Registered: 06-2005


Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 09:08 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Bhíos ag caint le fear ag an deireadh seachtaine gur as Gleann Cholm Cille é. Thit an lug as an lag mar gheall ar úsáid na Gaeilge sa cheantar le déanaí. Níl mórán Gaeilge le cloisteáil sa cheantar faraor.

A people without a language of its own is only half a nation.A nation should guard its language more than its territories, 'tis a surer barrier and a more important frontier than mountain or river



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