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Danny2007
Member Username: Danny2007
Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2007
| Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 05:01 pm: |
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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
Member Username: Wee_falorie_man
Post Number: 154 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 08:48 pm: |
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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
Member Username: Danny2007
Post Number: 6 Registered: 12-2007
| Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 10:27 pm: |
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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) Unregistered guest Posted From:
| Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 11:33 pm: |
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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
Member Username: Wee_falorie_man
Post Number: 155 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 01:23 am: |
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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
Member Username: Danny2007
Post Number: 7 Registered: 12-2007
| Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 04:08 am: |
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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
Member Username: Suaimhneas
Post Number: 375 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 09:32 am: |
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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
Member Username: Danny2007
Post Number: 8 Registered: 12-2007
| Posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 12:57 am: |
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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
Member Username: Suaimhneas
Post Number: 376 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 09:46 am: |
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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
Member Username: Aonghus
Post Number: 6792 Registered: 08-2004
| Posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 10:44 am: |
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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
Member Username: Domhnall
Post Number: 1324 Registered: 06-2005
| Posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 05:46 pm: |
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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
Member Username: Bearn
Post Number: 352 Registered: 06-2007
| Posted on Saturday, January 19, 2008 - 12:20 am: |
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"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
Member Username: Danny2007
Post Number: 9 Registered: 12-2007
| Posted on Saturday, January 19, 2008 - 02:00 am: |
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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
Member Username: Aonghus
Post Number: 6794 Registered: 08-2004
| Posted on Saturday, January 19, 2008 - 05:33 am: |
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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
Member Username: Suaimhneas
Post Number: 377 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 09:57 am: |
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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: |
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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
Member Username: Danny2007
Post Number: 11 Registered: 12-2007
| Posted on Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 07:16 pm: |
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Noted and appreciated! |
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(Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From:
| Posted on Friday, January 25, 2008 - 08:07 am: |
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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: |
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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: |
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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: |
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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: |
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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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