The May
Immersion Weekend

Daltaí na Gaeilge (Students of the Irish Language) offers a variety of programs throughout the year to help students learn and use the Irish language. Each program is different, but the immersion weekends held each February and May are very similar to one another. These programs are held at the Marist Center in a beautifully wooded location in Esopus, New York.

Accommodations at the Marist Center are dormitory style - with both single beds and bunkbeds. Meals are served cafeteria style. If you spent summers at camp, you will know what to expect. Bring your own sheets, towels, toiletries, etc. A sleeping bag or extra blanket can be handy if the weather turns cold. Jeans, sweats, etc. are the uniform of the day with something a little nicer for the céilí (Irish music and dancing) on Saturday evening.

Most people bring snacks to share - cake, cookies, soda bread, fruit, cheese and crackers are always welcome. Moderate use of alcohol is permitted at evening gatherings, so bring along your favorite 'deoch'. Refrigeration is also available.

Both weekends offer a special feature - "the one-on-one" - where students are paired with teachers or other fluent speakers for a short time to walk the grounds conversing 'as Gaeilge' as much as possible. You get the chance to practice your conversation skills, ask some burning questions and get to know another Gaeilgeoir.

Friday night's schedule begins with a crash phrase course for beginners, a song workshop and a short meeting where students and teachers are introduced. After that you are free to sit around and chat with others, raid the snack table, have a "cuppa" or just hang out.

Saturday morning comes all too early, so it's up for breakfast and then on to class. You will need pens, a notebook and of course your 'foclóir' (dictionary). A small tape recorder is also useful.

The classes are small and informal, lasting about an hour and a half to two hours. There are two classes on Saturday and one on Sunday morning. There are also lectures as well as workshops in music, dancing, etc. during the day on Saturday.

On Saturday evening, mass is said in Irish for those who wish to attend. Dinner follows and then a social evening, starting with a 'seisiún' where fellow students sing, dance play music, recite, etc. Polish up your "party piece" and join in. After this, a céilí is held where you can put to use the steps you learned during the afternoon's Irish dance workshop. The céilí ends at midnight with the "Grand March", but stick around for the 'craic' that follows.

Sunday morning - breakfast, class, the 'crinniú', lunch and then it's "back again to stern reality". Another weekend is over. Where did the time go? And when is the next one?

The Spring program 2010 will be held on Mother's Day weekend, May 7th to 9th in Esopus, New York. The Official Announcement and Registration Form for this event will be posted here 6 to 8 weeks before the scheduled date.

Bí linn! - Join us!