The Summer Week
Immersion Program

Every summer, a group of Gaeilgeoirí come together in New York under the sponsorship of Daltaí na Gaeilge (Students of the Irish Language). The participants come from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Canada and many other places. Usually, there are between 40 and 60 participants in attendance.

Why, you may ask, would that many people come together like that? In order to learn and practice speaking the Irish Language, of course! How do they do it? Read on and find out for yourself.

When you arrive at the big house in the country, you will meet Ethel Brogan, that noble woman, who is in charge of the weeklong program. She will give you a big, heart-felt welcome. Then, she will show you to your bedroom, a place where you will soon meet with new friends!

The classes begin on Monday morning. There are beginners' classes, intermediate classes and advanced classes available. You will have one teacher for all of the morning classes and a different teacher each afternoon. Since every teacher has a different style, you will receive a wide variety of lessons - stories, poems, songs, grammar and fascinating conversations.

After the classes each day you will have a chance to rest. If you enjoy swimming, there is a fine swimming pool there. Or perhaps you would prefer a quiet walk through the woods.

Have you ever played Pictionary 'as Gaeilge' (in Irish) before? Well, this is your chance. In the evenings, the Gaeilgeoirí gather together playing games like Scrabble (as Gaeilge, of course), cards, twenty questions, etc. Or maybe they will be watching videotapes in Irish - cartoons, dramas or historical pieces. And the entire time, the musicians among us are playing, the singers are singing and there is every sort of 'craic' (sport, good times) going on.

We also have one free day during the week. The adventurous crowd like to go tubing on the Esopus River. But the more sensible people prefer to visit other places such as Hyde Park or Woodstock. Make your own choice.

Our time runs out too quickly. But, at the end of the week, you will have vastly improved Irish, lots of new friends and an adundance of stories to share with your friends.

The Year 2008 Summer Week Immersion Program will be held August 24th to August 30th 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!