GAELTACHT LONDAN:

A SUMMER SCHOOL WITH A DIFFERENCE

26 May 2010

Can’t afford the trip to Connemara for the holidays? Don’t worry, because at the end of June, the Gaeltacht comes to Camden Square courtesy of Dr. Séamus Ó Diollúinn.

Séamus is clearly looking forward to running this event: “This summer school promises to be an exciting mix of language, culture and literature,” he says.

“It aims to give participants a carefully chosen but enjoyable taste of all aspects of the Irish language tradition,” explains Séamus, who has taught at St. Patrick's College Drumcondra, University of Limerick, and Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.

The Gaeltacht Londan experience certainly offers a comprehensive array of activities; from basic necessities like ordering your drinks as Gaeilge, right through to loftier matters such as writing Irish love poetry.

Along the way, there are workshops on place and surnames, seminars on the Irish language outside Ireland as well as Gaelic games, céilís and trad sessions in the evenings.

It’s safe to say that this will be a week where participants are completely immersed in Irish language and culture. Séamus maintains that “at the end of the school, participants will be able to communicate in Irish on everyday topics like talking about the weather, chatting in the pub, booking a holiday in Ireland.”

Who knows? It might even be the start of a new London-Irish dialect: blas na Londaine innit?

Gaeltacht Londan runs from June 28 to July 2

For more information on the Gaeltacht Londan programme, contact:

Gary Dunne – London Irish Centre Cultural Officer

e: culture@irishcentre.org t: 020 7916 2222 i: www.irishcentre.org

Gaeltacht Londan: An Irish Language and Culture Summer School : June 28^th-Jul2 2010

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
9-11	Fáilte! Welcome session	Workshop: Learn the Irish National Anthem!	Workshop: Going out tonight? Part 2: Learn how to order your drinks in Irish!	Workshop: More fun learning Irish...	Workshop: Ever want to be an actor? This morning we pretend we are in the Gaeltacht of West Kerry
11-11.20	BREAK	BREAK	BREAK	BREAK	BREAK
11.20-1.00	Workshop: Learn how to talk to your friends in Irish	Workshop: Going out tonight? Part 1: Learn how to book your taxi a Irish!	Workshop: Find out more about Irish Surnames!	Workshop: Learn some famous English songs in Irish!	Last language workshop...learn how to keep in touch with letters, text messages and emails in Irish!
1.00-2.00	* LUNCH	* LUNCH	* LUNCH	* LUNCH	* LUNCH
2-3.15	Workshop: History of the Irish language	Workshop: Place Names of Ireland Why is the Irish for Dublin Baile Átha Cliath?	Irish Language Literature Become a warrior for the day and meet Fionn MacCumhaill and Cú Chulainn!	Irish Culture and History From sean-nós to Des Bishop!	Irish Language Literature Write a love poem in Irish!
Break	BREAK	BREAK	BREAK	BREAK	BREAK
3.40-5.00	Irish Language Media + Internet.Facebooking in Irish	Irish Language Outside Ireland. From Kerry to Boston to London	Irish Language Literature Irish books, novels and short stories	Irish History & Politics	Gaelic Games- Hurling, camogie, Gaelic Football
Optional Event 7pm start	Irish Film/ Documentary	Irish Music and Dance	Guest Lecture tbc	Concert with Oisín & Paul of Téada, Ireland’s leading traditional group.

Contact: Gary Dunne on e: culture@irishcentre.org or t: 020 7916 2222. Programme delivered by Dr. Séamus Ó Diollúinn.
* Please note that lunch will not be provided by The London Irish Centre.