The Gaelic Tongue Gains Strength in the Irish City of Doire (Derry) – Irish Language Secondary School Planned

The Ulster city of Doire, the fourth largest city in Ireland, has seen the growth of the Gaelic tongue in recent years.  Derry is home to a unique initiative which aims to create a Gaeltacht Quarter in the city where the language of daily commerce is Gaelic. The focal point of this effort is the Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, a purpose-built Irish language, cultural and enterprise center based in the Walled City's historic Great James Street area.  The Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin is intended to act as a hub for Gaelic cultural groups and has been hailed as a catalyst for Celtic language enthusiasts. The website “City of Culture 2013” describes the Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin as “heralding the beginning of a new era for the Irish Language and culture in the North West region (of Ireland)”. 

In a another sign of the strength of the revival of the Gaelic language in Derry is the announcement this week that Saint Brigid’s College/ Coláiste Bhríde has extended an invitation to the parents of students currently enrolled in Gaelic medium primary education to join with Coláiste Bhríde in the planning process for the establishment of a secondary Gaelic Medium school in the city. This initiative is reported by the Derry Journal in an article under the headline, “Coláiste Bhríde Take On Irish Medium Gap - St Brigid’s College in Derry Have Issued an Invitation to Parents of Irish-Medium Primary Pupils to Plan Secondary (Irish Medium) Provision”.

Brigid's Cross  

The article quotes Liam Ó Cuinneagáin, Principal at Coláiste Bhríde, in his invitation to the parents:  “We would like to ascertain your views on Irish-Medium post-primary education. We would also like to outline for you the school’s vision for Irish-Medium for the Derry and Strabane area and to show you the facilities available in the school. The school leadership recognised that a gap existed with regards to Irish-Medium Education in that there was no suitable provision for those pupils who wished to continue their education through the medium of Irish. Therefore, the school leadership decided that St Brigid’s College/Coláiste Bhríde, with the goodwill and expertise that exists in the school, should fill this gap...”

The actions taken by Saint Brigid’s College/ Coláiste Bhríde should be viewed in the larger context of the steady growth of Irish Medium education in the face of tepid support from Dublin and Belfast. According to the website of Gaelscoileanna Teo, a voluntary organisation founded in 1973 to help and support Irish medium education at both the primary and secondary level, there has been a steady increase in the number of Irish medium secondary schools. Between 1973 and 2013, the number of primary Irish medium schools outside the Gaeltacht (Irish Language Areas) have increased 1400% from 10 to 144 and secondary schools 700% from 5 to 36.  

http://www.gaelscoileanna.ie/en/about/

http://www.stbrigidscollegederry.com/index.php/info/about-us

http://www.derryjournal.com/news/colaiste-bhride-take-on-irish-medium-ga...