Irish language summer courses for adult learners in the Donegal Gaeltacht
Where are these places? While all the courses listed below take place in the Gaeltacht, the strongest Gaelic-speaking localities are Gortahork and Gweedore, neighbouring coastal districts in the north-west corner of Donegal; and Loughanure, about 10 miles to the south. Aranmore Island is about 10 miles to the west of Loughanure. Downings is on the north coast, about 30 miles to the east of Gortahork. Glencolumbkille is on the coast in the south-west corner of Donegal, and Glenfinn is in the mountains in the centre of the county. Scenery in all cases is top-class.
What is taught and by whom? The location of a course in a Gaeltacht is not always a guarantee that the regional form of Irish will be taught, or that your teachers will be local people. If you are interested in learning to converse comfortably with the local people, you should check before booking whether Ulster Irish or Standard Irish is to be taught. (If they don't know the difference, try somewhere else!)
Who goes to these courses? Oideas Gael has an element of international clientele, whereas the other courses are patronised mainly by learners from within Ireland.
The information below is taken from literature produced by the course organisers, and its current applicability should be checked before booking.
Language courses in 2007:
9 July–15 July 2007 (oriented towards families and adults)
Three levels of spoken Ulster Irish.
Other types of course available.
Inquiries to:
Alice Nic Giolla Chearr
Coláiste Uladh
Gort a' Choirce
Condae Dhún na nGall
Ireland
Guthán: +353 74 91 65822
Ríomhphost: dailuladh@eircom.net
Language courses in 2007:
23 July–27 July 2007
30 July–3 August 2007
All standards catered for. One or two weeks.
Inquiries to:
Máire Nic Oscair,
8 Magheralane Road,
Randalstown,
Co Antrim
BT41 2NT
Guthán: +44 28 9447 2922
Language courses in 2007:
1–7 April 2007
7–14 April 2007
9–16 June 2007
16–23 June 2007
23–30 June 2007
30 June–7 July 2007
7–14 July 2007
14–21 July 2007
28 July–4 August 2007 (Glenfinn)
4–11 August 2007
11–18 August 2007
18–25 August 2007
Weekend courses
1–4 June 2007
26–29 October 2007
Other types of course available. International reputation.
Inquiries to:
Oideas Gael
Gleann Cholm Cille
Contae Dhún na nGall
Éire
Guthán: +353 7497 30248
Facs: +353 7497 30348
Ríomhphost: oifig@oideas-gael.com
Language courses in 2007:
8–14 July 2007
5–11 August 2007
Inquiries to:
Gael-Linn
35 Sráid an Dáma
Baile Átha Cliath 2
Éire
Guthán: +353 1 6751200
Facs: +353 1 6704180
Ríomhphost: eolas@gael-linn.ie
No adult course information on website since 2005, when dates were:
Language (six levels):
15–20 August 2005
Primary teachers:
8–12 August 2005
Currently, courses seem to be for under-18s only, see here
Currently, the website carries no contact address, phone number, or e-mail,
but the following old information may still be valid:
Inquiries to:
Taisce Árainn Teoranta
Árainn Mhór
Co. Dhún na nGall
Ireland
Guthán: +353 7495 21593
Facs: +353 7495 21593
Ríomhphost: cursai@arainnmhor.com
No course information on website since 2004, when dates were:
12–17 Iúil 2004
19–24 Iúil 2004
26–31 Iúil 2004
02–07 Lúnasa 2004
Three levels of conversational Ulster Irish. Up to four weeks.
Inquiries to:
An Chrannóg
Srath na Corcra
Na Doirí Beaga
Leitir Ceanainn
Co Dhún na nGall, Éire
Guthán: +353 74 95 32188
Facs: +353 74 95 32189
Ríomhphost: eolas@crannog.ie
No course information since 2002, when dates were 7–12 April 2002, 6–11 October 2002. Website no longer available.
Two levels of spoken Ulster Irish, local teachers. Other types of course available.
Inquiries to:
Ionad Cultúir Gaeltachta Dhún na nGall
Loch an Iubhair
Anagaire
Co Dhún na nGall
Ireland
Guthán/Facs: +353 75 48081
Ríomhphost: reservations@lochgael.com
No information since 2002, when dates were 21–28 July 2002.
Emphasis on catering for the family.
Inquiries to:
Cumann an Phiarsaigh
An Chnoc
Muineachán
Co. Mhuineacháin
Ireland
Guthán: +353 47 84315
Ríomhphost: caph@gofree.indigo.ie