Ar dúradh fúinn
Ó cuireadh tús le hOideas Gael i 1984, tá na mílte duine as achan chearn den domhan tar éis freastal ar an réimse leathan de chúrsaí. Tá aird domhanda meallta ag an tionscnamh fuinniúil seo...
“I've been planning this trip for a year. It makes me so happy. We are naturally speaking Irish and it’s not forced in any way. It’s exciting and it makes me feel hopeful about Irish. I have become a bit evangelical about it. Now I want to do something to support it and promote the language.”
“At Oideas Gael, tourism becomes part of a national effort to conserve the past while making Irish appealing to the modern world.”
“Many Americans make the summer pilgrimage to the Glen to immerse themselves in the Irish language where Oideas Gael, founded in 1984, hosts an abundance of Gaeilge classes, as well as archaeological, music and cultural offerings.”
“The Irish language has 14 words for salmon, 32 for fields, and 45 for stones, offering “unique ways” of seeing nature and “being in the world,” says Manchán Magan, author of Thirty-Two Words for Field.”
“In Donegal, the village of Gleann Cholm Cille has been revived as an Irish haven. Despite the historical challenges, the community in the Gaeltacht areas is fighting for the survival of the Celtic language. But everything does not end in the west: from Dublin to Belfast, initiatives to promote the language have multiplied.”
“Bhí mé in ann a lán Gaeilge a labhairt agus feabhas a chur ar mo chuid Gaeilge. Bhuail mé le daoine iontacha agus bhain mé taitneamh as nádúr iontach Dhún na nGall. Ar an iomlán ní dhéanfaidh mé dearmad ar an gcúrsa agus ar mo chuid ama i nGleann Cholm Cille le fada an lá.”
“Tá mé an-sásta leis an am a chaith mé in Oideas Gael, bhí an fhoireann go hiontach.”
“I also recommend a multi-day cultural program at Oideas Gael, an educational center that adds a special sauce to this remarkable destination. The Gaelic language courses here are renowned, and you can also learn to play the Irish harp, weave tapestries, paint landscapes, or join a walking group. The Fr. James MacDyer Archaeology School is my favorite offering at Oideas Gael. I love joining archaeologists and students to explore the area's prehistoric court tombs, portal dolmens, and forts dating back up to 6,000 years ago…”
“Feel life has become overwhelming and that you are keeping too many balls in the air at once? Step off the treadmill by immersing yourself in culture in the isolated splendour of Glencolumbkille, Co Donegal. Cultural courses are organised bilingually, making them particularly attractive to people who want to improve their Irish while enjoying an active and educational holiday.”
“Leading lights in Irish politics, journalism and theatre make their way annually to this Oideas Gael flagship festival in Gleann Cholm Cille, Southwest Donegal. Morning Irish language classes are followed by afternoon workshops in set-dancing, sean-nós dancing, Italian cooking by our favourite Sicilian chef, Salvatore, hill-walking, bodhrán and flute playing all offer the participants a wide choice in developing music and dancing skills. Evening concerts, book launches and lectures are attended by the 120 participants, many of whom return year after year.”
“The teachers are unbelievable and while it takes a while to get your mind focused, by the end of the week you get more confident. It's a totally wonderful way to spend a week. You might think you've no Irish at all but it will come back to you... There's an untamed beauty here and there's a mystery to discover here. When I talk to people there's a certain Irish spirit of never having been conquered. I haven't quite figured it out.”
“I think there are people all over the world that really would like to learn Irish... People came to America, or Australia, or Canada a long time ago, they do remember that's where their people came from and I think the language is a cool part of that.”
“Chuir mi seachdain anabarrach math agus inntinneach seachad as t-samhradh aig a’ Cholaiste Ghàidhlig, Oideas Gael, ann an Dùn nan Gall, an ceann an iar-thuath na h-Èireann.”
“Given the rich folklore and natural beauty on the centre's doorstep, outdoor pursuits are also interwoven into the itinerary. One afternoon, I embark on a guided hike towards St Colmcille's chapel ruins, beneath the magnificent backdrop of the Slieve League Cliffs. With views and heritage like this, no wonder they call it the Celtic Camino.”
“'I met Americans, Swiss, Australians and even an Israeli soldier learning the cupla focal [few words],' says Sarah Ryder, assistant commissioning editor at RTÉ, who brushed up her skills in the island’s north west. 'The setting is amazing and it’s the best fun. Like being on a school trip, but with no curfew!' New Yorker Séamas Ó Feinneadh found himself in at the deep end at Oideas Gael, too. 'My teacher spoke a mile a minute, but she and the rest of the class were sympathetic, and convinced me – the only Poncán (Yank) – to remain in the class. It was such a thrill being among Irish speakers that I really didn't care what class I was in.'”
“Oideas means “formula”, and a key principle is that relaxation and lack of pressure are central to the learning process... The effect is magical, as the mysteries of the spoken tongue are revealed. We learn to distinguish sounds, (“dhá dhath dheasa”), recognise seven different Ls and cope with the trickiest of beasts, the “ng” which arises when “in Galway” becomes i nGaillimh. The “ng” sound is the same as that of “song” or “long” and only confuses because it appears at the start of a word.”
“I went off to the Gaeltacht, to Oideas Gael in Gleann Cholm Cille, and they really motivated me, and I made friends through the language. And when you see it as this living thing then the courses don't matter, you can get your point across and it makes the world of difference.”
“The best way to learn about the 5,000 years of history here is to attend the weeklong archaeology school offered here in August by Oideas Gael...”
“'The importance of Glencolumcille in terms of Ireland’s archaeological heritage cannot be overstated,' said Dr. Herity. 'The Neolithic and early Christian remains here are in very good condition, and reveal much for scholars as well as curious visitors.'”
“The thing is, just because you’re having fun doesn’t mean you’re not learning. In fact, the opposite is true… having fun makes it possible for you to learn more effectively. You relax, you make friends, you let go of your inhibitions. You find yourself trying more… worrying less about the mistakes. That’s a big (huge!) key when it comes to conversation. You CAN’T hold a conversation if you’re constantly running to the dictionary or the grammar book. You have to let go.”
Leo Varadkar, An tAire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt ag caint faoi "The Gathering 2013" agus an tseachtain a chaith sé linn i nGleann Cholm Cille.
“Visit Oideas Gael, one of the hidden gems of Donegal’s Gaeltacht area and leave with Irish language phrases that will connect you with the people you meet on your wild Atlantic Way journey. Oideas Gael has attracted hundreds of participants annually to its highly acclaimed language courses and cultural programmes. Irish people, drawn from all backgrounds, constitute up to half of those attending, while the remainder travel, especially from numerous other parts of the world, to attend.”
“You know you’ve been studying Irish too long when your idea of a dream vacation changes from two weeks at Club Med to two weeks at Oideas Gael...”
Daniel O'Donnell i mbosca na faoistine ar Bharrscéalta
“An bhfuil Gaeilge agat? Would you like to learn some Irish and more about the Irish culture while visiting Ireland? Then a summer course at Oideas Gael in Glencolmcille, County Donegal, might be the place to start.”
“A quixotic pursuit in a remote corner of Donegal. Just what prompted me to devote a week-almost 50 rigorous hours of class time-to the study of the Irish language at the Oideas Gael summer school in Glencolmcille, Donegal, I cannot fully explain...”
“Irish Language School Superb Cultural Experience”
'The Irish Language: An Overview and Guide' by Darerca Ní Chartúir is a book that provides a wealth of information to all those interested in the language. And its appendix contains a story written for the book by an American who attended a summer course at Oideas Gael. The story gives a vibrant description of his experiences at the school.“Irish Language School Superb Cultural Experience”
“An increasing number of Protestants are showing an interest in the Irish language, a language that they regard as being part of their own heritage... Says Liam. Peoples' reasons for learning Irish are as varied as the people who come to us... During the summer, Gleann Cholm Cille takes on a truly international flavour, with people from countries like America, Germany, Austria, France and Japan... A little taste of heaven.”
“Oideas Gael is proud of the advanced techniques used by the teachers on its courses and many of the Irish language teachers, based in Britain, have spent a week or two in Glencolmcille to see how they do things there. Liam Ó Cuinneagáin said to me, "It was tremendous to see the level of interest that exists in England. People who learn the language there, despite the difficulties involved, are an example to the people of Ireland.”
“Lá grianmhar eile... deas te arís, dochreidte, seo é Gleann Cholm Cille in Aibreán; bíonn sé grianmhar lá i ndiaidh lae...”
“Over in the corner of the pub I saw a stocky local lad, sunk low on a stool, nursing his pint. He was the epitome of Irish reserve, hiding his blunt face from the crowd, as his fellow men and women crowed, "C' mon Jimmy, give us a song". After a few minutes of gentle coercion, Jimmy slowly drained his beer, stood up and began singing The Ballad of Glencolmcille, his throaty treble crooning a Gaelic love song to his birthplace.”
“I really enjoyed my most recent weekend in Oideas Gael… it is very important, I feel, to immerse myself in this all-Irish environment from time to time, because the opportunities to speak as Gaeilge down here are very few and far between.”
“To experience the ‘real’ Ireland, look beyond the beauty and immerse yourself in the culture ... to get to the heart of the Irish experience, you’ll want to get out of the car and delve into the culture, particularly the 6,000 years of history and the craic (good times) among the locals ... For a sampling of Irish culture, Glencolmcille, located in a Gaeltacht district of County Donegal, is a stronghold of Gaelic language and age-old traditions. Here, you can explore Irish culture and learn new skills at Oideas Gael.”
“Heute ist es wieder eine Frage des nationalen Stolzes, Irisch, also Gälisch, zu sprechen… Wie sonst nirgendwo in Irland leben die Menschen in dem kleinen Tal Glencolumbkille – gälisch: Gleann Cholm Cille – von ihren Sprachkenntnissen: Hier leitet Liam Ó Cuinneagáin seit 1991 Oideas Gael, eine Organisation, die die irische Sprache und Kultur fördert und im Tal das College betreibt. Die Schule, die sowohl Iren als auch Ausländer – und sogar Briten – in Irisch unterrichtet, vermittelt Grundkenntnisse schon innerhalb von zwei Wochen.”
“Remote as Glencolmcille is, observes Charles Lysaght, it attracts a diverse gathering of people to Donegal each year, wishing to immerse themselves in Irish language and culture... In a place like Glencolmcille the joy and laughter of that pure-souled enthusiasm is rekindled. It is one of the most enriching experiences I have come across in this country.”
“Young, free agus singil... Even set dancing can vertically express a sexual desire'. Djinn Gallagher travelled to Oideas Gael in County Donegal, "and had as much fun as you can have with your clothes on... outside in the warm starry night, the students exchange addresses and feel sad.”
“In the magic valley of Glencolmcille in south Donegal, a second community project is under way which has as one of its many aims the staunching of the death-wound, which has bled this isolated society of so much.”
“It's a special place in an unspoiled environment-an escape from the clamour and pollution of cities for Irish and foreigners alike. The captivating landscape is dominated by sheer cliffs and a restless Atlantic.”
“In the heady days of summer, Joseph Fitzpatrick followed the footsteps of Colmcille to Donegal to learn Irish and came home with an inspiration for life... At Oideas Gael I met in a week more nationalities and personalities than I would normally experience in a year... Liam says of Oideas Gael, "It has to be the most amazing experience of my life. People are drawn to what we are doing. There is an enrichment that brings people back year after year."”
“Is mise Xavi agus is as Catalunya mé. Just a few words to say that last August I attended a course on Irish for absolute beginners at Oideas Gael. The quality of the teaching was excellent and the atmosphere was beyond compare. Lovely Irish music everywhere, good-humoured dances at the ceili, beautiful landscapes and friendly people always willing to talk to you. Go raibh math agat.”