Newsletter: Autumn 2023
Website Updates
We're thrilled with the support shown to our annual membership program at Gaeltacht an Oileáin Úir, and our new learning website. Our goal is to seamlessly connect language and culture, enabling learners to explore topics that genuinely captivate their interest.
Our not-for-profit operates a physical Gaeltacht property in Tamworth, Ontario, where we host our summer immersion camp. We also run online immersion events in November and February. Your membership directly supports our efforts to promote the Irish language, including organizing immersive events throughout the year and developing our physical Gaeltacht into a thriving destination for learners and speakers. As a member, you become an integral part of our Gaeltacht community, granting you the privilege to vote during our Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and actively participate in shaping and guiding the future growth of our organization.
For thousands of years, the Irish people have gazed at the night sky to learn and explore. Our ancestors built special places like Newgrange over 5,000 years ago that perfectly match the stars' patterns. Sadly, almost all our words for stars and constellations were lost during the darkest days of colonization. Come learn what parts of our night sky knowledge survived, and print out a star map to explore the universe through Gaelic eyes.
https://www.gaeilge.ca/culture/world-around-us#stars
November Irish Immersion Series
Saturdays and Sundays, November 18-19 & 25-26, 2023
Bígí Linn! We are thrilled to extend a warm invitation to you from Gaeltacht an Oileáin Úir, our Irish-speaking community, to join our captivating autumn immersion series, Féile na Samhna. This event takes place virtually - join us from anywhere!
Language Classes:
Immerse yourself in the Irish language with classes tailored to different proficiency levels, accommodating everyone from complete beginners to fluent speakers. We strive for a comfortable, positive atmosphere in and out of class so you are at your ease when practicing and speaking.
Workshops:
Explore the richness of Irish culture with engaging workshops, including a session on Celtic knotwork with Janet Gaylord and a talk on "Linguistic Anxiety" with Dónall Ó Dubhghaill, what is it and how to overcome it. We hope that these sessions enrich your language journey.
Registration:
Join us for Féile na Samhna 2023 and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Irish language and culture. Reserve your spot today and become part of this extraordinary experience. Registration closes November 5th. Bígí linn!
https://www.gaeilge.ca/events/november-irish-immersion-2023
Standing Meeting for Volunteers
First Sunday of each month, 7pm
We are pleased to announce a new, once-a-month, standing meeting for our working groups and volunteers (and those thinking of volunteering). In these meetings, the objectives will be discussed as will the tasks that require help. These virtual sessions will foster collaboration, inspire innovative ideas, and strengthen your connections with fellow volunteers. We sincerely hope that this opportunity will encourage more individuals to volunteer for our working groups. Together, we can achieve remarkable outcomes and make a lasting impact on our organization and the community we serve.
To receive the meeting link, please RSVP
Working Groups and Language Lessons
We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the exceptional individuals leading our working groups and the dedicated members who contribute behind the scenes. Without their unwavering dedication, our organization wouldn't be able to achieve even a fraction of what we do. Their commitment is truly inspiring!
We offer free virtual language meet-ups exclusively for our working group members. These sessions aim to help our volunteers achieve functional fluency, foster collaboration, and provide support in their language learning journeys.
Let's take a quick look at the updates submitted by each group (in the language in which they were submitted to us):
🔹 Athbhreithniú Curaclaim / Curriculum Review: Curriculum development is working on Adapting the TEG into a workable curriculum to suit our students needs in developing their language skills.
🔹 Tiomsú Airgid / Fundraising: Rannchuidiú le liosta cuimsitheach de dheiseanna deontais bliantúla agus a spriocdhátaí a chruthú chun inbhuanaitheacht airgeadais ár n-eagraíochta a chinntiú, leis an aidhm go mbeidh na hacmhainní againn chun bothán nua a thógaint ar shuíomh na Gaeltachta.
🔹 Tumoideachas / Immersion: Bhí bua againn le Tumsheachtain an tSamhraidh le timpeall ar 50 duine ag freastal ar shuíomh fisiciúil na Gaeltachta i mí Lughnasa le teanga na Gaeilge a labhairt agus ár gcultúr a cheiliúradh. Tá an coiste pleanála i lár báire Féile na Samhna a chur ar bun i mí na Samhna.
🔹 Leabharlann agus Cartlann / Library and Archives: Faoi láthair, tá an coiste ag obair ar agallaimh bhéil a thaifeadadh, agus rann staire nua a chruthú don suíomh gréasáin. Beidh leabhar taighde nua sa chnuasach tagartha, “North American Gaels,” ach tá moill ar an leabhar ón chlódóir díreach anois.
🔹 Imeachtaí Cultúrtha / Cultural events: We are looking into getting involved with an upcoming Peter Robinson Settlers Commemoration, and would be appreciative of volunteers who would be able to attend this event in Peterborough, Ontario, next year.
🔹 PR: PR is re-evaluating its approach to engagement, and looking to focus more of its attention on our online social media presence where we are able to reach more people, rather than In-person events which can be taxing with a small team. The Maigh Eo Gaeltacht has also asked that we write a few short pieces for their newsletter, to reaffirm our connection to them.
🔹 Forbairt Suímh / Site Development: Looking into improvements that can be made to our physical site to accommodate the growth of our community, following our business plan. Currently the group is looking for options to be able to put cabins up on site.
🔹 Cothabháil Suímh / Site Maintenance: Site maintenance is in charge of maintaining our physical property in Tamworth Ontario, and for setting up the site for our main Summer immersion week and helping to run the site during the week. While there is only one working day left this year (advertised on the community calendar), working days will restart next Spring, and we would be appreciative of help.
🔹 Caidreamh Óige / Youth Engagement: Contacting the celtic studies programs and Irish organizations through Canada to get more engagement from Youth in various Irish communities, as well as engaging with Kingston GAA.
🔹 Suíomh Gréasáin agus IT / Website and IT: Tá IT anois ag obair go dian chun rann staire nua a chur suas. Ní bheidh ach leid daoibh anois, ach tá neart staire le nochtadh againn, go mbeidh ár scéal féin níos léire agus so-aimsithe, don méid go mbeidh dubáilte ann ar ár suíomh gréasáin (le breis is 60 leathnach nua déanta cheana). Beidh seoladh na staire, le cúnamh Dé, i mí na Márta seo chughainn.
Book Launch
“Fraser! Nach Raibh i bhFad Ró-ARD ar Deireadh!” le Joy M OHora
My name is Joy O'Hora and I'm delighted to introduce my children's book ‘as Gaeilge’ to your members. It is available online and can be ordered from Barnes & Noble, Chapters, or Amazon (ISBN: 9781399961073)
“Seo scéal Fraser. Bhí Fraser ar an gcrann giúise ab airde san fhoraois! Bhí Fraser ag súil go mór go roghnódh na daoine é mar chrann speisialta don tSaoire. Foghlaim cad a tharlaíonn nuair a bhíonn Fraser foighneach. Scéal suaimhneach faoi chiorcal na beatha, do pháiste d'aois ar bith uair ar bith sa bhliain. Mura bhfaca tú riamh an aoibh gháire a bhíonn ar chrann Saoire, ... tá Fraser ag feitheamh go foighneach le castáil ort.”
I am so impressed with how you are trying to encourage children to learn Irish in Canada and the U.S. This book has been beautifully illustrated by Galway native Mairead Brennan and translated into Irish by certified translator Clare Rowland.
It is a gentle, relaxing read suitable for children 6 to 9, younger children like the illustrations, and grandparents have delighted in its charms also.
Community Events
If you happen to be in Ottawa, there is an open “Oíche Ghaeilge” conversation group which meets on Thursdays every other week, at Brigid’s Well Pub, 310 St. Patrick St, Ottabha. Speakers of all levels are welcome, from fully fluent to complete beginner. Other speakers gather at 7pm. This event is free of charge.
