Den chéad uair riamh, ar an 26ú Samhain i nGaelscoil Adhamhnáin, d’eagraigh Líonra Leitir Ceanainn tionscadal úrnua - ‘Aonach na Gaeilge’. Ba é an sprioc a bhí ann ná béim a chur ar an Ghaeilge mar ghnáth-theanga chumarsáide, agus chun í a spreagadh i measc an phobail áitiúil - go háirithe trí Ghaeloideachas. Bhí ionadaíocht i láthair ón eagraíocht Gaeloideachas agus ó na Gaelscoileanna áitiúla, meánscoileanna macasamhail Gairmscoil Chú Uladh agus Coláiste Ailigh, agus ar ndóigh, Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin, le labhairt faoi thumoideachas, ghaeloideachas agus faoi bhuntáistí an dátheangachais. Ina theannta sin, bhí seastáin éagsúla ann. Bhí ionadaithe ann ó Choláiste na hOllscoile, Baile Átha Cliath agus ó Acadamh na Gaeilge Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, chun na féidearthachtaí tríú leibhéal agus deiseanna fostaíochta in earnáil na Gaeilge a phlé.
Bhain na páistí uilig triail as ceardlanna trí mheán na Gaeilge ar an lá, ina measc bhí damhsa hip-hop le Pinehill Studios, seisiún ealaíne le The Arty Fox, ceardlann chódúcháin le hAndy Caomhánach ó Ollscoil na Gaillimhe agus ceol curtha ar fáil ag Úna Ní Bhriain, Ceol na Coille. Ba léir gur bhain siad uilig sult mór as na himeachtaí spraíúla, ach ní raibh an ócáid seo dírithe ar pháistí amháin! Ag seastáin ón Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Dhún na nGall, ó Ghlór na nGael, ó Theach na gCarad agus Líonra Leitir Ceanainn, bhí daoine fásta agus tuismitheoirí in ann fáil amach faoi na ranganna atá ar fáil agus na himeachtaí a bheas ag teacht, chomh maith leis na tacaíochtaí éagsúla atá ann do thuismitheoirí ionas go mbeidh siadsan ábalta cuidiú a thabhairt dá bpáistí ar a dturais Ghaeilge agus go mbeidh siad féin spreagtha i dtreo na teanga. Agus, bhí an deis acu amharc ar na hacmhainní agus na leabhair iontacha ó ‘Siopa an Carn’, an fillteán Gaeilge don Teaghlach ina measc, a dhíríonn ar conas is féidir Gaeilge a úsáid níos minice sa bhaile. Tá an fillteán sin ar fáil ó oifig Líonra Leitir Ceanainn agus í ar lacáiste ar chostas €20. Bhí ionadaí i láthair ó Leabharlann Chontae Dhún na nGall leis ‘An Leabharlann Bheag’, tionscadal ó Leabharlanna na hÉireann chun páistí a spreagadh tabhairt faoin léitheoireacht. Agus dár ndóigh bhí sólaistí deasa ann fosta arna soláthartha ag Thyme Out!
D’éirigh go han-mhaith leis an lá agus is cinnte go mbeidh dáta eile sa dialann gan mhoill don bhliain seo chugainn!
For the first time ever, on the 26th of November, Líonra Leitir Ceanainn organised a new initiative 'Aonach na Gaeilge'. The aim of this project was to place emphasis on Irish being a daily language of communication, and to inspire its use throughout the local community - particularly through Irish medium education. Representatives from the company 'Gaeloideachas' were present, alongside those from the local Irish secondary schools such as Gairmscoil Chú Uladh and Coláiste Ailigh, and of course Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin, to talk about immersive education, Irish-medium education and the advantages of bilingualism. Other universities also joined us at the fair, such as University College Dublin, and Acadamh na Gaeilge from the University of Galway, to discuss third level possibilities and employment opportunities in the Irish sector.
Kids had the chance to try out various workshops as Gaeilge on the day, including hip-hop dancing with Pinehill Studios, an art session with The Arty Fox, a coding workshop led by Andy Caomhánach from the University of Galway, with music being provided by Úna Ní Bhriain from Ceol na Coille. The children certainly enjoyed all the fun activities, but the occasion wasn't solely directed at the kids. With help from the Donegal ETB, Glór na nGael, Cara House, and Líonra Leitir Ceanainn, both adults and parents were informed about classes and upcoming events, while parents were also made aware of various supports and resources available so that they can help their kids with Irish, and so that they themselves will be inspired to undertake their own Irish language journey. People then had the opportunity to look at the incredible resources and books from 'Siopa an Carn', including the folder 'Irish for the Family', which focuses on how to integrate Irish into the home. These folders are available from the Líonra Leitir Ceanainn office at a discounted price of €20. We also had an appearance from the Donegal County Library to talk about the project 'An Leabharlann Bheag' created by Leabharlanna na hÉireann, which is aimed at promoting reading among kids. And of course, we cannot forget about the delicious refreshments that were provided by Thyme Out!
The day was a huge success, and there will certainly be a date in the diary for next year!