Tens of thousands of children in primary and secondary schools across the country took part in the 2017 #Gaeilge24 Irish speaking challenge on Tuesday. Participants were enouraged not to leave the language at the school gates but instead to bring it with them and speak it in all social settings for the rest of the day.
This year is the 6th time the event has taken place and over 30,000 pupils from 320 schools nationwide took part in the challenge which was co-ordinated by advocacy group Conradh na Gaeilge.
Schools from as far afield as Canada participated in the event and many of those taking part used social media as a vehicle for communicating with other participants in Irish and shared photos and videos of events in their schools.
Participating schools included English-medium, Irish-medium, and Gaeltacht primary and post-primary schools. Highlighting the widespread interest in #Gaeilge24, just 12 per cent (39) of schools taking part this year are Gaelscoileanna while the majority - 88 per cent or 282 schools - are English medium schools.
Members of Irish societies (Cumainn Gaelach) in 16 third-level institutions took part with members of the Cumainn Gaelach in TCD and UCD volunteering their time to help package over 20,000 t-shirts that were distributed to schools ahead of the event.
"The Gaeilge24 challenge helps to open the minds of young people to the language in a relevant and enjoyable way, and gives them a positive experience of using Irish in their own lives," says Dr Niall Comer, President of Conradh na Gaeilge.
"We have students the length and breadth of Ireland all taking part in Conradh na Gaeilge's latest Gaeilge24 challenge, from primary schools and post-primary schools, English-medium and Irish-medium schools, Gaeltacht schools and non-Gaeltacht schools," he said.
Sandra Ní Gharbháin who is school principal at Gaelscoil Cholmcille in Santry said Gaeilge24 offered an opportunity for the children and their parents to enjoy events and activities that are different to those organised on a typical day or during a typical week.
“There is more emphasis on Irish in the schoolyard, the children are wearing Gaeilge24 T-shirts and we have encouraged parents to speak Irish with each other and with the children at home.
"We have also encouraged them to listen to Raidio na Gaeltachta, to watch TG4 and to read Irish stories."
Students were issued with a phrase book to help them with useful phrases and words for use in different social settings including at home (sa bhaile) , in shops (sa sioa), online (ar líne) and with their friends (le cáirde).
“More importantly, it is the Gaeilge24 participants themselves – the students – that promote and spread the use of the Irish language within their own communities, encouraging other people to talk to them in Irish and supporting all those around them to use whatever few words of Irish that they might have throughout the day,” said Dr Comer.
Students raise money to pay for the support packs that they receive on the day, and any profit from the day goes towards the registered charity Conradh na Gaeilge to support the promotion of Irish throughout Ireland.
Phrases that might be of use to students include:
Frásaí don Lá/Phrases for the Day
1. Táim ag glacadh páirt i nGaeilge 24 inniu (I’m taking part in Gaeilge 24 today)
2. Ní bheidh ach Gaeilge á labhairt agam don lá (I’ll only be speaking as Gaeilge for the day.)
3. Táim ar bís faoin dúshlán, beidh lá iontach againn! (I’m really excited about the challenge - we’ll have a great day!)
Sa Bhaile & Bia/ At Home & Food
1. Maidin mhaith! (Good Morning!)
2. Céard atá ann don dinnéar? (What’s for dinner?)
3. An bhfuil milseoig uait? (Do you want dessert?)
4. Táim lán go béal! (I’m stuffed!)
5. An bhfuil aon mhilseán agat? (Do you have any sweets?)
6. An raibh lá deas agat? (Did you have a nice day?)
7. Céard a rinne tú inniu? (What did you do today?)
8. Oíche mhaith! (Goodnight!)
Ar líne/Online
1. Úsáid an scagaire leis na réaltaí le to thoil (Use the filter with the stars please)
2. Cuir clib orm! (tag me!)
3. Glac arís é! (take it again!)
4. Tá sé lasta! (It is lit)
5. I dtosach báire... (First of all...)
6. Seol téacs chugam níos déanaí (Send me a text later)
7. Seol snap chugam lenár sraith a choimeád! (Send me a snap to keep our streak going!)
8. An gcuirfigh mé seo in airde? (Should I upload this?)
Sa Siopa/In the Shop
1. An bhfuil aon rud uait ón siopa? (Do you want anything from the shop?)
2. An féidir liom rolla le sicín te a fháil le do thoill? (Could I get a hot chicken roll please?)
3. Cén costas atá air sin? (How much does that cost?)
4. An bhfuil soinseál agat? (Do you have change?
5. An bhfuil aon mhála plaisteach agaibh? (Do you have any plastic bags?)
6. Cé acu atá níos saoire? (Which one is cheaper?)
7. Tá siad ró-chostasach (They are too expensive)
8. Go raibh míle maith agat! (Thanks a million!)
