Chuaigh daltaí nuachláraithe Choláiste Oiriall go Gaeltacht Rann na Feirste an deireadh seachtaine seo agus chaith siad am sultmhar i measc bhunadh na háite agus d’fhreastail siad ar réimse leathan imeachtaí.  Fuair siad seans a gcuid Gaeilge a chleachtadh i suíomh nadúrtha na Gaeltachta.

Daltai nuachláraithe Choláiste Oiriall a chaith deireadh seachtaine i nGaeltacht Rann na Feirste

6^th class students, now enrolled in Coláiste Oiriall, travelled to Rannafast Gaeltacht last Friday for a weekend of culture, language, activities and fun. This forms part of the school’s induction and settling-in course. The boys lodged in two houses, teach Ann Pheadair and teach Gresham while the girls lodged in five houses: teach Noirín, teach Dhonaill, teach Ann Marie, teach Mhairead John Gráinne and teach Hughie Antaine.  After their meal on arrival, students played unihoc, soccer and basketball at the local Irish college and this was followed by a Table Quiz.

A Coláiste Oiriall selection and Gaoth Dobhair under-12 team pictured together at the local club’s facilities in Magheragallon, Co. Donegal.

On Saturday morning a Coláiste Oirall selection played a Gaelic football match against the local under 12 Gaoth Dobhair team. Coláiste Oiriall, including five girls among the panel defeated the Gaeltacht team. The Monaghan students were fascintated to hear the Coláiste Oiriall team coach and the local team management giving all instructions in Irish to the teams. The girls also played rounders. The host Gaoth Dobhair team provided an abundance of refreshments afterwards and for this we are very grateful.

Saturday afternoon saw the students visiting Dunlewey Lakeside Centre.  This included a boat trip, amusements, animal farm and a guided tour of the old weaver’s cottage.  They particularly enjoyed the go karting, paddle-boats and the canoes. On Saturday evening local musicians and singers, such as Aodh Mac Ruairí, Joe Óg Mac Grianna and Connie Ó Gallchóir hosted a music session and group singing for the Monaghan youngsters. This included traditional, sean nos, contemporary and instrumental music. Some students also took part in this event.

Roinnt ceoltóirí a ghlac páirt sa seisiún ceoil sa Choláiste Gaeilge i Rann na Feirste.

On Sunday morning after an early Mass in Gaoth Dobhair, the students travelled to Ostan Ghaoth Dobhair for an hour’s swimming in the hotel’s leisure centre. This culminated in a number of freestyle races between the houses. Students returned to the houses for their dinner, packed the bags, said goodbye to their bean a’ tí and returned to Monaghan and Carrickmacross courtesy of Feda O’Donnell’s coaches. The students were accompanied by ten teachers from Coláiste Oiriall. The entire activities were run through the medium of Irish. Coláiste Oiriall acknowledges the financial support received from Monaghan County Council. We would also like to acknowledge Coláiste Bhríde Irish College for the use of their facilities.

Bhí gach duine ag súil go mór leis an chuairt go Gaeltacht Thír Chonaill agus ní shílim go raibh díoma ar dhuine ar bith acu.  Thug sé deis do scoláirí Choláiste Oiriall teacht le chéile mar ghrúpa amháin don chéad uair ariamh.  Measann an scoil gur thairbheach an rud é ceangal a chothú le ceantar Gaeltachta.