A transnational gathering of post primary schools, drawn from three areas of minority languages in Europe, was hosted by Coláiste Oiriall in Monaghan at the end of March 2023.
The first version of the teaching materials has been created and piloted in Frisian (Netherlands), Irish (Coláiste Oiriall) and Basque (Spain) post-primary schools. The exchange consisted of pupils from the different countries working on their Wikipedia texts together under the guidance of experts from the Wikipedia organisations. Coláiste Oiriall WikiWomen Coordinator, Faela Mhic Dhomhnaill and Priomhoide, Brendan Ó Dufaigh welcomed the visitors at a special ceremony.
Chuir Coláiste Oiriall muid roimh chuairteoirí ón Fhreaslainn agus ó thír na mBascach – scoláirí agus daoine fásta. Le linn daofa a bheith anseo rinne siad rianadóireacht i bPáirc Rossmore, thug siad cuairt ar Eamhan Mhacha in Ard Mhacha, d’fhreastail siad ar sheisiún ceoil thraidisiúnta i dtabhairne Mhic Thaidhg, chonaic siad taispeántas scileanna sa Pheil Ghaelach sa Halla Spóirt, shiúil siad thart ar an bhaile agus turas treoraithe ann le Paddy Sherry, d’fhéach siad ar an scannán iomraiteach Gaeilge, ‘An Cailín Ciúin’ agus thug siad faoi ranganna WikiWomen sa scoil agus i Leabharlann an Bhaile le cuidiú saineolaithe ar an taighde agus ar an eagarthóireacht.
The project partners are committed to using Wikipedia in minority language areas of Europe to increase the number of biographies featuring women in the minority languages on Wikipedia as a tool for teaching digital literacy, social engagement, and language skills. Smaller languages can struggle to have a significant digital presence. The project is funded by the European Commission's Erasmus Plus programme. Coláiste Oiriall students’ projects highlight local women of historical significance who have not yet a page dedicated to them on Vicípéid.
The itinerary includes a music session in McCague’s pub in Scotstown, a céilí in the Westenra Hotel, a visit to the ancient city of Armagh and Eamhain Mhacha and the Armagh Rhymers, a guided tour of Monaghan town, viewing An Cailín Ciúin in the Garage Theatre, orienteering in Rossmore Park and learning Gaelic football skills at the school pitch. The meal, farewell Céilí and music recitals in the Westenra Hotel were probably the highlight of the week.
Is é an sprioc atá ann ná ábhair teagaisc a fhorbairt d’iarbhunscoileanna ina n-úsáidtear an Vicipéid chun scileanna digiteacha, rannpháirtíocht shóisialta agus scileanna teanga a mhúineadh sa mhionteanga, agus ina bhfuil fócas ar bheathaisnéisí ban.
Thosaigh an tionscnamh, a bhfuil maoiniú Erasmus ar a chúl, anuraidh agus leanfaidh sé ar aghaidh ar feadh dhá bhlain eile. Mar sin glacfaidh daltaí na tríú bliana agus daltaí na darna bliana buntáiste as seo sna blianta atá romhainn agus cead ag baicle beag daltaí ó Choláiste Oiriall ag taisteal go dtí tír na mBascach agus go dtí an Fhreislann mar chuid den tionscnamh mar a bhí daltaí s’acusan abhus linn le seachtain anuas.
