Chuaigh daltaí nua-chláraithe Choláiste Oiriall go Gaeltacht Rann na Feirste an deireadh seachtaine seo chuaigh thart 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.
6th 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 weekend was part-sponsored by Irish language funding from Monaghan County Council. The students lodged with five Irish speaking families. After their dinner on arrival, students played unihoc, soccer and basketball at Coláiste Bhríde, the local Irish college and this was followed by a Table Quiz which served as a bonding exercise for students from the various primary schools.
On Saturday morning a Coláiste Oirall Boys selection played a Gaelic football match against the local under 12 Gaoth Dobhair team. Coláiste Oiriall while the Coláiste Oiriall girls also played the Gaeltacht’s under 12 girl team. Referring, coaching, selectiions on both teams were carried out through Irish
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 climbing wall, rodeo bull, paddle-boats and the canoes. On Saturday evening local musicians and singers, such as Aodh Mac Ruairí, Joe 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. Many students had brought musical instruments and were afforded the opportunity to play at the musical recital.
On Sunday morning after an early Mass in Dun Lúiche, 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 six 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..
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 agus measann tuismitheoirí gur thairbheach an rud é an teacht le chéile Gaeltachta seo fosta.