'There is a huge interest in the Irish language': Leitrim teacher helping to revive the language

'There is so much going on with the Irish language and so many different initiatives always going on with Conradh na Gaeilge,' Órla Nic Con na Búille (McNabola) told the Leitrim Observer this week, speaking passionately about her role as a Comhordaitheoir Dara Leibhéal (Second Level Coordinator) with the organisation, which involves travelling the country promoting Gaeilge and careers/opportunities with Gaeilge to teenagers.

Órla currentley lives in Carrick on Shannon with my parents Mícheál and Antonia and my three brothers Enda, Conn and Rory and covers eleven different counties.

After completing her arts degree in Gaeilge and Media Studies (DCU), she then qualified as a secondary school teacher with Maynooth University and went on teach Irish in four different secondary schools.

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Her decision to move home was a financial one initially as paying high rents in Dublin meant that saving money was not an option.

She said: "Really it was the cost of living in Dublin that made me move back home to Carrick. The rent was not as bad as some of my other friends were paying. We were probably paying around €1000, bills included, for one room. I want to save but I just couldn't manage it. I could get by but by the end of the month, I was starting again. It was a shame because the school I was in in Firhouse Educate Together Secondary School in Dublin- I just loved that school so much. The year before that, I was in Drumshanbo Vocational School and I loved it; it was just one of the best schools ever to teach in. I was thinking of trying to get work there again when I came back home but then the opportunity to work Conradh na Gaeilge came up."

Conradh na Gaeilge is the main organisation for the promotion and protection of the Irish language and has 200 branches and hundreds of members worldwide.

The organisation runs language courses, advocates for Irish-language rights, and raises awareness about the language - all from our offices in Gaillimh, Conamara, Béal Feirste and Baile Átha Cliath.

Órla is one of three Second Level Coordinators who travel the country and deliver the 'Seó Bóthair' to senior-cycle students in their secondary schools. 

The organisation also helps in the organising of Gaeilge24 (an annual challenge to speak only Irish for the day with 30,000 taking part last year), Ard-Fheis na nÓg (a three-day event for Gaeltacht secondary schools and Gaelcholáistí), #Dúshlán (a competition where students complete 30 challenges in 50 hours), also training days for students to become an Oifigeach Gaeilge (Irish officer) for their school. They also attend conventions like Higher Options, Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition and School Summit as well as events like Ard-Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge, Oireachtas na Samhna and the Gaeltacht campsite at Electric Picnic.

The Seó Bóthair is an interactive workshop that encourages students to use critical thinking to examine their opinions about the Irish language which begins with a walking debate to gather their pre-existing opinions about the language. For example, most students from the south don’t realise that it’s their right to speak Gaeilge to the Gardaí or in their local leabharlann or in court, to name but a few. 

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She said that many students think that the only career that learning Irish leads to is teaching but she makes sure to tackle this perception. "They don't realise that there is so much coming down the line. 20 per cent of those hired in the public sector, by the 2030, will have to be competent in Irish - be they teachers, people working in the council, the fire brigade. That rule is also coming in in media; by the year 2030, one fifth of advertisement on public service media, will have to be done in Irish. We are just trying to alert students to the fact that there are so many jobs that require the language and even more coming down the line. 

She told us: "We inform them about other language rights that they have (or don’t have, depending on where on the island they live).  We alert them to the fact that by the end of 2030, at least 20% of new recruits to public bodies are to be competent in Irish, and also that 20% of advertising by public bodies is to be done i nGaeilge. We share examples of people across many industries who work with the language in their daily lives - from education to media to translations and politics. Sharing this with students helps them realise that there are a lot more career opportunities with the language than teaching alone. We wrap up about 80 minutes later with a lively Irish-music-based game at the end and give out plenty of prizes along the way too!"

When the school year ends, the organsiation is kept busy with the Seó Samhraidh - delivering a variation of the same presentation to students in various Gaeltacht summer courses.

So where did Órla own grá come from for the Irish language?

She replied: "Scoil Mhuire in Carrick; I had really good teachers the whole way up and then I was sent to the Gaeltacht as a teenager as well and that really drove me on."

Órla said that through her role, she has seen that there is "huge interest in the Irish language in both students and adults; I have met so many adults this year who've asked me how they can return to Gaeilge which is fantastic to see."

She said the believes the Irish secondary school Irish course needs reform and that students are keen to learn the language. 

"The message I am getting from students in school is that they really want to be able so speak Irish. The way the curriculum is laid out in school at the moment, it's not fit for purpose, it's not inclusive, there is way too much emphasis on poetry and prose and literature."

She added that on Saturday 20 September, Conradh na Gaeilge will hold a national protest at Parnell Square, Baile Átha Cliath at 13:30pm for Irish language rights and the future of Gaeltacht communities.

She explained: "The protest is about four main points and one of those points is the education system and how Irish is taught in schools. From the students I speak to in school, many of them love Irish and speak it but the ones that don't still have that interest and would love to be able to."

Want other ways to engage with the language?

Conradh na Gaeilge, Gaelchultúr and Gael Linn offer language classes both in person in Dublin and online around the world. Flick on TG4 or Cúla4 on the telley. Follow some social media creators that use Gaeilge - a few Instagram examples are @maire_nichurraoin, @irishwithmollie, @ealuaran, @scaoil.amach.an.pocaide, @kerry.cowboy, @gaeilgelejane, @gaeilge_bheo, @foghlaimtg4, @gaelainnlesean, @james_donegal_irish. Tune into Raidió Rí-Rá (rrr.ie) or Raidió na Gaeltachta / Raidió Fáilte / Raidió na Life. Listen to podcasts like How to Gael, Seansálaithe, Beo ar Éigean. Watch some short films like Cailíní Gránna, Filleann an Feall, Yu Ming is Ainm Dom, Gnó an Rí. Or some full-length films like An Cailín Ciúin, Róise & Frank or Kneecap! Listen to music with Irish language lyrics. Chat to a friend to practice your speaking skills. Find your nearest Pop Up Gaeltacht event or join a social club like Píosa Me. Download apps like Duolingo or Rosetta Stone. There are a myriad of ways to get you started - but most importantly, ná habair é - déan é!

Local Irish language events

- Ciorcal cainte - the second and fourth Thursday of every month at 8pm in The Leitrim Inn, Leitrim Village.

- Ciorcal Comhrá Dromahair, Club House/Riverbank (F91 WPC9) every Saturday from 11am - 12pm.

- Irish classes for people new to Ireland - Ballinamore Library, starting 09 September, 5-7pm.

- Cumann na bhFiann youth clubs in Ballinamore and Drumshanbo - eolas@cnb.ie or ‪+353 1 8259342‬.

- Parent/guardian and baby group - ‘Tae agus Play’ - every month in Gaelscoil Chluainín, Manorhamilton - gaeilgeigcluainin@gmail.com.

- Free Irish classes for beginners and near beginners will be starting in Ballinamore Library on Tuesday 07 October at 8pm.

- WhatsApp group ‘Liatroim le Gaeilge’ where we discuss Gaeilge-related matters in the county. Email Órla if you would like to join: o.niccnb@gmail.com.