Flying the flag for love of Irish
Image 1 of 4
The Gaelbhratagh Flag after being raised by Minister Heather Humphreys at St Clares School in Ballyjamesduff on Monday morning. Picture: Sean McMahon.Image 2 of 4
Flowers for the Minister in St Clare’s Ballyjamesduff. L-R: - Lyndsey McKay, Irish Co-Ordinator; Gabriella, Minister Heather Humphreys and Kyle.Image 3 of 4
Pupils put on an impressive Irish dancing performance for the occasion.Image 4 of 4
Marc Chander
St Clare’s NS has long shown commitment to nurturing a love of Irish amongst its school community - and now they have the flag to prove it.
The Gaelbhratach flag was awarded to the Ballyjamesduff school for their efforts in promoting Irish. Unfurled on Monday, March 4 it was an exciting day for all involved as Minister Heather Humphreys visited for the occasion.
Gaining the flag took three years where students and staff worked diligently to promote the enjoyment of learning Irish and nurturing a connection to their culture.
“The school set up a Clubanna Gaeilge,” explained Principal Karl McCartin. “It was led by a number of staff, and students who had a real grá for our language and our culture.
“Our school, like every other school, promotes Irish and teaches Irish every day, but the Gaelbhratach flag was to make Irish come alive in our school to make it more appealing to the children, to make it more appealing to the school community,” said the proud principal.
The school encouraged everyone to get involved in the project and ensured everyone's opinion was taken onboard.
“Clubanna Gaeilge came together with representatives from each classes in the school,” said Principal McCartin. “They would meet on a weekly basis with their mentors to come up with different ideas and activities that would incorporate Irish into our day to day school life here in Ballyjamesduff.”
He enthused that the commitment of Irish extended beyond the St Clare's gates.
“We were also increasing our level of awareness of Irish, the use of Irish, and different Irish activities that weren’t just curriculum led.”
Initiatives set up to make the learning of Irish more enjoyable for the students included an Irish conversational group called ‘Ciorcal Cainte’, bingo events, poster competitions in Irish, and days where pupils would dress up in green.
“Here in St Clare’s we’re a very diverse school, we have over 25 nationalities represented in our school. As I say at all school events, the thing that unites us is our school community - we’re all here in St Clare’s in Ballyjamesduff,” he enthused.
Principal McCartin delighted in the teamwork that went into achieving the Gaelbhratach success. As only the third school in County Cavan to receive the accolade, he rightly acknowledged it’s “a huge achievement for a school”.
The school plan to build on it.
“The aim would be to create a love for Irish, to encourage the children to engage wholeheartedly with it, now and in the future.”