Around forty third level colleges and universities in the USA, in European countries and further afield, are actively providing Irish language and Celtic Studies programmes within their own institutions and have expressed an interest in developing those programmes. This follows Minister Ó Cuív’s announcement in 2006 that he was establishing a Special Fund of €300,000 per annum to promote the teaching of the Irish Language in third level institutions abroad. This funding is being provided through the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs’ Ciste na Gaeilge, a fund which supports various projects and organisations whose aim it is to promote the Irish language.
The Fulbright Commission is the official cultural exchange programme between the Irish Government and the United States, and it appoints Irish language assistants from this country to third level institutions in the US. This year (2007/2008), Irish language assistants will be appointed at University of Notre Dame (Indiana), Southern Illinois University Carbondale, University of St. Thomas (Minnesota), University of New York, and Lehman College CUNY (New York). Funding of up to €80,000 is being provided to these universities from Ciste na Gaeilge for the period of one academic year. The Fulbright FLTA (Foreign Language Teaching Assistants Programme) Programme aims to reinforce the teaching of foreign languages in colleges and universities throughout the United States.
According to Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh, who is teaching Irish at Lehman College in the Bronx, New York: “The Irish language is obviously on the increase in the US, but it is not just Irish-Americans who are learning it. Lehman College is located in a Hispanic area, and the teaching staff has managed to interest students from every type of background in learning Irish. There is a teleconferencing facility between Lehman and Queens, where ten people are participating in the classes.”
Minister Ó Cuív said that this scheme is an excellent way of presenting the Irish language to the academic community in the United States. “It will give the Irish language equal status to other European languages being taught abroad,” he said. “Also, many students who study Irish in their own countries continue their studies here in Ireland. It is wonderful to see students from all over the world attending courses in the Gaeltacht. This results in bonds of friendship and a lifelong interest and understanding of the rich language and culture of this country.”
According to information from Oideas Gael in Donegal, students have attended their courses from connected colleges in places like Milwaukee, New York, Minnesota, Notre Dame and New College, California. Around 50% of participants on Oideas Gael courses come from abroad and interest is increasing; in comparison with 600 students in 1996/1997, over 1000 attended courses in 2006/2007. The numbers attending the courses for foreign students in Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain each summer has increased significantly also. In 2005, thirty-five students attended the courses. This year, fifty-nine will attend.
In addition, Global Gaeilge was initiated in 2005 as an international competition which is part of Comórtas Ghlór na nGael Teo. This aims to give recognition to various communities abroad who are making every effort to promote the Irish language. At the moment, groups from Canada, America, Spain, Australia, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, England and Scotland are participating in the competition. The winners of Global Gaeilge receive a voucher for two from the club to attend Gaeltacht courses. It has been noted that in the past, these winners have returned to the Gaeltacht of their own accord after their initial visit.
To contact FLTAs teaching Irish, please call Marianne Doyle in the Fulbright Commission on 087 2283695.
Editor’s Note:
The following institutions receive funding from Ciste na Gaeilge under the Fund for Third Level Institutions Overseas:
UWM Foundation (Wisconsin University), USA
Humbolt-Scoil na Léinn Cheiltigh, Berlin, Germany
Institiúid an Léinn Ghael-Mheiriceánaigh (Lehman), New York, USA
Universität Mannheim, Germany
Institiud na hÉireann i bPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
University of Oslo, Norway
Coláiste na nGael, Paris, France
University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales
Károli Gáspár University, Budapest, Hungary
University of Szeged, Hungary
Ionad na Léinn Éireannaigh, Univerzita Karlova, Prague, Czech Republic
Cardiff University, Wales
University of Liverpool, England
Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany
Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany
Dusseldorf University, Germany
University of Freiburg, Germany
University of Bonn, Germany
North American Association for Celtic Language Teachers, Ontario, Canada
University of St. Thomas, Texas, USA
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota, USA
Boston College, USA
University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
Université Rennes 2, Brittany, France
The Centre for Canadian Irish Studies, Concordia, Montreal, Canada
Glucksman Ireland House, New York University, USA
SKSK (Studienhaus für Keltische Sprachen und Kulturen), Germany
University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
University of Cambridge, England
Comhaltachtai do Mhic Léinn – Johann Kaspar Zeuss
Ollscoil Chaitliceach Lublin, Poland
New College of California, USA
Daltaí na Gaeilge
Nova Scotia, Canada
Fordham University, Nua Eabhrac, USA
St Mary’s University College, Twickenham, England
Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
Fealsún (Irish tuition for beginners), Missouri, USA
Ciste na Gaeilge (The Irish Language Fund) is used to fund Irish language organisations and Irish language projects. The goal of the fund is to promote the use of the Irish language. Ciste na Gaeilge is aimed at groups and organisations which are operating, for the most part, outside of the Gaeltacht. Ciste na Gaeilge is funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery.