Gaelbhratach

Gaelbhratach is an Irish language school scheme that encourages the use of Irish outside the classroom.

We work with teachers and students to create a positive bridge between Irish as a school subject and as a living, vibrant language, by creating opportunities for spoken use outside of the classroom that are fun, creative and student-centred, normalising Irish within the school community.

We support schools across the country to increase speaking opportunities and promote the Irish language.

As a central part of the scheme, the school puts together a “Gaelbhratach” student committee, and with input from their peers and friends, this committee directs the Irish language events and language habits that are created in the school. Training is provided to committees to run events for the school community as a whole, with the promotion of Irish as their main goal. The scheme is the students’ own, from the ideas and planning to the results.

The efforts of schools north and south are recognised in conjunction with a phased framework that has been declared to make Irish a natural part of everyday school life, with student leadership central to the approach.

After the school has achieved their goals, the school is awarded the “Gaelbhratach” flag showing their commitment to the Irish language and highlighting the value the school community place on it.

This year, there are 400+ schools on the scheme, across 32 counties, and more than 160,000 students taking part. We would like to thank the Department of Education and Youth; Foras na Gaeilge; and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for their ongoing support and for making funding available to Gael Linn for this project.

English-medium primary schools and post-primary schools of all types can participate in Gaelbhratach.

We work with all types of schools, from schools where Irish is strong to schools that are a little nervous.

The benefits of participating in the scheme are many, according to the teachers and students who participate. When students and school staff associate Irish with fun and enjoyment, we see:

• a positive attitude towards Irish being created among students
• increased use of Irish and Irish language proficiency
• students flourishing in confidence, independence, communication skills and leadership skills

If your school would like to participate, click on the register button above to register your school for the coming school year. Please be aware that the scheme has a waiting list and invitations to the scheme are sent out as soon as possible depending on our funding.

The Gaelbhratach team has created a huge resource pool that is available to everyone. We are constantly creating and sharing ideas that help to encourage Irish language conversation and normalise the Irish language.

Follow the links below to view Gaelbhratach resources. You are welcome to use, download and share the content:

www.gaelbhratach.ie/acmhainni 

All information relating to the scheme at primary level is available in the handbook.

All information relating to the scheme at post-primary level is available in the booklet.

The scheme was established due to the urgent need to create natural opportunities for use, which would support Irish as a school subject, and which would broaden children’s attitudes towards Irish so that they would view it as a living language rather than just a school subject.

The scheme officially began in the 2012/13 school year, at primary level and a year later at post-primary level.

Since then, the scheme has affected all types of schools across the country – from urban and rural schools where there is a need to reinvigorate the language, to Gaelscoileanna and Gaeltacht schools where it is the main daily language.