Irish Language

Academic Director: Dorothy Ní Uigín

Course Overview

This programme offers the opportunity to learn Irish in its natural environment. A range of Irish-language courses are offered at beginners’, elementary, intermediate and advanced levels each summer.

These courses are based at the University’s Irish Language Centre (Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain), An Cheathrú Rua in the heart of Connemara. Quite apart from being a region of great beauty, Connemara is a major Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking district) and has a rich folk tradition. The village of An Cheathrú Rua provides an ideal location for learning Irish.

Course Modules

Courses on offer are at beginners’, elementary and intermediate level. Students are registered for the course best suited to their standard in the language.Students may register for one of the courses below:

Beginners’ Course (A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages): Designed for those with no previous knowledge of Irish, this three-week intensive course provides a basic knowledge of spoken Irish and a general introduction to Irish linguistic culture.

Elementary Course (A2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages): This is suitable for those with some knowledge of the spoken language. It aims to help participants express themselves at an improved level of fluency.

Intermediate Course (B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages): The course is offered to students who have a general knowledge of Irish-language structures and a good vocabulary. It aims to help participants towards become fluent and communicate more effectively in the spoken dialect of Connemara Irish.

Course Delivery

Each course will include:

Intensive instruction in the Irish Language each day.
Irish singing and dancing workshops
Introductory lectures on relevant topics, including the history of the Irish language, Folklore, the Irish Language Media.

Excursions and visits are arranged to several Irish-speaking locations to experience language and culture in their natural environment. Towns and villages that are visited include Ros Muc and An Spidéal, with its local specialised crafts and a day trip to one of the Aran Islands. A visit to the renowned Kylemore Abbey is also arranged during the course

Dates

Arrival and Orientation: 02 – 23 June 2023

Tuition & Accommodation Costs

Tuition & Accommodation information and costs detailed on the Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge website:

International Students Irish Language Summer Course 2023 - University of Galway (acadamh.ie)

Scholarships

The Fulbright Commission offers Gaeltacht Scholarship Awards to US citizens while the Ireland Canada University Foundation offers scholarships to Canadian citizens who wish to study the Irish language. The Irish Embassy in Hungary offers a scholarship to Hungarian citizens interested in learning the Irish language.