Áth Buí le Gaeilge

Nuachtlitir Chraobh Uí Ghramhnaigh

Mí na Samhna 2007  

San eagrán seo:

Oíche Shamhna ar Chnoc Thleachta

Ranganna Gaeilge in Áth Buí  

Ideas for Developing Bilingualism in Voluntary and Community Organisations

Measúnú ar Líne / Online Assessment

Tlachtga

   Tlachtga where the Great Fire Festival at Samhain was celebrated

   Tlachtga on the Hill of Ward near Athboy is 12 miles from the Hill of
   Tara, the earthworks which are about 150 metres in diameter are most
   impressive from the air. Tlachtga was the location of the Great Fire
   Festival begun on the eve of Samhain (eve of the 1st November). The
   festival probably lasted for least several days and centred on the god
   Lugh.

   Tlachtga dates from approximately 200 AD and is named after a sorceress
   who died there giving birth to triplets. Tlachtga is clearly visible
   from Tara and the fire lit on the eve of Samhain may have been a prelude
   to the Samhain Festival at Tara.

   With the coming of Christianity the festival was incorporated into the
   Christian calendar as a time of remembrance for the holy souls, so the
   Samhain festival of the ancestors retained it relevance. The customs of
   Samhain that didn't fit into Christianity survived as Halloween. It was
   the Scottish and Irish who brought Gaelic folklore and customs to the US
   and Canada, popularising Halloween.

   The Festival of Samhain was the great festival of the dead. It also
   marked the beginning of the Celtic New Year. The Winter fires were
   lighted when the sun went down on the eve of Samhain

   The earthworks seen on the Hill of Ward today represent the last phase
   of development about 2000 years ago. The remains of an older barrow
   burial have been incorporated in the earthworks. It is likely that the
   hill was the centre of ritual activity long before the Celtic period.

   Tlachtga ("Earth-Spear"), is the daughter of the blind druid/sun god Mog
   Ruith and Dron, and sorceress or patroness of druidic skills. She
   belongs to the race of  the Firbolg. She learns all her magic from her
   father and creates several obviously magic items – a rolling wheel for a
   man named Trian, the stone of Forcathu, and the famous Cnamhcaill ("Bone
   damage"), from a part of her father’s wheel. The stone is said to kill
   all who touch it, blind those that look upon it and deafen those that
   hear it. Some think it a thunderbolt emerges from the stone, so it would
   be a magic weapon which could be used against Mog Ruith's and Tlachtga's
   enemies.

   Medieval legend has it that she was raped by the three sons of Simon
   Magus and bore them triplets named Doirb, Cumma and Muach. She died in
   giving birth to them, and the hill where she died is named Tlachta hill.
   Later on, Tlachtga hill was the meeting point for all druids of Ireland,
   where the Samhain fire was kindled.

Féach ar / See    http://www.knowth.com/hill-of-ward.htm

Seo cuid de na daoine atá ar chúrsa Gaeilge in Áth Buí faoi láthair. Tá 26 ar fad ar an gcúrsa.  Tá na ranganna bunaithe ar shiollabas Theastas Eorpach na Gaeilge.  www.teg.ie

Ideas for Developing Bilingualism in Voluntary and Community Organisations

Bliain / Year 1

Prepare LOGOS, Letterheads and Address bilingually on your groups stationary

Use bilingual signs

Find out the language skills of your volunteers / workers in conversing, understanding, reading and writing Irish.

Make use of Áth Buí le Gaeilge free community translation service

Support the efforts of some staff or volunteers to learn or use Irish in your organisation. Arrange Irish classes for some members.
 

Bliain / Year 2

Create the position of Oifigeach Gaeilge / Irish Language Officer
Or much better still -
Create the post of vice secretary for person with bilingual skills

Advertise the next event bilingually (in local and Irish language media)

Include some bilingual items in your Newsletter

Put a bilingual message on phone answering machine

Ask Áth Buí le Gaeilge to translate your groups most commonly used phrases / forms / signs / brochure / web site / speech / adverts / posters etc.
 

Bliain / Year 3

Produce the agenda for meetings bilingually

If you employ staff, advertise the next vacant position bilingually

Produce bilingual stickers, badges for your next publicity campaign

Discuss and adopt a simple but realistic Irish language Policy- 10 point plan.

Invite the public to use either language in dealings with your group - Fáilte roimh Gaeilge agus Béarla

Inform service users/members of your organisation of language choice

 

Bliain / Year 4

Use a bilingual as spokesperson or have two persons in this position

Answer the phone bilingually

Plan your next publication bilingually and budget accordingly when applying for funds

Publish your next Press release and /or Annual report bilingually

Revue and publish your Irish Language Policy

Respond to Irish medium enquiries in Irish
Fáilte roimh Gaeilge agus Béarla
Hold your next AGM with simultaneous translation facilities