Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille was approached by Urdd Gobaith Cymru to see if the school would be interested in participating in their Welsh language & Culture outreach programme. Urdd Gobaith Cymru (Urdd) is Wales’ largest national youth organisation and provides sports, arts, volunteering, apprenticeship, outdoor pursuits, humanitarian, international and residential opportunities for children and young people through the Welsh language that builds their self-confidence and enables them to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider world.

Since it was established in 1922, over four million children and young people have been members of the movement and it has nurtured generations of young people to be proud of their country, open to others and living embodiments of the Welsh language and culture. Urdd Gobaith Cymru aims to bring the Welsh language alive for children and young people in Wales and to increase their use of Welsh.

The Urdd team were in the school last week working with R5A & R5B. The aim for their visit was to share some aspects of the Welsh culture and language with our pupils. They held Sports & Culture sessions with both classes over the 2 days. These sessions come under the banner ‘Chwarae yn Gymraeg’ (Playing through Welsh) and these sessions were conducted solely through Welsh (total immersion). The pupils enjoyed two very engaging, active, fun-filled days and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

The Welsh Minister for Education & the Welsh Language visited the school on Wednesday the 1st of March to see the project in action – which coincided with St.David’s Day – the day the Welsh people celebrate their patron Saint.

He was very impressed with how the language/immersion program was being implemented in our the school and he was very pleased to meet the children and see them learning Welsh. He was extremely interest in learning about the Irish education system and was keen to hear about the work that is done in Gaelscoileanna and in Ireland in general to promote the Irish language.

We held a school assembly to celebrate St. David’s Day  with the team from Urdd Gobaith Cymru. The 1st of March is the feast day of St. David, Patron Saint of Wales.

The icing on the cake for the pupils in R5 was being featured on Nuacht TG4 that evening and also in the Irish Independent & The Irish Times (on-line) the following day!!

20230301 Irish Independent Lá Nmh Daithí

FÍSEÁN Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! Breatnais á foghlaim ag daltaí i nGaelscoil Thaobh na Coille sa Chéim i ndeisceart Bhaile Átha Cliath … pic.twitter.com/jr7z6cKyoG

— NuachtTG4 (@NuachtTG4) March 1, 2023