Keeping Irish alive on the air

GAEL-LINN RADIO PROGRAMME COMPETITION:TY students are tuning into a fun way of learning Irish – by making their own radio programmes as Gaeilge

WE’RE increasingly alienated from the community around us. Young people, in particular, often know little about their local neighbourhood, the characters who formed it, and the major events that shaped it.

Students at Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, an Irish language school in Co Donegal, however, have used a popular radio competition to explore their local heritage. The Gael-Linn Radio Programme Competition challenges young people to produce a radio programme, between 15 and 20 minutes in duration, on their own choice of subject.

The school has won the competition several times in the last decade, producing programmes on their region’s history of emigration to Scotland between the mid-19th and the beginning of the 20th century and a separate programme on the enduring legacy of the Irish Folklore Commission’s Schools Scheme, where children from across Ireland collected songs, stories and folklore from their local area.

Last year’s winning entry came from two students, Simon MacGiolla Easpaig and Brídín Ní Ghallchóir. They produced a programme on Séamus Ó Grianna, a local writer in a neighbouring parish who made a major contribution to the Irish language between 1920 and 1960.

“Most of the themes in his work explore love stories from the local area and emigration to Scotland,” says Simon. “We’re hoping to create an account of his life and break it up into an interesting listen, using narration, songs and extracts and interviews from other Irish writers.”

Bridín adds: “We learned a lot about the writer, and we really enjoyed the experience of being on radio, working as a group, and learning research skills.”

OTHER COMPETITION entrants took a different tack. Blackrock College students Adam Cullen, Conor Waldron, Alex Owens and Neil Barrett, working with their Irish language teacher Pól Ó Gribín, were also winners last year. The boys were recognised for producing a satirical programme, Scigchlár.

"We were inspired by Today FM's Gift Gruband thought that comedy and sketches might stand out," says Neil.

The show consisted of sketches, songs and Irish music, as well as an interview in the Irish language with comedian Des Bishop, who spent a year learning Irish in the Gaeltacht.

Alex says: “The whole class was involved, and we learned a lot of useful skills: how to create a project like this, carrying out our ideas, editing and working together as a group. I think the style of the show won it for us, and the variety made it stand out. It was never boring for us and we all really enjoyed it.”

The Gael-Linn competition is divided into two sections, one for secondary schools in which subjects are taught through Irish, and one where they are not. The competition is judged by a recognised broadcaster who chooses the top three entries across both categories, with the final decision made by RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. The first prize winners will receive €650 in cash, with €450 and €350 for second and third place.

The closing date for applications to the Gael-Linn Radio Programme Competition is Friday January 22nd, 2010. Final programmes must be submitted by Friday, February 12th, 2010. All competition details are available at www.gael-linn.ie, where the 2009 prizewinning programmes can be heard.

Alternatively, call 01-6753303 for more information.