Spleodar Leitir Mealláin, an áit is fearr. We both signed up (thanks to CAN) with no idea of what we were getting ourselves in for and not a word of Irish but left with a newfound love for the language. Three weeks in the summer of TY here were incredibly beneficial. Both of us were granted the “Duais na Gaeilge” for most improved Irish.

Living with our Bean an Tí and 10+ strangers from all over the country, attending school daily, playing games, and enjoying Ceilis boosted our confidence, and quite frankly changed us as people. Living in the middle of nowhere on our own shockingly turned out to be a fantastic experience.

Matthew: When I went to the gaeltacht for 3 weeks, I found it to be a wonderful experience. At first, I was a little unsure of myself and my Irish speaking abilities, but they soon improved vastly when I stopped trying to form a perfect sentence and just talk. It helped that I had other people from clondalkin there, yet I still made friends from all over the country and all of us had loads of fun doing the activities like the céilí, dance battles, canoeing, and acting on TG4. While I was a bit homesick at the end, I still highly recommed going, mar t-am iontach a bhí ann.

 

Bailey: I hated Irish. Now I’m considering studying it. The Gaeltacht had such an impact on me in transition year, so much that I went back after fifth year, and intend to go back many times as they want me to work there as a leader. Spleodar genuinely feels like a part of me, and I’ve gained some friends for life who all intend on returning. There really is something so special about going and speaking your native language for 3 weeks, with no contact to the outside world. It really changed me as a person. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done, and I highly recommend everybody does it.