An Ghaeilge - our mother tongue, symbol of our unique culture. We all absolutely love it...don't we?? Maybe you have a massive grá for Gaeilge, OR maybe you struggle with the cúpla focal. What would it be like to get to learn it all over again?!
I Réaltaí na Gaeltachta, téann cúigear aitheanta go dtí Gaeltacht Phort Láirge chun iad féin a thumadh go hiomlán sa Ghaeilge. Ag tochailt amach a gcuid foclóirí agus ag pacáil a gcuid málaí, imíonn ár gcúigear daltaí leo go ceann de na coláistí samhraidh is cáiliúla in Éirinn – Coláiste na Rinne, An Rinn, áit a gcaithfidh siad seachtain faoi threoir na múinteoirí agus muintir na háite, le heispéireas iomlán na Gaeltachta a bheith ag an chúigear – ar fad as Gaeilge.
Ar dhuine de na Réalta atá páirteach i mbliana tá an t-aisteoir Hilary Rose, a bhfuil aithne againn uirthi mar mháthair
How would you rate your Gaeilge from 1-10?
"Uimhir a trí... but I'm getting there and willing to try!"
Before An Rinn: After An Rinn:
"My Irish was pretty poor before I went to An Rinn but I felt that I made massive improvements there. It was beautiful reconnecting with our language and it inspired me to pursue it further."
What did you hope to achieve from Réaltaí?
"I wanted to have fun because I had never been to Irish college as a kid and part of me felt that I had missed out. And we certainly did have fun!"
Any advice for people who think they can't speak Irish?
"If you're looking to pursue it, then I'd say jump right in, you won't regret it. Learning or refreshing a language opens up parts of the brain that can go to sleep over time. I felt super creative and awake after immersing myself into that journey on Realtaí and I'm really grateful for the chance to rekindle the language."
Were you surprised by how much you could remember?
"Yes! By day five I was thinking in Irish and so much came back to me. Ideally I would have loved another two weeks of total immersion. Hopefully more Irish language projects will come my way so that I can dive back in again."
Catch up with Hilary and the gang in the second episode where they get used to life in Coláiste na Rinne, as Múinteoir Pádraigín turns the classroom into an outdoor art salon!
In order to be at one with their Gaeilge, Owen, Erin and Toshín turn their attention to yoga as Gaeilge.
Elsewhere, Brendan and Hilary go in search of a local spot where they get up close and personal with some seaweed - before the whole group get to show off their moves with some brush dancing lessons!
Réaltaí na Gaeltachta Ep 2 airs on RTÉ One tv and on the RTÉ Player on Tuesday 11 March at 7pm.
Watch Ep1 here.
