2017 Arnprior Irish Weekend

Arnprior 2017

Arnprior: faoi dheireadh, tháinig an chéad imeacht sa bhliain (scoile) sa “chamchuairt” na Gaeilge anseo i gCeanada.
Bien qu’on a hâte aussi de visiter la Gaeltacht (le Gaeltacht? selon les règles canadiens ce serait masculin parce que Gaeltacht termine avec une consonne, mais d’après l’Hexagone, tous les emprunts sont masculins, il me semble) pour l’Oireachtas et la semaine d’immersion pendant l'été. En outre, Kingston tiendra leur propre fin de semaine en mois d'avril, soit le premier fin de semaine d'immersion irlandaise planifié au Canada. Aux États il y aurait quelques uns avec daltai.org et des autre associations ainsi.

This year’s Arnprior experience probably stood out most for its strong youth representation with great support from the ICUF scholars from the University of Ottawa and Concordia University. By the way, the University of Ottawa Celtic Studies Program (whose students have recently relaunched the Celtic Studies Club wiith a GAA session and a pub night with more to come) as well as from Montréal’s Comhrá group (see links below). All in attendance highly appreciated the supportive atmosphere that the members of the Irish community fostered to allow learners and fluent speakers to practice their Irish.

An mhéad sin spraoi ag daoine ag an chéilí mór.

Bígí linn an bhliain seo chugainn! 

Don’t miss out next year! Rumour has it Toni and Dara have an even more outrageous skit planned. Next year's dates are: 28-30 September. We will have even more workshops, singing, music, good meals, and Gaeilge (of course)! We are also aiming to get a Facebook event page up for next year's Deireadh Seachtaine so you can share that with your Gaelic friends from all over the world (keep in contact with us to get news of any changes and other Irish-language weekends).

University of Ottawa Celtic Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/291359350637/
Comhrá Montréal: https://www.comhra.org/ws/

Text from: Le-monde-de-Ciaran.tumblr.com 

Irish Language Weekend - September 23rd - 25th

Caint is Comhrá and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa Branch Irish Language Weekend

When: Friday, 23rd September to Sunday 25th September 2016

Where: Galilee Mission Centre 398 John Street Arnprior, Ontario (45 minutes northwest of Ottawa off Highway 417)

Cost: $240.00 per person includes all activities, meals and accommodation (Four $100 bursaries available for students) 

Meals included:
Welcome supper – Friday
Breakfast, snacks and lunch – Saturday and Sunday Banquet – Saturday night

Accommodation included: Single rooms,  Shared bathroom

Check-in Time: 5:30 – 7:00 pm Friday Welcome Supper: 6:00 pm Friday 

Caint is Comhrá and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa Branch cordially invite you to our Irish Language immersion weekend, which is open to all levels from beginner to fluent speakers.

The only requirement is a desire to learn and a willingness to speak Irish at all times to the best to one’s ability.

Language classes are mandatory. Workshops (céili/set dancing, stained glass, sean-nós singing and introduction to Celtic traditional music) are optional.

Bring your musical instruments, stories, and songs for the siamsa on Friday night and the céili on Saturday night.

For more information contact:
Toni Forsythe
Phone: 613-233-9927 E-mail: toni144@gmail.com 

A student's reflection on the Arnprior Irish language immersion weekend

 

 

I remember when I first came to the Arnprior immersion weekend someone said "you'd be surprised at how much Irish you learn in just one weekend." 

Five years of tenses, genders, cases, and mutations (these are sexier than their English name suggest) later, it was sometimes difficult to keep this in mind. Two days could not possibly matter when faced with the immense task that is mastering a language. But in fact, every language weekend is like an overdue recharge. Two days without cooking. Two days soaking in fresh autumn air. Two days with friends. Two days hearing as much Irish as you desire. 

Galilee Mission Centre, Arnprior

 

 

Cheap mé gurb fhéidir liom é sin a scríobh as Gaeilge go léir, ach faraor tá mé fós níos compórdaigh dul i muinín an Bhéarla. Tá mé sásta, sin ráite, chun mo chuid Gaeilge a fheabhsú. Ní hé an deireadh seachtaine seo ach ceann do na seansanna atá ag an phobal na Gaeilge ar fud an domhan taisteál nó daoine suimiúla a chasadh. 

The events here use not only language classes to immerse learners, there is also music, dance, and games. Talking about grammar (no matter however necessary at times) will definitely earn prompt and loud 'boo's from the crowd. Not knowing Irish or not knowing "enough" Irish is not considered an original sin because all of us have been there. 

The organising committee puts many tireless hours of work into every such event so we learners can worry about nothing but to learn (with, perhaps, the exception of what to perform as a party piece). 

In fact, Arnprior is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the federal capital for everyone who has wondered what it would feel like to take part in an immersion environment. Keep an eye out for next year's brochure!

Submitted by O. Mou