Irish has always been an important part of my life

Irish has always been an important part of my life

30 September 2015

IRISH has always played an integral part of Aoife Ní Con Midhe’s life as her father Éamonn is fluent in the language.

She recently graduated from the Ulster University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Irish Language and Irish Literature and while now planning to study Spanish, her long term goal is to work as a presenter with an Irish language television station.

“The Naiscoil and Bunscoil were very important to me before my post-primary education started at  Colaiste Feirste in Belfast. Irish was always been a really important part of my life as I was raised with the language,” said Aoife.

“I was lucky I could go through my nursery, primary and post-primary eduction via the Irish medium. Not everyone is able to have this opportunity and I count myself lucky to have been able to do this.

“This helped my love for the language grow and I know this is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing. I would like to learn Spanish and maybe move to Spain to help me with this, but long term I would like to get into presenting on an Irish language television channel.”

Aoife is also encouraging parents contemplating sending their children to the Naiscoil to do so, even if the child does not want to go through the rest of his or her life speaking Irish.

“Sending children to the Naiscoil helps give them a gift of learning another language and being able to write in Irish as well. This would simply not be possible without the Naiscoil,” she added.

Gearóid Ó Molcraobihe, who is currently studying business studies and Irish at the University of Ulster’s Jordanstown campus, said he “really benefited” from learning Irish at such a young age.

He explained: “I really loved coming here. It was really great, gave me so much and sparked my interest in Irish, something which is as strong today as it was when I came here for the first time.

“I left here and went to the Bunscoil before attending Colaiste Feirste in Belfast. Parents who send their children to the Naiscoil will not regret doing so as they can learn the basics of a second language in what is their formative years. 

“The basics of the language they learn here is something that not only will they ever forget, but provide a platform on which to build for the future.”

Gearóid described the Naiscoil as “amazing” and said having a second language is something that will stand students in good stead in second and third level education and throughout their adult lives.

He added: “Having a second language opens up so many doors and learning Irish from an early age is something that I would recommend. It has been brilliant for me and parents should have no hesitation is helping their children learn Irish.”