About us
Gaeil a’Ghleanna - literally The Irish of the ‘Dale - is the name we’ve given ourselves in Gaelic. The Rochdale Irish Language Group was formed in July 2008.
Since then it has averaged between 15 and 20 members. Most of these were born in Ireland but there are 5 English people in the group also.
Each others company and the ‘craic’ is what is most important to the group members. Becoming more fluent in the language is of course also important.
Since there is a wealth of knowledge of our native language and culture within the group it is a self help group as well as a teaching group.
Our motto in Irish is Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine—‘People live in one another’s shelter’. We are most fortunate in having the lovely Sacred Heart Parish Centre for our sessions. It has all the necessary presentation facilities including wi fi plus a kitchen where we make the tea half way through the sessions.
We come together 30 weeks in the year on Thursday evenings from seven till nine. The first hour is given over to teaching the Irish language.
In the second hour the group comes together for a variety of activities— singing, poetry reading, and games such as bingo, cards, darts and throwing dice; simple dramas written by members. We also watch a variety of dvd’s and Irish TV programmes.
Chairperson: Pat Shine (pandjshine@gmail.com) 01706 630981 Secretary:MaryCasey Treasurer: John Welsh
Our thanks to Rochdale Online www.rochdaleonline.co.uk for making this website possible