Latest news with #MáireNíChurraoin
BreakingNews.ie
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Irish speaking TikTok creator backs calls for teaching national anthem in schools
A native Irish speaking Tik Tok creator and Sean Nós singer is backing an Irish TD's call for the mandatory teaching of the national anthem in schools. Máire Ní Churraoin has received a huge following on social media since she began teaching the words to the Irish Anthem 'Amhrain na bhFiann' across her Instagram and TikTok Channels. Advertisement So far her posts which include English translations to the 'Soldier's Song' have garnered over one million views since she first started last year. The Irish language content creator, sean-nós singer, TV presenter and artistic researcher has over 103,000 followers on TikTok and 52,000 followers on Instagram, where she actively promotes the Irish language as a vibrant living language. Máire said she was shocked at noticing how many teenagers didn't know the national song while she was working as a substitute teacher across many schools across Meath in the last few years. She no longer teaches and is currently on scholarship for the PhD in Modern Irish and Performing Arts. Advertisement She has now agreed that the song should be taught as part of the curriculum in schools, a call which was also made by Waterford TD and Sinn Fein's spokesperson for Rural Affairs, Community Development and the Gaeltacht Deputy Conor D. McGuinness earlier this week. The 26 year old teacher who hails from the Rathcairn Gaeltacht in Co. Meath admits that she also never learned the song while at an Irish speaking school. "I 100% agree it should be taught in schools and students should know every word from a young age," she said. "I thought nothing of it when I posted a TikTok video last year singing Amhrain na bhFiann before the All-Ireland GAA football final but then it hit me, through the comments that so many people didn't know their own country's anthem and wanted to learn it. Advertisement "So I posted another few videos with phonetics and translations and they got an amazing reaction." Máire said it was such a pity that so many didn't know the anthem and that everyone should be proud to stand up and sing it at as many occasions as possible. "It is such a beautiful song and contains so much pride in our history. "I didn't learn it at school, it wasn't a community or family thing. My sister Étain and I only learned it when it was sung at the end of ceilis by visiting students who came to Rathcairn to learn to be more fluent in the Irish language. Advertisement "While I was teaching in post-primary schools, I tried to give them a flavour of the Irish anthem and found everyone was so willing and eager to learn the song. "The etiquette should also be taught. People should stand, put down their phones and even just be respectfully silent if they don't know the words when it is played. "Many people only know the last line of the song, if at all, to sing at sporting events. And it seems that many young players lining out ahead of a match also struggle with the words. "It is our national song. We wave the flag so we should be able to sing it."
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wicklow students given award for breathing life into Irish language
Run by Gael Linn, 'Gaelbhratach' is a national initiative that encourages primary and secondary school students to speak Irish outside of the formal classroom setting, and when schools complete certain targets, they are awarded a 'Gaelbhratach' flag. Among the attendees were pupils from Scoil Naomh Iósaf, Baltinglass, who were recognised for their promotion of the Irish language through activities set up and run by the student committee, including Irish speaking competitions, yard games in Irish and by learning Irish songs and dances. As part of the celebrations at the awards ceremony, the students from Wicklow enjoyed interactive games led by former 'Gaelbhratach' committee members Máire Ní Churraoin and Barry ó Siochriú. Entertainment by Giggles the clown and games included an obstacles course, tug of war, a céilí and a well-earned ice cream to wrap up the day. A total of 163 flags were awarded to primary schools this year – over double the figure from last year – in recognition of the students' efforts to inspire and empower their school communities to speak Irish. In May of this year, a further 140 flags were presented to students from post-primary schools. Edel Ní Bhraonáin, Bainisteoir Gaelbhratach said: 'We were delighted to be back in Roscrea last week for the 'Gaelbhratach' awards. 'Gaelbhratach' gives young people of any age or background the opportunity to use and develop their Irish language skills outside of the traditional classroom setting. The programme aims to put the student voice at the centre of their learning through the 'Gaelbhratach' committee. The 'Gaelbhratach' initiative empowers students in Wicklow to take active ownership of their language use and learning while promoting Irish in meaningful, self-directed ways. 'The scheme is going from strength to strength each year, with over 90 primary schools taking part in the initiative for this first time this year. It's inspiring to see young people's growing passion for the language. The most rewarding part of the scheme is hearing feedback from both students and teachers about how they've woven the language into their daily lives and the positive impact it has made.'
