Dromore school proud of its pupils’ Irish language achievements

SEVEN pupils of Tummery Primary School showed ‘great confidence and pride’ when showing off their Irish language skills during their Silver Fáinne speaking exams.

The Dromore school was recently delighted to welcome Cónall Mac Cú Uladh to host the speaking exams, with pupils Ellie Sheridan and Rosie O’Neill of Primary Five, Nico Simpson, Dara O’Neill, Tierna O’Neill and Maddie Quinn of Primary Six and Darcie Quinn of Primary Seven taking part.

Primary Four and Five teacher, Catherine Boyle, who overlooks promotion of the Irish language within Tummery PS, said that ‘the life of a language is to speak it’.

“We are delighted to be taking part in the Scoil Spreagtha scheme and to be working alongside Dromore GFC as we continue to promote the vibrant language culture that we promote here at Tummery PS,” she said. “In Key Stage 2, we have a strong focus on conversational Irish. Pupils have shown outstanding commitment to developing their standard of spoken Irish; practising at school inside and outside of school as well as at home.

“It is great to see the next generation of passionate Gaeilgeoirí excelling and inspiring other pupils and staff within our school community.

“Beatha teanga í a labhairt – The life of a language is to speak it,” she added.

Indeed, Irish language plays a central part to the atmosphere of the Dromore’s school. Tummery PS have been taking part in the Scoil Spreagtha – a scheme to promote Irish in English medium schools – since October 23, winning the highest accolade, the Scoil Spreagtha’s ‘School of the Year award 2024 ’ out of over 80 schools.

Principal of Tummery PS, Niall Sludden said that he was ‘extremely proud’ of all the children who have completed their silver fáinne.

“To see so many children taking an interest and showing the dedication and desire to learn the Irish language is fantastic,” he said.

“Miss Catherine Boyle deserves massive thanks and credit for her support and drive towards the Irish language. A big thank you too to the parents who constantly support the children with this journey.

“Thank you to Cónall Mac Cú Uladh and Dromore GFC for their support towards the Irish language in the Dromore community and our school.

“It is the children though who have immersed themselves into their native language and they have worked so hard at their conversational Irish. It is a real credit to them and we hope that they will continue to inspire others to speak the language.”

Cónall Mac Cú Uladh, Irish language development officer at Dromore GFC, added, “I was delighted to attend Tummery Primary School on behalf of CLG An Droim Mór Naomh Damhnait, to help the school with the Fáinne airgid exam.

“The participating children had no problem with their spoken Irish and showed great confidence and pride when using it.

“The standard of Irish that the children were speaking is of the same standard you would hear in a Gaelscoil.

“The Irish language has been heard in Tummery PS for over 100 years and it is great to see that it is still being used in the daily life of the school.”

He added, “As a club, we will continue to support our local schools in their promotion of our culture and we recently held fun mornings for primary school children through the medium of Irish and we look forward to bringing these back when this year’s on-field activities finish.

As learners and speakers of the Irish language, we need to bring the language out of the classroom and into our everyday lives and communities.

“I look forward to hearing these young people speaking their native tongue in Páirc Ghearrdhroma and around Droim Mór.”