- Cumann Gaelach
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An Cumann Gaelach (English: The Irish language Society) is a student society typically found in most colleges and universities in Ireland. Many of the groups were founded in the early 1900s as part of a wider revival of the language, which saw the establishment of national groups such as Conradh na Gaeilge (English: Gaelic League). Although the groups are not formally linked, they operate in a similar manner through the facilitating of Irish classes (usually free), céilís and trips to the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking areas), while many hold special events during Seachtain na Gaeilge (English: Irish Language Week), which takes place the fortnight before St Patrick’s Day. Many of the societies also take part in the annual 'Glór na nGael' (English: The Voice of the Gael) competition, which gives awards to third level groups for their work in the promotion of the Irish language within their institutions. The competition is coordinated partly by Foras na Gaeilge (the body charged with promoting the language) and has existed for several decades. It included a specific category for colleges and universities for the first time in 2006.
Contents
Membership
Since 2003, the Irish language daily, Lá Nua, has published an annual survey of the country’s main 'Cumainn Ghaelacha' (plural form) and their membership. The 2007 edition features a total of eleven groups, with the Trinity College, Dublin Cumann cementing its position as the largest, gaining more than 50%, with Queen's University Belfast Cumann the largest in Northern Ireland.
University 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 Dublin City University - 50 140 160 149 Dublin Institute of Technology - 30 31 132 188 NUI Galway - - - 360 155 NUI Maynooth 30 60 70 150 122 Queen's University Belfast 25 46 85 88 168 St Mary's University College - - - - 30 Trinity College, Dublin 330 520 525 700 1,060 University College Cork - 600 400 520 950 University College Dublin - 230 370 312 812 University of Limerick - - 74 110 100 University of Ulster, Coleraine - - 60 60 50 Total 385 1,536 1,755 2,592 3,784 See also
References
- Lá Nua: "'Glúin TG4' ag teacht in aibíocht ar champais ollscoile na hÉireann"; Monday 10 December 2007.
External links
Categories:- Irish language
- Entities with Irish names
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