MAKING child’s play of learning Irish has earned a Limerick primary school a national flag of honour.
Primary school students from Anglesboro National School in County Limerick attended an awards ceremony in Roscrea, County Tipperary, where they were presented with a Gaelbhratach prize.
Phrases of the week, Irish board games, Gaelgeoir na Seachtaine, and yard games in Irish are just some of the activities set up and run by the Anglesboro student committee, who were recognised for their promotion of the Irish language.
Now in the third year of the Gaelbhratach programme, Anglesboro has earned its second flag – a symbol of the school’s dedication to promoting Irish. Their Gaelbhratach committee spans all ages, from first to sixth class, including a representative from their autism spectrum disorder class.
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.
Speaking about the initiative, Anglesboro principal Séan Kearney said that “taking on any extra project can be a lot of work for teachers, but the Gaelbhratach is something truly special”.
“It’s incredibly rewarding for the children, they’re doing it not just for their teachers, but for themselves and for each other.
“While many children don’t get the chance to use Irish at home, our school creates that opportunity every day. It’s not just about formal Irish classes.
“We’ve hosted Irish language board game days where the entire school comes together – mixing classes, playing, and learning together. The students on the committee take charge, ensuring that everyone feels included.”
Mr Kearney said that, for Anglesboro, “Gaelbhratach has grown beyond a scheme – it’s become a movement. A movement that has empowered students, supported teachers, and revived Gaeilge in the classroom.”
Commenting on the awards, Gaelbhratach manager Edel Nà Bhraonáin said “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.”
