The Irish American Cultural Institute (IACI), John Walsh Jersey Shore Chapter, is pleased to announce the launch of its inaugural Irish language course to be held on Thursday evenings from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sea Girt Lighthouse, 9 Ocean Avenue, and will run for 10-weeks beginning on February 28 and will run through May 2, 2019.
The Irish language, which is over 2,500 years old, has experienced a resurgence in recent years. In 2018, the Irish Government implemented Blian na Gaeilge, a year-long program of inclusive events to celebrate the Irish language and to encourage increased participation worldwide.
The IACI language course will be facilitated by Mícheál Ó Máille, a native of Connemara, Co. Galway, who grew up speaking Irish. Ó Máille, an award-winning teacher, has experience instructing all levels of language training in immersion programs across the U.S. and abroad. He is a member of a number of various Irish language organizations, including Daltaí na Gaeilge and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and has hosted the Irish radio hour at WRSU, Rutgers.
Ó Máille observed that, “In 2018, there was an unprecedented level of renewed interest in Irish language programs. In 2019, the goal is to build on that momentum by offering classes to our local community. We hope to encourage everyone—beginners and fluent speakers, students and adults—to join us as we study the language that is an integral part of Irish culture and heritage. All are welcome! In addition to learning some Irish, I promise there’s sure to be a bit of ceol agus craic (music and fun) along the way! Bígí linn (join us)!”
For a fee of $150 per person (just $15 per class), each student will receive instructional material for the ten-week course. To register, send a check for $150 per person to IACI Committee, 19 Racquet Road, Wall, N.J. 07719. Please include your phone number on the check. The deadline for registration is February 20, 2019. To ensure that the workshop is rewarding for all participants, attendance will be limited to the first 25 people who register. For additional information, or to ask questions, contact Barbara at 732-280-7439.
The IACI is a federally recognized not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to promote an intelligent appreciation of Ireland and the role and contributions of the Irish in American culture. It is the only Irish-American organization that has as its patron The President of Ireland.