Irish Gaelic Circle of CT

Irish language classes cancelled this morning at the GDICC-Jan 21, 2012

2012-01-21T09:03:00.000-05:00

A chairde:
Due to the road conditions our classes are cancelled for today. Classes will resume next Saturday.

Ó! Féach an fear sneachta
Ó! Tá sé go deas:
Tá hata dubh ar a cheann
Agus carbhat glas

Fear sneachta, fear sneachta,
Fear sneachta bog bán;
Fear sneachta, fear sneachta.
Amuigh ar an mbán.

Tá cnaipí ina chóta
Agus píopa ina bhéal:
Ó! Tá sé go hiontach,
M'fhear sneachta féin.

A very appropriate poem for today about a snowman. Well-known in Ireland. Enjoy!

Teach na Gaeilge ag UCD - Irish Language House at UCD

2012-01-04T23:05:00.000-05:00

Irish Language Classes to Resume in January

2012-01-03T00:14:00.000-05:00

The Beginner's class will start again on Saturday, Jan 21st at 10:30 AM (at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center). The Intermediate class will start on Wednesday, Jan. 18th at 9 PM on Skype. (Skype is free and very easy to use and you just call in from home...).

The classes are conducted in a friendly atmosphere where we learn the language and culture of Ireland. Contact me if you have any questions or would like to register for a class. Looking forward to talking with you as Gaeilge!

Teachtaireacht don Nollaig ó Uachtarán Michael D Higgins

2011-12-23T21:47:00.000-05:00

Greater Danbury Irish Festival 2011

2011-09-27T12:04:00.000-04:00

Members of the Irish Gaelic Circle of CT were at the Irish language exhibit in the Cultural Tent giving out children's name tags in Irish and accepting registrations for the upcoming Fall Irish language classes. See previous posting for information about classes.

Registration for Irish Language Classes

2011-09-11T16:45:00.000-04:00

Registration is open for the new Fall term. There will be a Beginner's class meeting on Saturday mornings at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center. The class will meet weekly startng on October 8th for an 8 week term.

The Intermediate class will meet via Skype on Wednesday evenings from the comfort of your own home starting on October 5th. For additional details and registration, call 203 417-1700 or email: jfeeney@kells-all.com. See us on Facebook also.

The Irish language is the window to 2,000 years of Irish culture. The classes are designed to be able to read, write and speak the language enjoying this exploration of our heritage.

Daltaí Immersion Week

2011-09-05T00:12:00.000-04:00

Daltaí na Gaeilge just completed their immersion week in Esopus, NY. Several of us attended. See photos from the seisiún and one of the classes. You can see more photos on their website listed here. Dáithí Flaithimh was the invited guest teacher from Ireland.

Summer Irish Classes and Conversation Group

2011-06-22T01:26:00.000-04:00

There will be a short summer class for Irish at the Introductory level starting on Saturday, July 9th for 5 weeks. We will meet at the Greater Danbury Irish Center (GDICC) at 10:15 AM and the class will be for one hour.

There will also be a summer Irish conversation group which will be at the GDICC starting on the same day at 11:15 AM. All are welcome even if you only wish to hear spoken Irish.

For info call or email.

slán go fóill

Seán

Mass for St. Patrick in Irish at St. Peter's in Danbury, CT

2011-03-15T14:33:00.000-04:00

Members of the Irish Gaelic Circle of CT will be doing several of the readings and prayers in Irish at the Hibernian Mass honoring St. Patrick at 11 AM, March 17th. Mass to be followed by a flag raising at Danbury City Hall. Mass is open to the public.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh (many thanks) to the members of the Circle who did the Irish readings at St. Edward's in New Fairfield, CT last Saturday! Stephanie Wanzer and Carolyn Mueller (both intermediate level students) and John Joyce (native speaker from Connemara) did an excellent job!

Spring 2011 Classes

2011-03-15T14:19:00.000-04:00

The class schedule for the Spring semester is as follows:

Beginners (meet Tuesday evenings via Skype at 9:15 PM ET)

March 1,8,15,22,29
April 5,12,26
May 3 and10

Intermdediate (meet Saturday mornings at 10:15 AM ET)
March 5,19
April 9,23
May 14,21
June 11,18

Nollaig Shona Daoibh Go Leir!

2010-12-21T16:36:00.001-05:00

A Chairde:

Beannachtaí na Nollag agus Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise Daoibh!

Seán

Cóisir Nollag - Christmas Party

2010-12-07T00:17:00.000-05:00

The Irish classes will be getting together with the music classes this year for the annual Christmas party:
Saturday, Dec 11th at 11 AM at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center located at 6 Lake Ave. in Danbury. Students and alumni are all welcome! Bia, deoch, ceol and plenty of conversation as Gaeilge. There will be a seisiún!

Irish Classes Start for Fall 2010

2010-09-29T14:42:00.000-04:00

Classes start again at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center (6 Lake Ave., Danbury) on Saturday, Oct. 2nd at 10:30 AM for the Intermediate class and Monday, Oct. 4th at 6:45 PM for the Beginners and 8:15 PM for the 2nd Year Level class.

New features:

The Intermediate class is actually a new addition to the school this year as this class will focus on students who have more than 2 years of Irish study.
Students can now attend class online via Skype.

Looking forward to an exciting new season!

Irish Language Lesson at the Danbury Irish Festival

2010-09-21T22:27:00.000-04:00

The Irish Gaelic Circle of CT and Daltaí na Gaeilge will have displays in the Cultural tent of the Festival this weekend starting on Friday, Sept. 24th. I will give a half hour lesson on Irish entitled Enough Irish to Get By. See the website for more info on this excellent festival: http://www.danburyirishfestival.com/cultural.htm

Registration for Irish Language classes will also be available at the Festival.

It is never too late to learn a new language!

2010-09-16T11:15:00.000-04:00

The Danbury NewsTimes published an interesting article on learning a new language and Irish in particular!http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/It-s-never-too-late-to-learn-a-new-language-660460.php

An Invitation to Glucksman Ireland House

2010-09-07T14:22:00.000-04:00

“Goltraí, Geantraí, Suantraí”

with Seosaimhín Ni Bheaglaoich

www.irelandhouse.fas.nyu.edu/object/ne.geantrai

Daltaí na Gaeilge Immersion Week

2010-09-05T21:21:00.000-04:00

Daltaí Immersion Week came to an end yesterday and was a great success!! Check out the Photos and Video posted on their Facebook page!

Daltai's Esopus Week Starts This Sunday Evening

2010-08-28T10:18:00.001-04:00

Daltaí na Gaeilge begins their weeklong celebration of Irish language and culture this Sunday evening in Esopus, NY. The week runs until Saturday at noon and is a relaxed week of Irish classes, singing, dancing, lectures, storytelling and being with friends. The event is held every year on the beautiful grounds of the Marist Brothers Retreat Center located on the Hudson River. I hope to see you there! Bígí linn!

Fall 2010 Irish Language Classes

2010-08-18T21:41:00.001-04:00

I hope you are all enjoying the summer and Lúnasa. September is approaching and with that Irish Language classes begin again at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center. The heart and soul of a people is in their language. Come and learn this beautiful and ancient language! Enjoy the company of other students and Irish speakers. Bígí linn!

Register by phone or email.

Irish is a joke language - InsideIreland.ie

2010-07-05T20:31:00.000-04:00

Irish is a joke language - InsideIreland.ie

An interesting and informative article.

Irish Conversation Group Started

2010-06-25T23:03:00.000-04:00

Cuireadh tús ar Grúpa Comhrá ag The Irish Gaelic Circle. Beidh muid teacht le chéile ag an Gaelic American Club (sa phub) suite ar Beach Road i bhFairfield, CT, Déardaoin 1ú lá mí Iúil. Bígí linn le haghaidh spórt agus craic!

Summer Classes to Start at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center

2010-06-10T22:35:00.000-04:00

Classes at the Beginner and Intermediate levels will start on Monday, June 21st and continue to August 16th. There will be no class on July 5th for Independence Day. This will be a total of 8 classes. The classes will be at the GDICC at the same times as during the year i.e. Intermediate 6:45 PM and Beginners 8:00 PM. The classes will be a continuation of the Spring term. Looking forward to speaking with all of you.

slán go fóill

An t-Uachtarán Máire Mhic Ghiolla Íos

2010-05-25T22:16:00.000-04:00

Bhí dream againn ón Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center (mise fein, mo bhean chéile Seoige, Eileen Alberts, Kathy Hannigan agus Julie Tacey) ag freastail an fháiltithe don Uachtarán na h-Eireann agus a fear céile Dr. Martin McAleese. Thug an t-Uachtarán cuairt ar go Nua Eabhrac an seachtain seo chun na ceangail ghnó agus cultúrtha a neartú. Ba onóir mór dom bualadh leis an Uachtarán agus go mór mór a bheith ag labhairt leis an Uachtarán as Gaeilge. Bhí mé ag damhsa ar dhroim na muice in a dhiaidh sin! Tá Gaeilge líofa ag an Uachtarán Mhic Giolla Íos agus tugeann sí a lán tacaíochta don teanga.

Bhí seans againn ceangail nua a dhéanamh agus seanchenagail a neartú freisin. Bhain muid sult mór as an oíche.http://s.clickability.com/s?19=30300&32=7184&36=534982&22=3024659&37=23103302&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishcentral.com%2Fnews%2F-Irish-President-pays-tribute-to-emigrants-and-calls-on-Irish-to-help-their-own-at-home-94726459.html&18=0.832930786177583

Irish Speakers are a Social and Educational Elite - Report

2010-05-11T22:12:00.000-04:00

There is a new study issued by the Universities of Ulster and Limerick on the above topic. See the report in the following link: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0109/1224261977461.html?sms_ss=google.

Weekend getaways to Ireland without ever leaving the USA--awakening your Gaelic soul | The Keane Edge | IrishCentral

2010-04-27T18:33:00.000-04:00

This spring I was able to attend the Irish Speakers Weekend hosted by Daltaí na Gaeilge as I do almost every year. Here is an excellent article about it by Brendan Keane who was there also.
Weekend getaways to Ireland without ever leaving the USA--awakening your Gaelic soul The Keane Edge IrishCentral

Summer Irish Language Classes

2010-04-24T22:22:00.001-04:00

Several students have asked about classes during the summer. Many students don't want to lose their language skills that they have achieved by breaking during the summer. Classes can be arranged for the Beginner and Intermediate levels if there are enough students to enroll. Please call or e-mail if you are interested in one of these classes so that a program can be put together.

slán go fóill

Masses in Irish Celebrating the Feast of St. Patrick and Parade

2010-03-11T15:54:00.000-05:00

Students of the Irish Gaelic Circle of CT will be doing some of the readings and prayers in Irish at Masses in New Fairfield and Danbury, CT. The first Mass will be at St. Edward the Confessor in New Fairfield at 9 AM Saturday, March 13th. A parade will follow leading from the church to a reception at the library in New Fairfield. The second Mass will be at St. Peter Church in Danbury at 11 AM on St. Patrick's Day, Wednesday, March 17th. A flag raising at City Hall will follow the Mass. Festivities will follow for the rest of the day at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center on Lake Ave (http://www.gdicc.org/).

The Danbury Hibernian St. Patrick's parade will occur on Sunday, March 14th. Meet at Kennedy Park at 1:30 PM and step-off is 2 PM. Irish language students will march under the Daltai na Gaeilge banner. The parade will march to the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center on Lake Ave. Free food and refreshments for the marchers! Festivities for the rest of the day.

Reception at the Irish Consulate in New York

2010-02-18T21:20:00.001-05:00

A chairde,
The Deputy Counsul General Breandán Ó Caollaí and his wife Carmel Callan will host a Cultural evening at the Consulate for Irish Language students and speakers on Wednesday, Feb. 24th. It will run from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. This will also launch the European Certification in Irish for 2010. See the website for location and directions: http://www.consulateofirelandnewyork.org/. Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to attend.

It will be an enjoyable evening with other students and Irish speakers. Bígí linn!

Daltaí na Gaeilge - February Weekend!

2010-02-09T16:46:00.000-05:00

Daltaí's February Irish language weekend starts this Friday evening Feb 12th and runs until 1 PM on Sunday. The Teacher's Workshop progam follows at 3 PM and continues until 1 PM Monday. Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair from Dun na nGall is doing the teacher's program and has already climbed on the plane as I am posting this! Don't miss a great learning weekend. There is still time to register on the Daltaí website: http://www.daltai.com/ and check under Events.

You can attend the Teacher's Workshop even if you don't teach. The best thing an Irish language student can do is spend a relaxed and friendly weekend with Irish speakers.

Bígí linn!!

Lá na Gaeilge - The Hedge School

2010-02-09T16:28:00.000-05:00

The Hedge School will have their annual Lá na Gaeilge on Saturday, February 27th. The school is located at IONA College in New Rochelle, NY. This all day program includes excellent classes for all levels, guest lecture, film and a seisiún. This Lá has always been outstanding. For additional info and registration see their blog at http://thehedgeschool.blogspot.com/. See more about this Lá as mentioned in an article by Irish Central: http://www.irishcentral.com/story/ent/the_keane_edge/nyus-irish-language-day-packs-ireland-house-83816697.html.

E-mail: thehedgeschool@gmail.com.

Feicfidh mé ann sibh!

Language classes are on schedule for this evening!

2010-01-25T12:27:00.001-05:00

Tá ranganna ar siúl anocht ag an Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center suite ar 6 Lake Ave, Danbury, CT. Beidh chili ar fáil nuair a bhaineann tú amach!

Classes Resume for the Spring Term 2010

2010-01-17T21:41:00.002-05:00

Dia daoibh, a chairde! I hope your Holidays were enjoyable. Weekly classes start again on Monday, January 25th. Intermediate at 6:45 PM and Beginners at 8:00 PM as we had last term. The classes will be held at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center (GDICC) located at 6 Lake Ave in Danbury, CT. The classes are a continuation of the previous term. The class schedule is as follows:

Jan 25
Feb 1, 8, 15 (no class), 22
March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 (no class)
April 5, 12, 19, 26
May 3 and 10.

There will be a total of 14 classes. To register or for more information call 203 417-1700 or e-mail jfeeney@kells-all.com.

The February weekend by Daltaí na Gaeilge is coming up on the 12-14th and 14-15th for the teacher's workshop. The weekends are excellent and details are available on their website http://www.daltai.com/ and Events.

I look forward to speaking Irish with all again!

Cóisir Nollag

2009-12-31T19:23:00.000-05:00

The classes got together for a Christmas party and seisiún on December 14th at the Hibernian hall in Danbury. Everyone brought something to share for dinner and to drink. For the seisiún there were a variety of poems, songs as Gaeilge and music on the tin whistle.

At left is Rita on the tin whistle.

Tá Eibhlín, Máire agus Megan ag baint sult as an gcóisreacht.

ATHBHLIAIN FAOI MHÁISE DAOIBH GO LÉIR!

Irish Language Classes Resume for Fall 09

2009-09-03T22:23:00.002-04:00

Irish language classes will resume on Monday, Sept 28th for a 10 week term:

Sept. 28
Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26
Nov. 2, 9, 16, 30
Dec. 7

Classes will be offered at 2 levels:
1. Beginner level
2. Advanced Intermediate level (This class will now be held on the same night i.e. Monday night)

Registration is open now. Tuition: $120 plus cost of books. For information call 203 417-1700 or e-mail: jfeeney@kells-all.com.

Location: 161 Main St. Danbury, CT

Looking forward to seeing you all again and meeting some new ones.

le gach dea-mhéin

John

Irish Language Week - Daltai na Gaeilge

2009-08-08T23:08:00.003-04:00

Daltai will hold their annual Irish Language Week this month from August 23-29th. A week of Irish language classes for all levels with workshops in dance, tin whistle and singing available. There will be interesting talks, films and music seisiúns also. The setting is the Marist Brothers Retreat Center located in a beautiful wooded area on the Hudson. There is time to enjoy the trails, inground pool and the area around Esopus, NY each day. This is great way to learn Irish with a friendly group and will certainly enhance your fluency. Registration details are on their website at www.daltai.com. Look for Events and follow the prompts. The deadline is August 15th so don't delay.

Lá na Gaeilge and Rebirth of An Gael Magazine

2009-06-17T20:01:00.003-04:00

I had the good fortune to be teaching at the Lá na Gaeilge hosted by the Irish Cultural Center (ICC) at Elms College (Chicopee, MA) on Saturday, June 6th. An excellent program was put together by Elms former president Kathleen Keating, SSJ and Elms Professor Emeritus Thomas Moriarty. The setting was very inspirational in a Romanesque Manor house called Berchmans Hall with its stone fireplaces and stained glass windows. The members of the ICC ran a language program at 4 levels, workshops for dance, computer, drama and a film selection from Bibeanna. Bibeanna is a series of interviews of Irish women who have spent their entire lives in the Dingle Peninsula area. Filmed in Irish. The day ended with a fine seisiún. A Lá worth attending each year.

Last Friday I attended the second launch of the Irish Language magazine An Gael at the Irish Consulate in Manhattan. The first launch was in the 1800's and the magazine ceased publication in 1904. Now with the growing interest in an Ghaeilge and a resurgent Cumann Carad na Gaeilge (The Philo-Celtic Society), the first edition of the reborn An Gael was published in June. A beautiful magazine with good articles, poetry and photography and all in Irish. The magazine will be published quarterly and is available at http://angael.magcloud.com or www.litriocht.com. The website is: www.angaelmagazine.com.

Slán go fóill

Irish Classes in Danbury

2009-05-20T22:33:00.002-04:00

The Spring term at the Irish Gaelic Circle was completed this week. Classes will begin again in the Fall at the end of September. Registration will begin in September and at the Danbury Irish Festival in the Cultural tent. Bain sult as an shamhradh! (Enjoy the summer).

Daltaí Weekend

2009-05-20T21:47:00.003-04:00

Daltaí na Gaeilge had their May Irish language weekend on May 9-11 at the Marist Brothers Retreat Center in Esopus, NY. I was there for that Saturday to take part in the conversation classes, dance workshop, seisiún and céilí along with several students from our classes: Johanna, Katie and Christine. It was a sizeable group from the CT Irish classes including Danbury, East Haven and Westport. One of the scholarship recipients from last summer, Mattiú Tully, gave a slide presentation in Irish about his trip to the Oideas Gael school in Donegal. Speaking of scholarships, 3 one week scholarships were awarded during the céilí. Two for study in Ireland and one for study at Daltaí's Summer week program in August. All in all a very enjoyable weekend learning and using Irish with like-minded people in a cultural atomosphere.

Classes on Schedule Tonight

2009-03-09T13:28:00.002-04:00

Tá na ranganna ar siúl anocht. Feicfidh mé anocht sibh!

Classes Cancelled - Ranganna Curtha ar Ceal

2009-03-02T11:27:00.003-05:00

Níl aon ranganna anocht mar go bhfuil stoirm ar siúl.

Bainigí sult as an sneachta!

Masses and Parades for St. Patrick

2009-03-01T23:06:00.006-05:00

There will be Masses at St. Edward's in New Fairfield, CT on Saturday, March 14th at 9 AM and at St. Peter's in Danbury, CT on Tuesday, March 17th at 11 AM. Readings and some prayers will be done in Irish to honor St Patrick and our Irish heritage. The Masses are open to all.

On Sunday, March 15th, the Danbury Hibernians will have a parade down Main Street in honor of St. Patrick. Students of the Irish Gaelic Circle of CT will march as a group under the Daltaí banner. The parade ends up at the AOH hall for more festivities. Step off is 2 PM. Meet at Rogers Park at 1 PM.

For info see contact info at right.

Lá na Gaeilge - Irish Language Day

2009-03-01T22:45:00.003-05:00

The Hedge School will have their annual Lá na Gaeilge on Saturday, March 21st. The school is located at IONA College in New Rochelle, NY. This all day program includes excellent classes for all levels, guest lecture (Seán Céitinn from Belfast), Poetry/Book Launch (Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh from Tralee, County Kerry) and a seisiún. This Lá has always been outstanding. For additional info and registration see their blog at thehedgeschool.blogspot.com.
E-mail: thehedgeschool@gmail.com.

Silver Fainne Award!

2009-02-19T23:27:00.010-05:00

Daltai na Gaeilge held their annual February Immersion Weekend this past weekend. It was their largest event ever with 120 people in attendance at all levels of fluency. An enjoyable weekend of language classes, workshops for music, dance and teachers, a seisiún and céilí.

A highpoint for the weekend is the awarding of Silver and Gold Fáinne for students in recognition of their speaking abilities. One of our own students, Ellen (Eibhlín) Stockbridge, was awarded a Silver Fáinne for her fluency. She is being awarded the Fainne (top picture) by Eileen Zurell and Ethel Brogan, founder of Daltai. In the other picture, she is joined by the other students who received Fáinne that evening. Maith thú, a Eibhlín. Comhghairdeas leat! Congratulations!

In addition to her skills in Irish, Eibhlín is a great supporter of the language and culture through her participation in various Irish cultural events in CT and NY.

2009-01-13T21:01:00.002-05:00

Irish Language Weekend

Daltai na Gaeilge (Students of the Irish Language) will hold one of its annual weekends in Esopus, NY (just north of Poughkeepsie) on Feb. 13 -15th. This is a fabulous event for students and speakers of all levels from complete beginner to native speaker. There is a céilí and seisiún as well as classes, talks, and workshops on music, dance and singing offered. All in a friendly atmosphere among people sharing their common interest in the Irish language and culture. For info visit their website at www.daltai.com and go to Events. Its a great website also.

2009-01-13T20:42:00.002-05:00

Weekly Classes Begin Again in Danbury

Classes will resume Monday, January 19th at the AOH hall at 161 Main St., Danbury, CT. The Intermediate class will start at 6:45 PM and the Beginners class at 8:00 PM. There will be 14 classes for the Spring term and the dates are as follows:

Jan. 19 & 26th.
Feb. 2, 9 & 23rd.
March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30th.
April 13, 20 and 27th.
May 4th.

The cost of classes is $155. To register or for additional information e-mail: jfeeney@kells-all.com or phone: 203 417-1700. I look forward to seeing you all again.

Classes Resume

2009-01-05T22:04:00.002-05:00

Classes will resume again in mid-January. Please check this blog again for time and dates shortly.

John