Well done to the teenagers from Claregalway, Carnmore and Annaghdown who completed two courses which mixed water sports with the Irish language at the Galway Bay Sailing Club (GBSC) in Rinville, Oranmore, last month.

This was the second year in which Gaeltacht an Eachréidh partnered with the GBSC to provide financial support to teenagers who wanted to improve their Irish while enjoying a week of fun activities on the water.

The first ever ‘Gaeilge Chois Trá’ camp was a huge success last year. This year it was expanded over two weeks, with the first week aimed at first-year and second- year students and the second course for older students with a heavy emphasis on preparing for the oral Irish test in the Leaving Certificate examination.

Strong winds and heavy rain did not dampen the spirits of the younger students during the first week.

Instead, the leaders came up with some brilliant indoor games and activities to make up for some lost time out at sea. The teenagers also got to enjoy kayaking around the bay.

Students were encouraged to speak Irish throughout the day and the instructors were all fluent Irish speakers. Some of the teenage leaders had trained at the acclaimed Coláiste Uisce in the Erris Gaeltacht in Co. Mayo.

Thankfully, the weather was much better for the second course which was for Transition Year and Fifth Year students.

In the mornings, their Irish teacher focused on preparation for the Oral Irish examination in the Leaving Certificate and the teenagers had an hour and a half of Irish classes with an experienced Irish teacher in the mornings.

Activities on both courses included learning how to sail, how to use a rib, kayaking, swimming, pier jumping, a céili and a quiz – with all activities ‘as Gaeilge’. There were some very enjoyable games and dances on the days when it was too rough to take to the sea.

The feedback we have received from parents has been hugely positive.

“My daughter loved it, despite the weather. She was with three friends and they all really enjoyed it. She has a renewed love of water and it pushed her out of her comfort zone,” said one happy mother.

All of the parents surveyed gave the course five out of five stars and we are hoping this can become an annual option for teenagers on the east side of Galway City who want to improve their Irish and enjoy sports and activities at the same time.

“The Irish was well balanced with the fun activities and kudos to the helpers for adapting around the awful weather,” said one of the parents on the course for older teenagers.

With Irish colleges in Connemara and the Aran Islands often selling out almost a year in advance, the Gaeilge Chois Trá courses are a wonderful alternative for teenagers in our area during the summer holidays.