Cúrsa Tumoideachais sa Ghaeilge

Immersion Camps:
The first immersion camps in Irish language and culture were organized in
the Gaeltachtaí (Irish-speaking districts) of Ireland in 1901 and quickly became a corner
-stone of themovement to preserve Ireland’s ancient Gaelic culture. It was here that students encountered the
living culture, learned the language, the music and dance and returned home to share their learning and
experience within their own communities. The importance of these camps in saving the
culture from extinction is undeniable. The course offered in Butte againthis summer is designed to give
students the same experience, with the hope that they in turn will help in the movement here in the
United States to preserve and promote their ancestral heritage.
Location:
The course will be offered at Montana Tech, in Butte. Butte was
the entry-point for the majority of the Irish in the state. It was a town built by the
Irish, for the Irish and has a distinct Irish flavor to it.
Curriculum: The course offers both credit [two credits] and non
– credit courses and is open to all who wish to learn the Irish language.
The accredited courses are for beginners only.
The main objective is to impart a conversational knowledge of the Irish
language.
Classes begin at 9:00am and continue until 4:30pm in the afternoon.
There are lengthy breaks between classes so students can work together
and study the material covered in each class.
The evening time is reserved for the student to study or engage in
recreational activities with their colleagues. There is a lot going on in Butte and many enjoy
evening walks, investigating the old city, and visiting some of the many sites
commemorating the history of the Irish in the town. Believe you me, you will not be bored!
All classes are taught by professional teachers with the aid of Irish language teaching
assistants from The University of Montana [UM] Irish Studies program. These young
students have been learning Irish and how to teach the language as part of their course at UM.
Accommodation: For those coming from out-of-state there is room Butte on the
Montana Technical College campus. To view the facilities, please go to www.mtech.edu.
Arrangements can also be made to pick you up from the airport in Butte by
contacting me at [email protected] with your name, flight number and time of arrival.

Traolach Ó Ríordáin, C/O
The Friends of Irish Studies, PO Box 4693, Missoula, MT
59806