Ár dTeagascóirí Fulbright – Our Fulbright Teachers
Dia daoibh a chairde Gaeil! Is mise Síne Nic an Ailí, is as Baile Átha Cliath mé, agus is mór agam an deis a bheith anseo in Missoula, Montana ag teagasc Gaeilge don bhliain.

My name is Síne Nic an Ailí and I hail from Dublin, Ireland. Coming from the capital and a non-Irish-speaking family, I’m not what one might consider a traditional Irish speaker. But Irish has always guided me and brought me into contact with wonderful people and the most fantastic opportunities. This includes everything I’ve encountered in my experience of America so far and in return, I hope to bring my love for the language to Montana this year. I was totally immersed and educated through the medium of Irish at primary and secondary level, and graduated with a First Class Honours in Irish Studies with Spanish from the University of Limerick in 2007. I worked for six years as a Development Executive with Conradh na Gaeilge, the Irish-language advocacy organisation, and during that time, I was a founding member, presenter and manager of Raidió Rí-Rá, Ireland’s only Irish-language chart radio station; and was also involved in Na Gaeil Óga CLG, a young GAA football and hurling club run completely through Irish. Last year I undertook a diploma in teaching Irish to adults, renewed my passion for helping others to learn Irish, and started teaching night classes in Dublin. Having also grown up in Galway, Belfast and Mayo before moving to Limerick and Barcelona to study, I love travelling to meet new people and explore new places. Teaching Irish as part of the Fulbright FLTA Program through the University of Montana has given me my next big adventure abroad. I’m very grateful to the University of Montana, the Friends of Irish Studies in the West, and the Fulbright Commission for this opportunity. Go raibh míle maith agaibh!

It is in changing that we find purpose – Ἡράκλειτος (Heraclitus of Ephesus)

Cuirim mo dhóchas ar snámh / i mbáidín teangan / faoi mar a leagfá naíonán / i gcliabhán – Ceist na Teangan, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill
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An Turas go hÉirinn – The Tour to Ireland
The details of the tour to Ireland have been finalized and, I believe, we have put together a remarkable itinerary. We cover the west coast from north Mayo to west Cork. You’ll see the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Galway City, Croagh Patrick, Achill Island, Kylemore Abbey, Dingle, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, the Beara Peninsula, Blarney, Cobh and Bunratty and many other places on the road less-travelled. This is a nine-day tour and runs from June 14 to June 23, 2015. The main objective is to give you a taste of Ireland, an opportunity to connect with the people, culture and the soul of Ireland. The cost of the trip will be approximately $1699 per person and this does not include the flight. There is a $100 reduction for members of the Friends of Irish Studies. If you’re interested in travelling or know somebody who may be interested, please share this information with them. For further details, please contact Traolach at [email protected] or the Friends at [email protected]

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An Crannchur – The Raffle
I imagine that some of you are already thinking about Christmas gifts for family, friends, work colleagues and employees. Have you ever considered buying someone the gift of a raffle ticket for a trip to Ireland? These tickets make great stocking stuffers and you get to help promote your Irish culture and heritage at the same time. Your support for this event will help to grow the dance, music, language and literature programs on campus. Please do think about this. I would also encourage you to share this information with family and friends and to invite them to support it. One can support it by buying a ticker, or more importantly, by becoming a ticket seller. If every member of the Friends were to sell two books, we would have a very successful event. So please do think about selling some tickets and if you feel comfortable doing this, contact Traolach at [email protected] or the Friends at [email protected]
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An Bailiú – The Gathering
We want You
This is another call to all you Irish Scribes out there: It’s time to start writing your story. Each and every one of you has a story to tell about growing up Irish in America. What does Irish mean to you? What is your sense of it? How do you express it? Tell us the songs, the stories, the poems of your people. We want to have this material so that others will come to know, understand and appreciate the Irish of America. You are part of this community and your story is extremely valuable to us. Don’t use the excuse that you can’t write; you are Irish and the Irish are the great writers of the world! So, pick up the pen and start writing because the deadline is drawing near. We want to have all submissions in by December 31 so we can begin to compile our anthology. For more information, go to mtirishgathering.org or call Bob at 406-531-3045.
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Ag Cur Slán le Seanchairde – Bidding Farewell to Old Friends
The Irish of Montana lost two dear friends over the past two months. Kevin Shannon and Pat Kearney were true sons of Butte, embodied the spirit of that great town and loved their Irish heritage. Both were custodians of the culture and did heroic work to pass it on to the next generation. It was a privilege to have known these splendid and gallant Gaels. We pray for the repose of their souls and the comfort of their families, and leave them with a traditional Irish farewell – I gcomhluadar na bhFiann go raibh siad.
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Guímid gach rath ar ár n-iománaithe – We wish our hurlers the best
The University of Montana’s Grizzlies’ Hurling Club travel to San Francisco on Friday, November 7th to compete in the California College GAA Sevens tournament. The competition will take place in Palo Alto and will comprise college and club teams. The involvement of the club teams will make this a very tough competition. Most of the club players are from Ireland and have being playing all their lives. They are also mostly construction workers who seem to take particular delight in dispensing corporal punishment during a game. So this competition will be very physical and tough. There are going to be a lot of hurleys broken and our young stars will earn their stripes in Palo Alto. Go n-éirí libh.
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Carraig an Aifrinn – Mass Rock
They say that if you ever wish to learn about a people and a community, visit their cemeteries. One cemetery well worth a visit in Montana is St. Patrick’s in Butte. A walk around this holy ground will have you thinking that you were back in the Beara Peninsula or Ballyferriter, there are so many Irish laid to rest here. The Ancient Order of Hibernians in Butte plan to dispel any doubt one may have that this is an Irish cemetery with their latest project. They have taken on board the responsibility of maintaining St. Patrick’s and have placed a Mass Rock on site. As many of you already know, the Mass Rock is synonymous with the fidelity of the Irish to their Catholic faith. In the days when Catholicism was a proscribed religion and priests carried a price on their heads, the catholic faithful would go to secluded areas to gather around the rock that held the altar and celebrate the holy sacrifice of the Mass. The Butte Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians believes that the Mass Rock in St. Patrick’s is a fitting tribute to the Irish catholic faithful laid to rest there and a reminder to us of the heroism and fidelity of the people who came before us. The Division is also looking for help in maintaining the cemetery. If you feel you can assist, please contact Jim Sullivan at 406-497-7788. Go gCúití Dia a Saothar leo
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Ceolchoirm na Nollag – Christmas Concert
As many of you know, the Friends decided a number of years ago that Christmas in Montana need a touch of Irish spice. With that in mind, they began to promote an Irish Concert of music, song and dance every December, bringing in groups from Ireland. These were very successful events, but also very expensive. The Irish saying, why would I go to the dairy when I have a cow at home, came to mind when the Friends discussed this year’s concert. In the course of that discussion someone pointed out that we had here in Montana a champion Irish Fiddler and a host of first class musicians, top class Irish dancers, and some of the finest singers you will find anywhere. So, it was decided that we should showcase this talent and bring together the Irish of Montana and Ireland to stage a traditional Irish Christmas Celebration. The program for this year’s concert has it all: Music, Song, Dance, Story, and traditional hymns in Irish and English. The concert will take place at the UM Recital Hall on Saturday evening, December 6 at 7pm and on Sunday, December 7, at 3:00pm. The tickets are $20 for a family; $15 general admission; and $10 for senior, students and friends of Irish Studies. For more information, contact [email protected]
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Ballraíocht – Membership
The life blood of our organization is our membership. It is because of you that we can accomplish so much to promote and preserve our Irish culture and heritage. We are currently engaged in a membership drive with the intention of increasing our membership to 1,000 by the end of the year. The response to this drive has surpassed our expectations, but we still have a ways to go. If you are not a member, please consider joining. I would also ask you to invite others you may know to become part of our group. You can do this by printing out and sending in the form at the back of this newsletter. You can also join online by going to www.friendsofirishstudies.com. Go raibh mile maith agaibh uile.