Learning and Speaking Irish Gaelic

The Irish language, also known as Gaelic, has one of the oldest written traditions in Europe and has been spoken in Sydney since the landing of the First Fleet. Many Australian words and expressions, such as ‘didgeridoo’, ‘hard yacka’, ‘waddy’ and ‘clobber’ have their origins in the Irish language.

Scoil na Gaeilge, Sydney

Scoil na Gaeilge (The Irish Language School), Sydney has grown out of the INA Irish language classes, which have continued since its inception in 1915. The classes have been given by dozens of volunteer teachers over the decades, who have given their time to help others learn the language of the country of their birth or that of their ancestors.

The Irish Language School, Sydney, convenes every Monday night. There are classes at three levels, as well and a conversation group for fluent speakers. The classes are interactive, and besides learning the grammar of the language, the students also get involved in music and singing, performing plays, cinema, reading the stories and legends of Irish history and well as the contemporary world of the Irish language in all its forms.

In 2006, the INA was proud to host the screening of a short film in Irish and English, made by one of the language class’s students with some other actors from the language classes, about the life of Les Darcy, the Irish-Australian champion boxer during the First World War.

The Irish Language Winter School

Scoil na Gaeilge (The Irish Language School), Sydney hosts Scoil Gheimridh - a weekend of Irish language workshops and activities each June long weekend. This is an opportunity for speakers of Irish from all over the country to meet together and continue their knowledge of the language, enjoying themselves in a unique Irish-speaking environment.

Centre for Continuing Education (University of Sydney)

The history of continuing education extends back before the establishment of the University of Sydney itself through its then Sydney College, more than 150 years ago. Now, more than 22,000 people participate each year in community education courses offered by the Centre for Continuing Education. The Centre of Continuing Education offers short courses in Irish, at various levels, throughout the year.

The Irish taught on the program is referred to as The Official Standard (An Caighdean Oifigiuil) which is taught in schools, universities, etc. in Ireland. Media and government communications use this standard which is an amalgamation of the language features of the three major dialects.

For more information go to: Irish courses & classes: Centre for Continuing Education, University of Sydney.

University of Sydney—Celtic studies towards a degree

Celtic Studies is concerned with the academic study of the Celtic languages, past and present, and the culture and history of the Celts. The aim is to enable students who have developed an interest in various aspects of Celtic Studies to pursue a program of study that offers a representative range of subject areas.

It is offered at senior level only, and student are admitted if they have successfully completed 18 junior credit points from part A of the Table of units of study.

A major in Celtic Studies consists of at least 36 senior credit points from the units of the study in Celtic Studies (including CLST2601, CLST2605, and two CLST language units, that is CLST2606, CLST2602, CLST2604, CLST2603 and CLST2607, to the total of 24 senior credit points), or more than 18 senior credit points of cross-listed units to the major.

For more information go to: Celtic Studies at the University of Sydney.

Old Irish

Old Irish was the language spoken and written in Ireland in the early Middle Ages, and is preserved in a range of records, from Ogham stones to manuscripts. In this unit students will develop a knowledge of Old Irish grammar and vocabulary, and learn to read texts in Old Irish.

You must be studying for a degree at the University of Sydney and have completed 18 junior credit points before you will be allowed to enrol in this unit.

For more information go to: Learning Old Irish at the University of Sydney.

Modern Irish Linguistics

This unit develops students' knowledge of linguistics through the detailed study of Modern Irish. The grammar and linguistics of Modern Irish form the major focus; students will bring to the unit a background in language study and/or linguistics. The unit will consider the ways in which Modern Irish differs from other Western European languages, studying syntax and phonology.

For more information go to: Learning Modern Irish Linguistics at the University of Sydney.