Irish now: Gaeilge through games rather than grammar

Jess Casey discovers how activities such as dodgeball in UCC’s Barr na gCnoc initiative give children a natural entry into the Irish language 

Pupils of Scoil Padre Pio in Churchfield ag imirt dodgeball at the Mardyke Arena in Cork as part of the 'Barr na gCnoc' programme. Picture: Dan Linehan

In the Mardyke arena, sixth-class students from Scoil Padre Pio, a national school in Churchfield, Cork City, are locked in a battle of dodgeball.

“Anseo, anseo, anseo,” one student calls as they charge across the hall.