Young Mayo people invited to apply for new Irish language initiative

A NEW Irish-language educational programme, which is open to young people in Mayo, has launched this week.

The initiative, Treoraigh do Thodhchaí, is a partnership with the CONNECT Centre's Academy of the Near Future and Gael Linn’s Gaelbhratach. It will feature hands-on workshops addressing environmental challenges and explore how the Irish language and traditions can inspire creative, sustainable and technological solutions for the future.

Young people in Mayo aged 15-17 are being invited to apply for the week-long programme. Selected students will be encouraged to reflect on the role of the Irish language in their own lives and explore its significance in the wider context of environmental sustainability.

The initiative will run from Monday to Friday, March 31 to April 4, and it will be hosted at Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal, Co. na Gaillimhe. It is the first Irish-language medium version of the Design Your Future City programme, which has been delivered by Academy of the Near Future annually in Dublin since 2022.

Commenting on the launch, Dr. Mairead Hurley, Assistant Professor in Science & Society Education, Trinity College Dublin, said: “We are excited to build on our innovative, youth-led approach to sustainability and citizenship education by delivering it through the Irish language for the first time. This step celebrates the creativity and transdisciplinary potential the Irish language brings to global citizenship education.

“This programme offers students from Mayo a fantastic opportunity to build confidence, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, while exploring the role of Irish language and culture in shaping a sustainable future. It will also draw on the expertise of Trinity School of Education’s Critical Change Lab programme, an EU project exploring creative educational approaches to promote active citizenship and youth activism.”

Also commenting, Edel Ní Bhraonáin, Bainisteoir Gaelbhratach, Gael Linn, said: “Gael Linn is thrilled to collaborate on Treoraigh do Thodhchaí, creating opportunities for young people in Mayo to lead and shape a brighter future.

“Through our Gaelbhratach initiative, we have seen the incredible creativity and passion young people bring when given the chance to lead and shape their own future. This project is an exciting opportunity to amplify the student voice, combining their innovative ideas with the power of our language and culture to create a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.”

Over the course of the week, the selected students will have the opportunity to:

* Engage in interactive workshops that integrate Irish language and cultural elements with sustainability and technology.

* Collaborate with experts through Irish to develop a deeper understanding of Irish language and traditions.

* Experiment with citizen science to address the environmental challenges facing modern cities, all through the lens of Irish culture.

* Meet STEM, design, and innovation experts who will guide students in bringing their ideas to life with a sustainability focus

The programme is open to students aged 15-17. Applicants must commit to attending all sessions of the week-long course. Workshops will be conducted in Irish, and the main requirement is an enthusiasm for technology, sustainability and Irish culture. With only 20 places available, interested students are encouraged to apply early to avoid missing out.

To apply, applicants must answer a few short questions about themselves, describe an environmental challenge in their area, and propose a technology-driven solution. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on Monday, February 24.

The programme is being run with support from the Department of Education’s Education for Sustainable Development to 2030 Fund.

For further information and the application process, visit: https://nearfuture.ie/programmes/treoraigh-do-thodchai.