Blazing a career path as Gaeilge

HUNDREDS of secondary students descended on Ennis recently for Buntáiste Breise na Gaeilge, a series of Irish language careers seminars. Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge are hosting the seminars for secondary school students all over Ireland.
To date, An Chomhdháil has held 16 ‘Buntáiste breise na Gaeilge’ seminars all over Ireland in the past three years. An Clár As Gaeilge welcomed the seminar to Ennis with Breandán MacFhionnghaile describing it as a great success.
These seminars cater for second level students all over Ireland.  Guest speakers and well-known personalities will speak on the advantages which the Irish language has afforded them in their chosen careers. Among the guest speakers in Ennis were cathaoirleach Kevin de Barra, RTÉ newsreader Siún Nic Gearailt, musician Conor Keane, Emer Ní Flaitheartaigh, Irish officer for Clare County Council and Dónal Ó hAiniféin, principal of Gaelscoil Mhichil Chiosóig, Ennis.
As part of the seminar, questions from the students are welcomed, which give rise to lively debate about such subjects as the future of the language, Gaeltacht status, Irish as a compulsory subject, Irish at third level, and the Government’s support for the language. 
Representatives from third level institutions attended with exhibition stands, to inform students of the various Irish language courses available to them after they leave school.
These seminars which have been organised since 2009 have proven to be a great success with over 123 secondary school schools and up to 3,808 students all over the Ireland attending.