An Cosantóir

26 | Ag Foghlaim na Gaeilge Arís By Comdt Gerry Jordan (58 Res Inf Bn) Photos by Fr Robert McCabe CF A lthough it was something that had been on my mind for a number of years it was only after talking to a friend, Capt Gerard McPartlan, about attempting to revive our interest in the Irish language, that we both decided to apply for the Campa Gaeilge in April 2010. There was an additional attraction for me with the course being in Galway as I worked at the reception desk in USAC as a corporal back in the mid-'70s. It was quite another matter, however, getting back to speaking and learning Irish again after so long. Since doing honours Irish in the Leaving Certificate in 1974 I hadn't spoken any Irish or shown much interest in the language since then. However, the more I reflected on it the more I became aware of the grá that I once had for it. The details of the course informed us that "The emphasis of the camp will be towards the spoken language, which is directed towards all ability groups, from beginner to fluent speaker; persons attending, however, will need some basic understanding of the language (early secondary school level will suffice)." The course was to consist of formal classes, conducted daily in Carraroe, Connemara. An Cosantóir Dec 2012/Jan 2013 www.dfmagazine.ie When asked which ability level class we wished to attend my two RDF colleagues on the course, Comdt Michael Flannery (HQ RDF) and Capt McPartlan (58 Inf Bn), and I opted, wisely in hindsight, for the middle level, the other two levels being for beginners and fluent speakers. The camp was to be based primarily around structured classes, under the auspices of NUIG, and conducted in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, An Cheathrú Rúa, Connemara. In the joining instruction it was mentioned that dress was to be neat civilian only: this would be my first time in 37 years going on camp bringing only civilian attire. The course was being organised, as in previous years, under the proficient and enthusiastic direction of Col JJ O'Reilly and CQMS Peadar Ó Flatharta. We had an excellent lecturer and we were soon doing a myriad of translation-type exercises. Indeed, we were all, I think, more than pleasantly surprised at how quickly the Irish came back to us. The 60 or so personnel that made up the three classes ranged in ages from 20 to late 50s and included many ranks from within the PDF, the Naval Service, the Air Corps and the RDF. As all were in civilian attire, there was no obvious rank structure which made for a much more relaxed atmosphere. Also, as with many adult education classes there was plenty of fun and banter, which helped to 'break the ice'. The daily schedule consisted of intensive morning tutorials with attention directed towards spoken contemporary Irish, aiming at correct pronunciation, proper idiom and development of vocabulary. The main aim of these was to foster conversational ability and fluency. The afternoons consisted

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