A trip to the Gaeltacht over the summer is a fantastic way for teenagers to immerse themselves in the Irish language, make friends and come home with plenty of fun-filled memories. Indeed, it has become a rite of passage for many who look back on two or three weeks in places like Ros Muc or Gaoth Dothair with fondness in the years that follow.

The most recent figures quoted in the Dáil indicate that over 27,000 students attend one of the 40-plus colleges over the summer period, the vast majority staying with a local Gaeltacht family eligible under the Department’s Irish Language Learners Scheme to provide accommodation. The impact is considerable, with the Irish language college sector estimated to be worth €50m per annum to the Gaeltacht economy.

CONCOS (Comhchoiste na gColáistí Samhraidh) is a federation of 47 Irish summer colleges, located inside and outside the Gaeltachtaí, as well as residential colleges in all of the four provinces. The big selling point for these department-approved courses is that young people can experience a living language in the community. Generally, there are interactive classes in the mornings and a huge range of pursuits from sport to music to outings, games and the odd céilí or two in the evenings, all conducted through Irish.

While many Gaeltacht colleges are now operating waiting lists for this summer, Irish Country Living discovered quite a variation in terms of cost depending on location and the length of the stay. Typically, the price includes accommodation, meals, classes, activities and transport.

In the main, the cost of residential language courses for secondary students quoted on the websites of the colleges range from €700 to over €1,400 for a two or three-week stay, with the majority coming in at the €1,100-€1,200 mark.

Rising demand

While there has always been a “keen interest” in the summer courses, Mícheál Ó Foighil, banisteoir of Coláiste Lurgan, has noticed an “undoubted upsurge” in recent times, something he suggests is a favourable economic barometer rather than the perceived trendiness of Gaeilge or the ‘Kneecap effect’.

“At the moment when our applications go live, it’s a matter of minutes, literally minutes, when all places are gone,” explains Mícheál.

Coláiste Lurgan has, in recent years, become a byword for music and song as Gaeilge, racking up more than 6m streams across social media and 10m+ on TikTok videos for their innovative translation of pop songs. This is a “fun part” of the course, admits Mícheál that has grown year after year.

He acknowledges that the price of their courses has “gone up quite a bit” over the last number of years amid rising costs since the pandemic, with accommodation and staff the largest outlay. The ratio of students to full-time staff is 4:1, so it’s labour intensive, he adds.

At the same time, he is quick to point out that students staying with a bean an tí and a Gaeltacht family is the “heart and soul” of their offering and quite unique to Ireland.

“The strength of the coláiste Gaeilge is the accommodation set up where they stay with a bean an tí and families. That would be the biggest draw of the cúrsa Gaeilge. It’s a model that has stood the test of time,” he comments.

This accommodation system is supported by the Government. Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, announced an increase in the subsidy payable to recognised families providing accommodation for students under the Irish Language Learners Scheme in May of this year, a fifth increase since 2022.

In effect, that increased the subsidy for over 530 eligible families from €14.50 to €16 per student per night and from €10.50 to €12 in the case of recognised Gaeltacht hostels/residential colleges.

Overall, however, Mícheál Ó Foighil is critical of State support, saying it has under-invested in this sector for decades and the college doesn’t receive anything in terms of funding for their courses.

“I reckon instead of €1,200 for a three-week course, if the parents put up €800, the state should definitely put up the other €400. That’s my opinion,” he remarks. “There is a lack of vision from the State in relation to what cursaí Gaeilge can actually achieve and do.”

While the knock-on effects for participating students and the area are very positive, he believes spoken Irish is “deteriorating as we speak” and remains undervalued in the education system.

“The State spends about €1bn each year in teaching Gaeilge in the education system. It’s the least effective language-learning programme on earth. Look at the outcomes for that €1bn and the lack of ability to communicate even the most simple things as Gaeilge.”

For parents though, there is still a strong desire to send children to the Gaeltacht. Some financial assistance may be available via the numerous scholarship schemes from county councils, trade unions, several GAA county boards and language and culture organisations. You will need to be organised and be looking out for the opportunities advertised in the early part of the year.

For example, Monaghan County Council advertised 36 scholarships to the value of €400 each earlier this year for students living in the county. The scholarships are 50/50 sponsored by the local authority and by six Irish colleges.

While some full scholarships are available, the majority of grants range from €200-€500, with applications generally open from the winter/spring beforehand. Many are on an open-draw basis.

Several organisations have specific scholarships for students attending DEIS second-level schools or with reduced financial means. See colaistigaeilge.ie