Learn Irish in Athlone

Fabio

Hi guys,

Anyone know of any Irish classes or conversational groups so that I could re-learn my Irish here in Athlone?

Athlone Community College used to have something but I think it is either finished or not being run anymore. I've asked in the library too and haven't found anything there as of yet.

Even if there was something in Tullamore I'd be willing to travel!

L.Jenkins

Would you not try Duolingo, until you find a group.

Saint_Mel

Tip over to the Gael Scoil and see if they run classes.

Bennyk15

I'd be interested in joining a group also or possibly starting one. Would love to be able to speak the native language better. Keep me posted if anything comes up. Cheers!

L.Jenkins

Anyone use Duolingo? I find it good, but since I don't have a Smart Phone, I'm less inclined to keep up with learning the language.

finooola

Itzy wrote: »

Anyone use Duolingo? I find it good, but since I don't have a Smart Phone, I'm less inclined to keep up with learning the language.

I use Duolingo, mostly to keep my basic bit of Spanish from getting too rusty. I also do a bit of Irish on it, and I'm shocked by how bad I am at it, and how much I've forgotten (if I ever knew it) since school!

whyulittle

Spotted this on Twitter tonight.

Irish conversation circle/rang starts April 13th at 11 a.m. in St. Ciarans Centre, near Tormey Villas in Athlone. Tá fáilte isteach romhat.

https://twitter.com/Braoin/status/716035740405276674

finooola

There seems to be all sorts going on down in that St Ciarans! I'm going to check it out.

Bennyk15

Shame about the 11am time though. After 6pm would have been ideal.

Bennyk15

Started using Duolingo this week, brilliant app already making progress with it!

Fabio

Duolingo is class alright, must get back into using it again.

Shame about the 11am time for the Irish conversational group...surely there'd be more people able to attend if after 6? I know I would!

Bennyk15

Likewise Fabio - even if it was on a Saturday at 11am I would have made it but not during the working week unfortunately.

martin1

Same here I would be there after 6pm:(

Bennyk15

Anyone interested in starting up a group if we get enough numbers?

L.Jenkins

I would be interested.

flowerbattle

Beidh suim agam, definitely! 11am on a Wednesday is a bit mad for such a thing like

Paulownia

They obviously think that the employed won't want to learn Irish !

finooola

Paulownia wrote: »

They obviously think that the employed won't want to learn Irish !

Ahh come on now. There's little enough for a non-working person to do during the day in this town. Don't knock it!

Fabio

Seriously though, anytime after 6 would suit most people better...

Fabio

Bennyk15 wrote: »

Anyone interested in starting up a group if we get enough numbers?

Yes, defo.

finooola

So did anyone progress their learning Irish plans? It's coming up to the time of year where I start to think about (probably futile) resolutions. Learning Irish might be one. I might go to the classes down the Community College, if I can get someone to mind the kids. I think it's on a Monday night.

Anyone else doing anything?

L.Jenkins

I'd love to gain conversational ability in Irish. I use an app at the moment, but with no one to practice, it's going to waste somewhat.

flowerbattle

Why don't we set up a group in the new year? A ciorcal cómhrá. There's one for Spanish in Athlone, let's make one for our own language!

L.Jenkins

Sounds like a great idea, but we'll have to remember that some some of us have limited or no conversational ability.

flowerbattle

No problem, we can use it as a good arena to practice in for people with a bit of cúpla focal (nó níos mó) and an excellent opportunity to have informal classes!

L.Jenkins

We could arrange to meet once or twice a month somewhere, say the Library on a Saturday.

flowerbattle

There's no study rooms in the Library, we could possibly pick a quiet pub or something to start off with. And maybe weeknights might suit people better with kids and activities at the weekend etc.

L.Jenkins

True. Would help to build around a large group of people, instead of a few individuals.

flowerbattle

So when/where shall we have our first meeting?

L.Jenkins

The price of Wales hotel is a good spot.

finooola

The Spanish meet-up group (which I'm in, but haven't attended in a long time because of babies) meet in the lobby area of the Radisson, which is good too. It's an OK place to be hanging around on your own if you're the first one to show up!

flowerbattle

finooola wrote: »

The Spanish meet-up group (which I'm in, but haven't attended in a long time because of babies) meet in the lobby area of the Radisson, which is good too. It's an OK place to be hanging around on your own if you're the first one to show up!

Sounds good! I'd be open to the Prince but it can be a bit noisy in the evenings with football and with music like. Sometime next week?

finooola

In the Prince ye are probably going to end up with hen nights coming over to give it the cupla focal!

Although I don't know the place well in the evening. There might be a quiet corner. Maybe the area at the very front with the windows?

flowerbattle

finooola wrote: »

In the Prince ye are probably going to end up with hen nights coming over to give it the cupla focal!

Although I don't know the place well in the evening. There might be a quiet corner. Maybe the area at the very front with the windows?

We could try it sure and if it's too loud/noisy the Radisson's only down the road like! What day/time would be good for everyone?

L.Jenkins

Anytime after 4 for me.

Bennyk15

Hi folks,

I'd be interested in joining this, are you still planning on meeting up?
Thanks,

Benny

flowerbattle

Sure! Will we say maybe 6 on Thursday in the Prince?

L.Jenkins

Sounds good.

L.Jenkins

I meant to attend last Thursday. Will there be another get together?

flowerbattle

Me too, I had work commitments. We can do it again at the same time this week?

finooola

Hey lads, is the meetup still going? I've got a 2 year old and I'm seriously thinking of sending him to the gaelscoil. It would be good to get my Irish up to scratch (or at least get a cupla focal) before then.

Even if I don't send my kids to gaelscoil, I still want to learn.

I wish there were more Irish organisations and events in this town.

We lot should join a duolingo team together to spur each other on. I just joined one called Somali Pirates learning Irish or something. Come join it! Or better yet, let's start one with a sensible name like Athlone Irish Learners!

martin1

Irish is great and I would go along too.

Does anyone know if there is a group for Spanish learners ?

finooola

martin1 wrote: »

Irish is great and I would go along too.

Does anyone know if there is a group for Spanish learners ?

There is, I used to go it. They usually meet in the lobby of the Radisson on Tuesdays. They are a nice bunch, some learners and some native Spanish speakers. I'd start going to it again if I ever had time.
https://www.meetup.com/Athlone-conversational-spanish/

The auld Irish is more imperative at the moment, because of the kids and school issue (although shockingly, since I went through the Irish school system, I'd say my very basic Spanish is actually better than my Irish).

L.Jenkins

Does the Irish speakers group still meet Finooola?

finooola

L.Jenkins wrote: »

Does the Irish speakers group still meet Finooola?

I don't know! I've never attended that one. I really want to learn Irish though.

L.Jenkins

finooola wrote: »

I don't know! I've never attended that one. I really want to learn Irish though.

Me too.

flowerbattle

Ok, let's do this, really. Next week sometime?

L.Jenkins

Next weekend would be good.

flowerbattle

L.Jenkins wrote: »

Next weekend would be good.

I won't be able to make it in that case but if ye want to go ahead and have the initial meeting?

flowerbattle

I hate to sound like a broken record but will we try this week some time?

L.Jenkins

That sounds good Flower. I must drag the wife along.