Keeping The Irish Language Alive-Alive-O!

Ms Watson, I presume…?

igh up on the rooftop terrace of Greystones Studios, the town would appear to have its first ever leprechaun colony.

Little people, running around, planting flowers, running in and out of their lobsided miniature house, gleefully squealing at one another as Gaeilge. 

On closer inspection though, turns out that this little slice of diddley-aye heaven is actually a montessori that teaches young kids all the wonders of the world, but, in our native tongue – Irish.

Working with preschool kids from 2-and-a-half to 5 years of age, Naíonra an Lana realise the best way for a child to develop is in a fun and caring environment.

Especially one on a rooftop terrace with toy chest, a planting box and a misshapen fun house.

The staff speak only Irish with the children, thus providing a fabulous start in languages, regardless of what school they later move on to.

You can find out more about this wonderful addition to the town right here.

In the meantime, we caught up with teacher Ciara Watson to talk Irish identity, a child’s enormous hunger for knowledge, and how much it would be to rent the wonky home during the school holidays…