Kildare County Council launches Scéim na bhFáinní Irish language initiative
New initiative to encourage increased use of spoken Irish in sixth class
28 November 2025: Kildare County Council is now inviting expressions of interest from primary schools wishing to participate in an innovative Irish language planning initiative, Scéim na bhFáinní 2026.
Developed by Kildare County Council’s Irish Language Committee, Coiste Gaeilge and supported by Cill Dara le Gaeilge and Conradh na Gaeilge, this initiative aims to encourage and support the increased use of the Irish language among sixth class students, as they prepare for the important transition to post-primary education.
To participate, teachers are asked to facilitate a six-week programme aiming to increasethe amount of spoken Irish in the four weeks leading up to and during Seachtain na Gaeilge. Content and Language Integrated Learning is central to the programme e.g. Ealaín (Art) through Irish, Corpoideachas (Physical Education) through Irish, Ceol (Music) through Irish etc.As part of the programme, students are required to undertake two Irish language-related projects of their own choosing. These may include:
- Researching the Irish origins of Logainmneacha Áitiúla (Local Placenames)
- Collecting Seanfhocail agus Nathanna Cainte (Irish Proverbs and Idioms)
- Staging a Dráma as Gaeilge (Irish Language Drama)
- Hosting Coinní Puipéad (Puppet Meet and Greets) as Gaeilge
- Creating Méimeanna Gaeilge (Irish Language Memes)
During Seachtain na Gaeilge 2026, upon successful completion of Scéim na bhFáinní projects, participating students will be presented with a Fáinne Gaeilge and their schools will receive Teastas Scéim na bhFáinní (Scéim na bhFáinní Certificate).
Speaking at the event, the Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Cllr Carmel Kelly said; “Kildare County Council is proud to launch Scéim na bhFáinní, an initiative that celebrates our rich Irish language heritage and empowers sixth class students to embrace spoken Irish in their daily lives. By supporting creative projects and encouraging informal use of Irish, we hope to foster confidence and a lifelong connection to our national language as students prepare for the transition to post-primary education. I commend the dedication of our schools, teachers, and partners in making this scheme a reality for the young people of County Kildare.”
An Comhairleoir Noel Connolly, Cathaoirleach Choiste Gaeilge Chomhairle Contae Chill Dara (Chair of Kildare County Council’s Irish Language Committee) said:
“Coiste Gaeilge has built upon the pilot scheme and research that had been done by the outgoing Coiste Gaeilge committee, and we are delighted to now administer Scéim na bhFáinní to up to 20 schools across County Kildare. It is wonderful to have support from Conradh na Gaeilge and Cill Dara le Gaeilge and we are very much looking forward to visiting schools and meeting teachers and students across the county during Seachtain na Gaeilge, to learning about the various Scéim na bhFáinní class projects and to presenting students with their Fáinní Gaeilge. The Irish language seanfhocal (proverb) “Mol an Óige agus Tiocfaidh Sí” encourages the celebration of children’s achievements as a way in which confidence is fostered. Members of Coiste Gaeilge believe this seanfhocal aptly encapsulates the ethos and objective of Scéim na bhFáinní.”
Muireann Ní Bheaglaoich, Oifigeach Gaeilge Chomhairle Contae Chill Dara (Irish Language Officer, Kildare County Council) added: “Students put so much work into acquiring Irish in primary school - practicing their verbs in different tenses, learning new vocabulary, poems, songs and much more. Through Scéim na bhFáinní, we would like to encourage students to embrace the living language. ‘An Ghaeilge Neamhfhoirmiúil’ (Informal Irish) is a central part of the curriculum at primary level, and the increased use of Irish outside ‘designated Gaeilge time’ will impact positively on language confidence among students who will soon be transitioning to post-primary level Irish. It’s a big leap and participation in Scéim na bhFáinní would support teachers and students alike as they prepare for it.”
Daithí de Faoite, Cathaoirleach of Cill Dara le Gaeilge, said: “As a non-native speaker of one of the oldest living languages in Europe, it gives me a wonderful sense of pride to speak to people in Irish, especially when close to home here in County Kildare. Speaking Irish forms a connection to our past, to our national heritage, and provides an insight into our placenames and history. It forms a connection with the generations that came before us. Wearing the Fáinne is an invitation to be part of that journey, whether you are a fluent speaker or a learner. Cill Dara le Gaeilge is very proud to partner with Kildare County Council, with Conradh na Gaeilge and with our local schools, in launching this initiative. The wearing of the Fáinne expresses an interest in speaking Irish and will hopefully connect our young students to Irish as a living language, outside of the classroom. It is an invitation to join in a journey, to open one’s eyes to a new way of expression and understanding.”
Aodhán Ó Deá, Stiúrthóir Forbartha (Director of Development), Leas-Ardrúnaí, Conradh na Gaeilge said: “We, in Conradh na Gaeilge are pleased to partner with Kildare County Council and Cill Dara le Gaeilge in offering Scéim na bhFáinní to schools in Kildare. It is so important that students have a positive and enjoyable experience with the Irish language, particularly at primary school level, and this scheme will go toward achieving this. Encouraging the daily use of Irish in a fun and supportive environment increases student confidence and strengthens their connection with our beautiful language. This is a great initiative for Kildare schools, and we are proud to support it.”
Expressions of interest can be made by school principals, by emailing: teangabheo@kildarecoco.ie by 3.00 p.m. Monday, 12 January 2026, including the following details:
- School name and the name(s) of the sixth-class teacher(s) who would facilitate the initiative.
- A brief explanation of how sixth-class students in your school would benefit from participating in Scéim na bhFáinní.
- The current number of sixth-class students enrolled in your school.
Places will be allocated to 20 schools based on the responses to question 2, with an equal number of places distributed across each Municipal District.
For further details on Scéim na bhFáinní, please contact the Irish Language Officer, Kildare County Council, at OGILO@kildarecoco.ie or by phone at 045 980941.
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