Gaelcholáiste Dhún Dealgan brings Gaelscoileanna together for special blitz

There was plenty of sport and laughter at Gaelcholáiste Dhún Dealgan this week as pupils from Scoil Aonghusa in Drogheda, Scoil Rois in Carrickmacross and Gaelscoil Dhún Dealgan came together for a special blitz.

The day was all about giving young people from across Louth and Monaghan the chance to meet, make new friends and most importantly, enjoy using Irish naturally outside the classroom.

Students from Gaelcholáiste Dhún Dealgan played a big part in the day, working alongside their teachers to organise activities and welcome the visiting pupils.

It was a great opportunity for the younger pupils to chat with students already attending the Gaelcholáiste and get a taste of life in an Irish-medium secondary school.

Gaelcholáiste Dhún Dealgan is the only Irish-medium secondary school within a 60-kilometre radius and offers co-educational, multi-denominational education through Irish.

The school offers a broad range of subjects including Music, Spanish, French, Visual Art, Home Economics, Science, Business Studies and Geography.

While three local Gaelscoileanna attended the blitz, pupils do not have to come from a Gaelscoil to attend Gaelcholáiste Dhún Dealgan.

Almost a quarter of the school’s current students came from English-medium primary schools. With immersion, encouragement and ongoing support, students build their confidence in speaking and learning through Irish.

Registration for 1st Year 2027-2028 will start from 1st October. Please see Registration/Clarú section of the school website www.gcdd.ie for full details.

One simple message summed up the day: “Is teanga bheo í agus is libhse í” Irish is a living language, and it belongs to you.

For Gaelcholáiste Dhún Dealgan, the school said days like this are about much more than sport. They are about bringing young people together, building friendships and showing them that Gaeilge is something you can use and enjoy right here in Dundalk.