9th Annual Gael Scoil

Gael Scoil is a two day Irish cultural program for children  The program was developed by members of Mercer 10 and is in its 9the year.  They cover many areas of Irish culture.  Some of the program activities include:

Culture – The oral tradition and its contribution to Irish history (including some storytelling by our own seanachie) A look at Irish films dealing with tradition and folklore.

History – Topics include the peoples of pre-historic Ireland and their way of life, through the Celts and the coming of Christianity, the influence of the Vikings and Normans, and more recently the causes and effects of the Great Hunger (1845-50), and more.

Sports – Hands on/and demonstration of Irish Football and Hurling.

Dance – Irish traditional dance, including Ceili or folk, as well as the better known step-dancing, which has reached new heights through Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, will be demonstrated by young dancers and champion performers and the basic steps are presented.

Music – the bodhran, harp, fiddle, tin whistle and bagpipes. Students not only hear the music, they learn about the instruments and their histories.

Traditional Irish Food – Demonstration and hands on making Irish soda bread. Each student gets a loaf to take home.

Language – Students learn the sounds of the Irish language and some vocabulary from a team of Irish speaking professional teachers.

The 2016 session will be held on Feb 20-21 at Notre Dame High School, 601 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648

For registration please see the program’s website at http://www.gaelscoil.us

Program Video: