Gael Linn Chief Executive outlines the importance of Coláistí Gaeilge

There needs to be an all-inclusive approach from relevant parties to incentivise and strengthen Irish language colleges, the Chief Executive of Gael Linn said. 

Iniúchadh TG4 – Mná Tí, is an hour-long documentary which aired on Wednesday night. It explored the sharp drop in numbers of mná tí hosting Irish language students in the Gaeltacht. It also looked at the impact of the recent decline and the reasons for the exodus.

Réamonn Ó Ciaráin has vast experience in the running of Coláistí Gaeilge, for many years he was a permanent fixture on Donegal beaches and teaching in Irish colleges which are speckled around the area. 

The documentary found that in the four years since 2018, the number of host families in the Gaeltacht has fallen from 712 to 495 – a decline of 217 or 30 per cent.

Speaking ahead of the documentary being broadcast, Chief Executive Réamonn Ó Ciaráin said the industry is exceptionally important to the areas in which they are based. 

He said that the pandemic had an adverse effect on Coláistí Gaeilge and a number of other factors have also contributed to the recent decline. 

He said the age of mná tí, or women who host the students, has to be taken into consideration as well as there being two seasons where the homes were not needed by students or utilised. 

“The decline has been worse in some places than others and some areas are faring better in some areas than others. We must take into account that there were people who were of the opinion the students and Irish colleges would not return. We must also take into account the age profile of mná tí - there area very few younger mná tí coming into the system,” he said. 

He called on all those affiliated with the Irish language colleges to work together and have a collective approach towards making the concept of hosting students attractive. 

“Students coming to a Gaeltacht brings vitality and life. We must also remember that mná tí have a big responsibility. 

“We must all do as much as we can to attract more mná tí into the system. That is important. 

He said that those who host students enjoy them and it would be reasonable to assume that those who undertake the important work would be of the opinion that they ought to be given more money: “We must listen to them,” he said. 

He said students who attend the Coláistí Gaeilge achieve better grades than those who don’t. 

He said the industry is very important to Gaeltacht areas because money from the colleges goes back into the immediate local economy, local shops are used by students, families come and stay in local hotels and eat in local restaurants and cafes. The money is vital to many areas where employment is scarce.