Comóradh 30 bliain Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge.

On Saturday March 25th, DCU’s Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge celebrated 30 years of growth since its foundation in 1993. The DCU Alumni relations office and Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge joined forces to mark this milestone, in DCU’s specious 1838 restaurant.

Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge is an interdisciplinary school which is recognised internationally for the quality of the programmes it delivers. For three decades, Fiontar has approached teaching and academic research in a truly innovative style, delivering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes through the medium of Irish. Crucially, Fiontar’s academic programmes contribute to the development of high level skills and Irish language proficiency, and Fiontar & Scoil and Gaeilge graduates have founded, and provide leadership roles in prominent national organisations.  

Guests gathered in the President’s Lounge and enjoyed a drink with old friends. Final year teaching student Molly Tobin provided a wonderfully ambient musical performance on the harp. DCU President, Prof. Dáire Keogh made the welcoming remarks and said;

"there is something truly unique about the academic programmes offered by Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge".

In his remarks he emphasised the importance of Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge, not only nationally and internationally, but also in the DCU community.

Many well-known people from the world of business and public life have taken part in the 3rd level courses offered by the school, including the broadcaster Cormac Ó hEadhra. Before dinner was served, Cormac O’hEadhra, Fiontar alumni and presenter of ‘Drivetime’ on RTÉ radio one, hosted a panel discussion with founding director Finbarr Bradley and former Head of School Caoilfhionn Nic Pháidín. Cormac noted that;

"Fiontar was very exceptional at the time - and perhaps still is - as it was a broad undergraduate degree programme, providing high level training in Finance, Computing and Entrepreneurship, and you also had the option to study French or German" 

Dr. Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Director of Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge also delivered an address. Dr. Mac an Bhaird noted that the occasion was a timely celebration of the immense contribution of Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge graduates to many aspects of Irish life. He noted the considerable achievements of Fiontar graduates, and he thanked the founding director, previous heads of school, and the president for his continuing support.

The whole DCU community is grateful for the valuable contribution of Scoil & Fiontar na Gaeilge.