The Seó Bóthair Roadshow has grown in recent years to become an integral part of the school calendar. We will be on the road every day promoting the Irish language in schools throughout the country.
What is the Road Show?
• It’s an interactive workshop about the Irish language, including games, debates and role play.
• Students are informed about where they can use Irish and about their language rights.
• We have stickers, CDs, wristbands and lots of other prizes to give out!
• The Road Show was held in more than 170 schools last year and is expanding all the time!
Theme for 2017 / 2018: Employment and University Opportunities with the Irish Language
These past few years plenty of new opportunities for employment in Ireland and in Europe have become available to Irish speakers. We want to share the necessary information with you about gaining employment through Irish and about college courses that will help you to do so.
We hope this will encourage students to think about the extra benefits that can be gained from Gaeilge before they choose their career paths.
What is the aim of the Road Show?
We aim to encourage and empower students to use their Irish more often, both inside and outside of school.
We also want to inform students firstly of the advantages and opportunities with which the Irish language can provide them, and also of the growth of the language and the various language campaigns which are going on around the country.
When?
A provisional schedule for the coming academic year is laid out below. However, if these dates do not suit, we will do our best to make alternative arrangements.
What time?
The Road Show lasts about 80 minutes. We try to hold two or three workshops everyday – the first workshop from 09:00-10:30, the second from 11:00-12:30 and the third from 14:00-15:30. These times can vary depending on school opening hours and lunch times.
How many students?
We ask that less than 50 students be in attendance at each workshop in order for it to be most effective. It is aimed at students between 15 and 16 years old (Transition Year / 5th year in the south, Year 11 in the north).
What language?
The Road Show can be conducted completely through Irish or bilingually, depending on the level of the students.
How much does it cost?
There is a subscription fee of €100/£90 for the Road Show. This cost helps us to cover the Road Show's travel costs for the year.
Layout of the Road Show
| 5 minutes | Introduction |
| 5 minutes | Statistics and facts about the Irish language and prizes to be won |
| 40 minutes |
Interactive workshop encouraging students to contemplate and discuss questions about the Irish language. Students stand in different corners of the room to show the extent to which they agree or disagree with each statement. Discussion of each topic lasts 10-15 minutes. |
| 5 minutes | Information about Raidió Rí-Rá and the chance to win CEOL 2017 music albums. Distribution of Gaelchártaí (discount card for use in certain shops and restaurants wishing to promote the Irish langauge) and more prizes to be won |
| 10 minutes | Information about the work of Conradh na Gaeilge and various Irish language campaigns e.g. Gaeilge 24, #Dúshlán, Comhrá '17, Bliain na Gaeilge 2018, BEO, Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia, An Dream Dearg and the Irish language in Europe. |
| 10 minutes | Presentation: Employment and Third Level Courses with Irish |
| 5 minutes | Conclusion, distribution of information leaflets and questions |
What is needed on the day?
All that is needed on the day is a large room laid out with a white board and rows of chairs to the front and space for games and role-play at the back.
Feedback:
A digital suvery was given to a sample of teachers and students who had the Seó Bóthair in their schools this year. Below is a selection of questions and answers, with a fair representation of the feedback from teachers and students.
Feedback from Teachers:
Feedback from Students:
How can you register for the Road Show?
If you would like the Road Show to come to your school, make sure to book a workshop soon by contacting Pól at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +353 (0)1 4757401
Road Show Schedule
* This is a flexible schedule. We will try and make other arrangements with your school if the dates below do not suit. Even if we have already visited your county this year, don't hesitate to contact us anyway.
| 2 – 6 October 2017 | Kildare / Dublin |
| 9 – 13 October 2017 | Louth / Dublin |
| 16 – 20 October 2017 | Wicklow / Dublin |
| 6 – 10 November 2017 | Cork |
| 13 - 18 November 2017 | Laois / Carlow / Kilkenny |
| 20 – 24 November 2017 | Mayo / Sligo |
| 27 November – 1 December 2017 | Offaly / Westmeath |
| 4 – 8 December 2017 | Armagh / Down / Antrim |
| 11 – 15 December 2017 | Galway |
| 18 - 20 Decemeber 2017 | Meath / Dublin |
| 8 - 12 January 2018 | Dublin |
| 15 - 19 January 2018 | Leitrim / Cavan / Fermanagh |
| 22 – 26 January 2018 | Donegal |
| 29 January – 2 February 2018 | Clare / Limerick |
| 5 – 9 February 2018 | Kerry |
| 19 - 23 February 2018 | Derry / Tyrone / Fermanagh |
| 26 February – 2 March 2018 | Wexford |
| 5 - 9 March 2018 | Longford / Cavan / Monaghan |
| 12 - 16 March 2018 | Roscommon / Galway / Clare |
| 19 - 23 March 2018 | Cork / Kerry |
| 9 - 13 April 2018 | Wicklow / Kildare / Dublin |
| 16 - 20 April 2018 | Louth / Meath / Dublin |
| 23 – 27 April 2018 | Waterford / Tipperary |
| 30 April – 4 May 2018 | Laois / Carlow / Kilkenny |
| 7 – 11 May 2018 | Limerick / Cork |
| 14 - 18 May 2018 | Other schools |
| 21 – 25 May 2018 | Other schools |
