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Category: Teachers
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Published on Friday, 22 January 2010 21:34
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Written by Administrator
Most of the Cumann Na Gaeilge teachers are native speakers and all have a keen interest in teaching to all student levels. They are experts at presenting the Irish language as a second language to learners of all ages and abilities. Whether you have taken a class before long ago, want to brush up because you infrequently get to converse with it, or want to explore this part of the Irish culture for the first time, the Cumann Na Gaeilge has a class for you! Read about our teachers here and feel free to contact us with any questions.
has been able to use her background to teach the Irish language at Cumann na Gaeilge-run classes in the Boston metropolitan area and beyond for three decades. Máire's father and mother migrated (as many did) in the late 40's/early 50's from Cois Fharraige (which translates as "Leg of the Sea"), between Spiddal and Carroroe in Connemara, Co. Galway.
Máire made the return journey to study at University College Galway completing her entire undergraduate degree there while she lived with her aunt and family in Connemara and studied for her BA in history and Spanish. When she returned to America, she threw herself into Irish-language activities. "She's always been very generous in giving her time and talent," said Peigi Cloherty, president of Cumann na Gaeilge. "She's a very calm person and she has a great sense of humor," she said. "She brings a great understanding of children and grownups." "Both her and her mother are blessed with great singing voices," Cloherty continues, adding that they've sung at Irish-language Masses for many years.
In her role as a teacher at Catholic Memorial School in West Roxbury, Concannon has helped introduce Irish studies, which includes a language component, into the curriculum. School officials believe the course, which requires students to pass exams to go to the next level, is the first of its type in the country. It has won praise from visitors from overseas, like Irish government Minister Éamon Ó Cuív. "He was very complimentary about the start we've made," Concannon said.
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learned the Irish tongue in Boston, Lochán Beag Co. Galway, and at Harvard University, where he earned his Celtic doctorate specializing in early Irish language, culture, and history. He’s especially fond of the tale of “Mad Sweeney,” a flighty character whose story is enjoyed widely well beyond the dissertation-loaded shelves of academe thanks to modern Irish writers. A professional librarian and freelance scholar interested in the history of books and in book arts, Brian has a background in music and naturally enjoys learning songs in Irish. He has frequently taught for Cumann na Gaeilge’s “Lá Gaeilge,” as well as for an occasional workshop at Elms College in Chicopee, Mass. He and his wife are raising three boys, ages 20, 17, and 11.
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is a native Irish speaker who was born in Rosmuc, Conamara, County Galway. He graduated from St. Enda's College, Salthill Galway in 1976 and came to the US in 1979. After serving in the Marines (1981-85), he was discharged with the rank of sergeant. From there, he graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a BA in English and Spanish. He currently works for the US Postal Service and has one daughter.
Mike is a fitness fanatic (recently receiving a boxing award in Ireland) with a keen interest in literature, linguistics and language acquisition. He has taught Irish with CnaG i mBoston for 5 years and Ár dTeanga Féin in Worcester for 3 years.
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(Nic Con Iomaire) is a native irish speaker from Costelloe (Casla) in Conamara, Co. Galway. She graduated from Mary Immaculate College of Education in Limerick with a B.Ed degree in 1985 and, following in her parents' footsteps, she taught at primary school level in a 'scoil lán-ghaelach' in Tallaght, Co. Dublin for 3 years, before moving to the UK and transitioning into the world of software solution sales. 
Today, Bernadette works for the 20th largest software company globally, selling workforce optimization software and services. In 2007, at her company's invitation, Bernadette re-located to the Boston area, which she loves, and sells to organizations on the east coast and Canada.
As the eldest of 7 siblings and part of a large extended family, Bernadette is passionate about connecting with people and enjoying life to the full! She brings these qualities into her classroom, along with intentionality about learning conversational irish. Her hobbies include dining out, reading, travel, movies and music. Being irish, energetic and sociable, she has been known to frequent Boston's best irish bars for "ceol, craic agus comhluadar," believing that a little immersion in irish culture makes the language learning process easier and more enjoyable!
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