'Opening the school was challenging but worth it'

Tony De Bruin and Risteard Mac Daibhéid, founding teachers, then príomhoide and leas-phríomhoide respectively of Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, were definitely ag oscailt doirsí don todhchaí (opening doors for the future) that fateful September 25 years ago. 

Initially Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir operated out of two portacabins adjacent to Seán Dolans CLG in Creggan, where it welcomed its first six pupils: Dearbhaile, Dearbhla, Ethan, Shane, Coroin-Li  - who now has a child in R7 - and Aoife-Niamh.

The trustees who took the enormous leap of faith a quarter of a century ago and set up the school were: Gerry Ó hEára, Donncha Mac Niallais, Mary-Rose McFadden - Coroin-Li’s mammy - and Linda Kelly - Aoife-Niamh’s mammy.

R4 ag ceillúradh Lá Roald Dahl - R4 celebrating Roald Dahl Day

Recalling the early days, Tony, who obtained his Ard Dioplóma san Oideachas at NUI Galway the previous year, along with his friend, Liam Whelan, said the first six children in what became known as the ‘golden class’ were “so important” to the fledgling school.

He added: “The craic really started when we moved to this current site.

Derry's Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir's milestone birthday

Silver Jubilee: Gaelscoil Éadain Mhoir is 25 years old and going from strength-to-strength

'Breithlá sona duit do Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir

Long may you continue to deliver for the children of Derry

“We had all new buildings and it was all requisitions and ordering stuff because, for the first time, we had proper funding.

There was a lot to do. We were really trying to build up the school and employ staff, all the things that hadn’t been done before. We were all learning on the job so to speak. 

“It was challenging but it was worth it. You only have to look where we are now and what has been achieved here over the last 25 years. 

“Looking around now, I can’t believe Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir has got this big. It is extremely well rooted in the local community.

“At the time we needed space, so we had to move from Creggan. We were slightly worried about moving to the Brandywell but we didn’t need to, we were and are supported by families throughout the Creggan, Bogside and Brandywell area.”

Tony believes the availability of Irish-medium education is an essential element in parental choice.

“Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir sprung from the notion that parents wanted to teach their children through the medium of the Irish language. 25 years ago, there was no opportunity for that locally in this area.

“The school was needed. As an Irish teacher, I wanted to spread the word. As well as teachers, we always classed ourselves as language activists, so we had the goal of spreading enthusiasm for Irish.

“I think Irish-medium education definitely enhances the way children learn. If you are learning through another language, the research speaks for itself, it helps you open another side of your mind and harness so much extra potential.

“I think that the type of school that Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir is too is important. It is a community as well as a school. Our parents are greatly involved, which benefits our pupils and staff.

“We are also well supported locally outside the school. We get involved in activities including the GAA and adult Irish classes, not to mention trips to the Gaeltacht and networking and connecting with other gaelscoileanna.”

A philosophical Tony stressed the importance of being “active” regarding the Irish language and “taking nothing for granted”.

“I would say to young people nowadays, young teachers, anybody involved in the growth of the schools, the language, the culture and sport, that we need to keep building. Personally, I feel very positive about it but you always need to be looking over your shoulder and thinking, ‘What more can we do to grow this and how can we encourage parents to get involved in Irish-medium education’

“I think it speaks for itself. I know a lot of past pupils. They are all in their 20s and 30s now. Some of them are parents and they are very willing to send their children back here. I still admire the six set of parents who sent their children to Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir that first day.”

Clodagh and Fiachra, who are currently in Rang a Seacht and sit on the School Council, told Derry News about how “friendly” Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir was.

“My favourite thing about Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir is that I have loads of friends to play soccer with. Playing soccer is one of my favourite things to do.

“Our School Council is about making Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir better by getting new footballs, a new park and new football nets.

“I think it is very good to be taught through Irish. I like speaking Irish. One of my best days was our trip to Lurgybrack Farm. I remember opening my lunchbox and there was a plum there and it exploded.”

Fiachra said his two most favourite things about Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir was “keeping the language alive” and playing football with his best friends, Fionn and Eoghan..

“Fionn is Clodagh’s brother and he was my first friend at school. My daddy and Eoghan’s daddy are friends and so we will be friends for life.

“I think it is important to speak Irish because it is our main language,” added Fiachra.

Who knows, one day Clodagh and Fiachra might come back to Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir to work, just like past pupils, Rebecca and Katie - who are now teaching assistants - and Nicole - who now teaches in the Naíscoil.

Rebecca, who is Tony’s daughter, said her standout memory of being a pupil at Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir was that it was “always like a small family”.

“It was small when we were here at the start but it has grown so much. I actually started when the school was up at Seán Dolans. We had Irish at home and we were always going to be sent to an Irish-medium school,” she laughed.

“I have great memories of being a pupil at Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir. I can’t believe we are celebrating our 25th birthday. It makes me feel old.

“I am working in Rang a hAon. It is a lot of work but I love it. I think children at Irish-medium education will have many more opportunities in their futures. Already I can see, they are picking it up so easily. They are so capable. It is just a lovely gift to be able to speak the language,” said Rebecca.

Agreeing, Nicole fondly remembered being part of the “big composite class” when she came to Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir as a pupil back in the day.

“There was always a close connection between the staff, the pupils and their parents,” she said. “If there was anything tricky homework wise, the parents always helped one another out. There was always a warmth around the school. My mammy and my aunties have always said that. It was my uncle who encouraged my mammy to send me to Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, and my brothers followed me.

“We took Irish so much for granted. It wasn’t until I went to university I realised it was a pure gift. It was the teachers we had here who made me determined to go on and become a teacher. They inspired me. They had a passion for the language, which made us so interested in it too,” said Nicole. “My dreams have come true.”

The three young women agreed working in Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir “does not feel like a job”.

R1 Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir in 2003.

According to Katie the school went above and beyond to support her as a pupil because no-one in her family spoke the language.

“I loved it. Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir was like a family. Everybody just looked out for one another.

“Everybody played together and did shows together. My mammy really liked that.

“I was so enthusiastic about the school and the opportunities it provided that my sister has sent her three children here and my nephew has now gone on to Irish-medium post primary school at St Brigid’s College. I think that is amazing, coming from the fact that I started here on my own.”