Pictured at the launch of Coláiste na bhFiann web-site in Dublin on Monday 11th February were Caitriona Ni Cheallaigh,CEO, Coláiste na bhFiann and Irish language broadcaster and entertainer "HECTOR " who officially launched the new web-site.

Coláiste na bhFiann launches a new web-site and announces details of their 40 Year Dinner.

Ireland's longest established Irish language course organiser, Coláiste na bhFiann are pleased to announce the launch of their new look web-site. www.Coláistenabhfiann.ie. This web-site was officially launched by well known Irish speaker and broadcaster "HECTOR" at Aras Chomhdail Naisiunta na Gaeilge, 46 Kildare Street, Dublin 2. on Monday 11th February, 2008 at 12.30pm.

Presenting the new web-site, Caitriona Ní Cheallaigh, CEO, Coláiste na bhFiann said the new site was designed to provide up to date, easy to access information on Coláiste na bhFiann and its Irish courses as well as provide on-line registration for all courses. This new web-site also contains details of the Dinner and Ceili to be held in Croke Park, Conference Centre, Dublin, in November to celebrate 40 successful years of Coláiste na bhFiann. As over 50,000 people have attended Coláiste na bhFiann this website will also facilitate past pupils to make contact once again. Already many past pupils are sending their children to Coláiste na bhFiann to have the same experience as themselves.

Speaking at the event, Caitriona Ni Cheallaigh said, "I am very pleased to present this new look web-site designed and developed by Gravitate. It will further promote the excellent ethos of Coláiste na bhFiann as the largest Irish language youth service for young people, providing them with fluency and confidence in speaking the language, as well as an opportunity to appreciate our native language and to interact with like-minded people. I also am delighted to announce we will be having a special 40th Coláiste na bhFiann, Anniversary Dinner in November which I expect to be very well attended!"

Hector reminded those present of his long, successful association with Coláiste na bhFiann, formerly as a student and latterly as a Youth Officer on the fulltime staff. . He said "I owe my love and positive attitude towards the Irish language to Coláiste na bhFiann and the independent, confident person I am today to the experience I gained on their courses, both as a student and later as a Youth Officer working with youth clubs all over the country. I would strongly recommend that all young people check out Coláiste na bhFiann courses on this new web-site, tell their friends about them and book them. It will be something that will enrich your life enormously in many ways. I also congratulate Coláiste na bhFiann on its 40 years in existence as the leading Irish Language Youth Service and I look forward to celebrate this occasion in style at their 40 year Dinner in November"

To check out the new web-site and get full details of the 40 Year Dinner go onto; www.Coláistenabhfiann.ie

Preasráiteas as gaeilge (PDF)

Further information
Caitriona Ni Cheallaigh,
Coláiste Na bhFiann,
4 Clifton Terrace,
Monkstown,
Co Dublin.
Tel: 01-2808091, Fax: 01-2807665.
Email: eolas@colaistenabhfiann.ie

Mary FitzGerald
Mary FitzGerald Public Relations
Fitzwilliam Hall,
Fitzwilliam Place,
Dublin 2
Tel: 01-6694759, Mobile: 086-2520181.
Email: info@maryfitzgeraldpr.ie

About Coláiste na bhFiann.
Ireland's longest established Irish language course organiser, Coláiste na bhFiann was founded over 40 years ago with one aim-to teach young people to speak Irish in a welcoming environment that encourages a positive attitude towards the language. Building on the basics of Irish learned within the traditional schools structure, Coláiste na bhFiann has developed a formula that has successfully helped generations of young people to enjoy improving their Irish language skills.

It involves a process of total immersion with formal lessons, interspersed with more informal activities including music, sport, and arts and crafts, all conducted through the medium of Irish.

Experienced staff, many of whom are past pupils, tried and tested teaching methods and personal attention through classes with a low pupil/ teacher ratio are factors that have contributed to this success and allow Coláiste na bhFiann to guarantee fluency after three weeks, regardless of previous ability.

Coláiste na bhFiann organise a series of courses at 7 different centres-3 week residential courses based both in residential Colleges and also in the Gaeltacht areas of Rath Cairn, Co Meath and Rosmuc, Co Galway between June and August each year. A 2 week day course is also held in the Gaeltacht area of Baile an Sceilg, Co Kerry.

A unique feature is the opportunity to speak Irish on a regular basis after each course through membership of Cumann na bhFiann, the largest nationwide youth service through Irish, running weekly youth club events all year round. Cumann na bhFiann comprises of 50/60 youth clubs nationwide. Cumann na bhFiann provides an opportunity to use the language as a living language while at the same time providing a safe, supervised environment for young people to spend some of their free time.