Before You Go: Information meeting, transport, packing, anthems

Find a Course

Look at the course Options and read the FAQ: We offer courses in 6 different locations for different age groups, so first check which courses suit you, and read some of the common questions in the FAQ page: this will answer the most common questions before you have to ask them! List of Courses

Foirm Iarratais / Application Form

You can apply for a course with the printed and posted form, or if available, the new online form. Please read the details carefully, then fill in the application form and send to Spleodar. A deposit is required to complete a booking. Due to demand we cannot not always guarantee a place (even with a deposit provided) for everyone on every course, but we always try to make sure that nobody misses out.

An tAgallamh / Information meeting

If this is your first time at Spleodar you will need to attend an online Information Meeting with a parent or guardian. These meetings are held in the months before the courses run and you can learn more about this meeting here. Don’t worry, it’s not an exam!

Pacáiste Eolais/Information Pack

An information pack will be emailed to all families two weeks prior to their course. This will contain details of contact phone numbers, postal and email addresses, travel details and a list of items to pack. This info will also be here on this website, and you can also contact the head office.

Taisteal-Travelling to Spleodar

An optional bus service is available to students requiring transport to and from the college. Buses run from a number of locations:

An Bóthar Buí – (Baile Átha Cliath) / Enfield (serving Dublin City), Cill Bheagáin / Kilbeggan, Baile Átha Luain / Athlone, Ceatharlach / Carlow, Port Laoise / Portlaoise, an Longfort /Longford, Ros Comáin / Roscommon, Uarán Mór (Gaillimh) / Oranmore (Galway).

Useful Phrases

We have created a set of useful phrases to help you get up and running when you arrive at your Spleodar course.

Remember, you just need a few basic sentences to get up and running: Tús maith, leath na hoibre!

SPLEODAR STUDENT CHECKLIST: What should you pack?

Ginearálta (General)

Airgead Póca. Pocket Money – there will be roughly one visit to the shop per day. Spleodar operate an internal bank system where students can deposit money and withdraw as they go.

The local shop for some courses accept Revolut and debit cards.
Course Locations that have these card payment facilities are:

  • Leitir Mealláin
  • Leitir Móir
  • Ros Muc

NB: this list my expand or change as shops update their systems independently of Spleodar so please check in 2 weeks prior to when your course starts.

Seic €60 don Dochtúir. €60 cheque payable to SPLEODAR for doctor/medical bills, which will be returned if unused. Cárta leighis (Medical Card) may alternatively be provided if applicable. This must not be a photocopy.

Clúdaigh Litreach réamhstampáilte. Stamped-addressed Envelopes. Stamps can be difficult for students to acquire whilst on the course.

Cóipleabhar crua agus pinn do na ranganna, Hardback copy and pens for class.

Foclóir Béarla/Gaeilge. English/Irish Dictionary.

Éadaí (Clothes)

You will need enough clothes for 3 weeks/21 days. In relation to washing, the Bean An Tí will wash underwear, socks, t-shirts and towels. An old pillow case or net bag for the washing machine is necessary. Sometimes it may be useful for the student, if parent is coming up for two Sunday visits, to bring up more clothes and take away used clothes, etc.

Underwear

Socks (bring spares!)

T-shirts

Hoody/warm sweater

Good Raincoat with Hood. A Hoody will not suffice. – Cóta maith báistí a bhfuil cochall air.

Runners or good walking shoes. – Bróga maithe reatha nó bróga maithe siúlóide.

Small rucksack/bag. – Mála droma beag.

Sports clothes and swimming togs. – Éadaí spóirt agus snámha.

Towels. – Tuáillí.

Pillow case (or net bag) for the washing machine

Sun Cream – Lóis ghréine.

Roll-on deodorant – Díbholaíoch rollógach. – We ask students not to bring any sprays. Any sprays will be confiscated.

Insect Repellent. – Éarthach feithidí.

Spórt & Ceol (Sport & Music)

Uirlisí Ceoil. Musical instruments. Please check if instrument is covered under house
insurance.

Camán & Clogad. Hurley & Helmet. Students will not be permitted to play
hurling/camogie without a helmet. You do not have to buy a hurl and helmet: this sport is for students that have an interest in hurling and are already involved with a hurling team.

Miscellaneous (Ilchineálach)

Lunch Box. – Bosca lóin.

Good Water Flask. This will allow students use our water coolers whenever necessary. – Buidéal Uisce

Any costumes, wigs, etc. which may be useful for dress-up céilís and competitions.

Optional.

Doctor’s Cheque, Pocket Money & Bus Money must each be placed in individual envelopes and marked
as follows:
ÁBHAR: [‘Subject ’, i.e. on each envelope, there will be one subject – Doctors Cheque, Pocket Money or Bus Money]
AINM: [‘Name ’ in Irish]
MÉID: [‘Amount ’ – With the doctor’s envelope, please use this heading to specify if cheque or medical card is enclosed]

In the event that any item in possession of a student is deemed dangerous, or otherwise in breach of the terms and conditions, such student will be asked to hand the item over to a member of staff. Such possession may be seen as a serious breach of discipline. Any item that is deemed dangerous will not be returned to the student at the end of the course under any circumstances.

It is important that students know both Amhrán na bhFiann & Amhrán an Choláiste (below).

Amhrán Na bhFiann

 

Seo dhaoibh, a chairde, duan Óglaigh,
Caithréimeach, bríomhar, ceolmhar.
Ár dtinte cnámh go buacach táid,
Faoin spéir go min réaltógach.
‘S fonnmhar faobhrach sinn chun gleo,
‘S go tiúnmhar glé roimh theacht don ló.
Faoi chiúnas caomh na hoíche ar seol,
Seo libh, canaigí Amhrán na bhFiann.

Sinne Laochra Fáil, atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn,
Buíon dár slua thar toinn do ráinig chugainn.
Fé mhóid bheith soar, seantír ar sinsear feasta,
Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán na faoin tráill.
Anocht a théim sa bhearna bhaoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil chun báis nó saol.
Le gunnaí scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar.
Seo libh, canaigí Amhrán na bhFiann.
 

Amhrán An Choláiste

Sruth buan ó ghlúin go glúin
Sníonn siad gan staonadh anuas. (X3)

Taisce na tíre ar dteanga féin,
A lasann an ród dúinn ar chúl ‘s ar aghaidh.
Saibhríonn sí an saol dúinn anseo ‘s i gcéin
Mar sin siúlaigí go sior leis an nGaeilge.
Sruth buan ó ghlúin go glúin
Snionn sí gan staonadh anuas. (X3)
Tabharfaimid féin an Ghaeilge linn,
Go bródúil i gcéin is i gcóngar
‘S tabharfaimid leis do chách an deis,
Í a fhoghlaim anseo ag an tobar.

Sruth buan ó ghlúin go glúin
Snionn sí gan staonadh anuas. (X3)

Chugainn.