Five well-known faces head to Irish College for a crash course in Gaeilge for new series R alta na Gaeltachta
Des Cahill, Amanda Brunker, Fred Cooke, Lauren Whelan, and Ois n Mullin step into the world of bean an t 's, obair bhaile and the c il m r!
RT 's new series R alta na Gaeltachta sends five familiar faces to Irish college at Col iste Bhr de, Rann na Feirste in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht to take on the challenge of re-learning the Irish language. Sports Broadcaster Des Cahill, writer Amanda Brunker, comedian Fred Cooke, Mayo footballer-turned-AFL-player Ois n Mullin and Tiktok star Lauren Whelan each spend one week living with a Bean an T - as real students with classes, c il s and obair bhaile!
At the end of the week, the ultimate test awaits: have they all got what it takes to become R alta na Gaeltachta?
Dusting off their copybooks and packing their bags, the five students make their way to one of Ireland's most famous Irish colleges Col iste Bhr de, Rann na Feirste, where they spend one week under the care of the m inteoir and mn t , living the full student experience all as Gaeilge.
Under the watchful eye of Bean an T Caitl n N ra Frainc, Des, Fred, and Ois n share a room in the boys' house. Meanwhile in the girls' house, Amanda and Lauren are right at home with Bean an t Maighread Mhic Grianna and her granddaughter Aisling.
Under the tutelage of M inteoir Niall Sluain and helped by a host of local faces, the five students immerse themselves in the summer college experience complete with classes, c il s and plenty of craic agus ceol. Each day the students follow a traditional Irish college timetable - classes in the morning with M inteoir Niall and M abh, followed by busy afternoons of activities as Gaeilge which include singing, dancing and even kayaking. At the end of the week, each student will build up to a scr d b il' to see just how much their grasp of the Irish language has grown. With a prize-giving at the talent show at the end of the week - who will come out on top as true R alta na Gaeltachta?
Ably helped by the likes of M inteoir Ceoil Hugh Mac Giolla Chearra and local artist Morag, the students focus on the concert can Fred try his hand at his musical set as Gaeilge? Can Amanda write and perform a poem? Will Des wrap his head round his party piece in time - and will Lauren ever be able to teach Ois n how to dance?
Set against the stunning coastal backdrop of West Donegal, it's not long before the students find themselves on a road to discovery, to a place where the language reveals itself to them in a light they've never seen before.
For everyone who's ever been to Irish college and for anyone who's ever wondered what it would be like R alta na Gaeltachta provides a feel-good dose of nostalgia that celebrates what it feels like to get to know and love our glorious native language, all over again.
Tune in to the new series of R alta na Gaeltachta on Tuesday 28th February, 7.00pm on RT One and RT Player.
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Five well-known faces head to Irish College for a crash course in Gaeilge for new series R alta na Gaeltachta
