Irish Language Digital Content:
Existing Products and Future Requirements
Foras na Gaeilge Paper for Digiscoil Symposium
Research: Niall mac Uidhilin and Deirdre Hetherington
Editor: Seán Mac Aoire
Introduction
Arising from the Schools IT 2000 programme it has become obvious that there is an urgent need to
develop high quality digital resources both for teaching Irish and for teaching through the medium of
Irish. This Symposium aims at addressing this need and, at making recommendations as to how this
should be brought about. As a means of starting this process, this document focuses on existing Irishlanguage ICT resources and on identifying future requirements to assist teaching of Irish and of other
subjects through the medium of Irish in primary and post-primary schools. General purpose Irishlanguage ICT resources that could be used in schools and existing resources in non-digital formats are
also examined.
Many teachers believe they do not have the expertise to specify what types of resources are required to
meet the various needs of their pupils in relation to teaching Irish. There is no easy way for them to find
out what is involved. Many of those surveyed did emphasise the need for attractive resources which are
both pupil-friendly and classroom oriented. Apart from the need to relate directly to the curriculum they
emphasised the requirements of simple attractive interfaces and the use of games to help teach the
language. Teachers also suggested the provision of ancillary support materials to supplement existing
ICT resources.
This paper will address the requirements for digital content for
1. teaching Irish as a subject
2. teaching the Curriculum through the medium of Irish.
1. Teaching Irish as a subject:
Content-Rich Software
Content-rich software is designed to fulfil a specific function, e.g., to teach Irish.
With a couple of exceptions, most software packages that teach Irish as a second language are aimed
at adults (in terms of interface, vocabulary, etc.). Software packages for beginners are used in some
primary schools as a supplement to teaching, and cover simple vocabulary, word association, simple
phrases, word games, etc. Examples of these include Heinemann/Eurotalk’s Multimedia Flashcards
(aimed at children) and Talk Now Irish.
Several software packages are used to teach Irish at post-primary level. Some of these (e.g. Eurotalk’s
World Talk, Transparent Language’s Learn Irish Now) are generic software packages with Irish
“plugged in”. Most of the packages of this type available are not designed to teach the Irish language
specifically, e.g., the order in which the language is approached does not seem to take regard of which
steps in learning the Irish language are the most complex. Others have been developed from scratch
(e.g. Galmac’s SpeakWrite Irish). These cover vocabulary, common phrases, grammar, games, etc.
Some of these are quite comprehensive. Hetherington (2000) in her analysis found that most of them
were “targeted at the general language learner” and “not entirely appropriate for the classroom”.
Software packages in Irish that are used to teach Irish cover basic vocabulary, simple phrases, colours,
numbers and proverbs. These are popular in many schools. Irish-medium schools use them at an
earlier stage than other schools. Examples of this would include Fios Feasa’s Drochlá Ruairí and An
Chéad Choiscéim.
In the case of post-primary schools in Ireland there are very few software packages in Irish or in English
on the market aimed specifically at them. Past aural examination software packages exist for the Junior
and Leaving Certificates (Rosk’s Lingua-Master). Some are currently being developed (e.g. MathsMaster and Biology-Master from Rosk and the Little-Hero project)
Content-Rich Software: Recommendations
Teachers would like to see more resources to make learning Irish more enjoyable for children. Many
teachers feel that the use of interactive material/games with strong educational themes work well and
would like to see more of these available for/in Irish.
Content-rich resources should be developed in two ways:
1. Public bodies such as the GAA and Dúchas who have already co-operated with initiatives such
as An Scríbhneoir Óg could get involved. This in turn, would encourage schools to produce their
own resources and possibly make them available on the web.
2. New curriculum-specific, content-rich resources should be created to support teaching core
subjects (that could be used at both primary and post-primary levels).
Content-Free Software
Content free software allows the user to input their own content, e.g., text, graphics, video etc. Tools
typically include multimedia authoring tools, word processors, html editors, presentation software,
image editors, sound editors, etc. Schools that use content-free software tools express satisfaction with
the results. These tools provide a platform from which Irish and creative computing skills can be taught
simultaneously. The material can also be directly related to classroom work in any subject, expanding
the opportunities to teach Irish in an integrated fashion.
A certain level of skill and experience is required to use this software. Most of these programs allow
others to use their creations without having the application themselves. Some of these tools come in
child-friendly formats. For example, the recently released An Scríbhneoir Óg (Carroll-Heinemann) is a
semi-content-free journalist software package in four European languages including Irish, aimed at
senior primary and junior post-primary level. Software produced by the Fabula project (see projects
and initiatives, below) is similarly child-friendly.
Among schools which employ ICTs as an aid to teaching Irish, content-free software is widely used.
Pupils are encouraged to create content in Irish. Examples of this include: multimedia projects, creating
signs in Irish, interactive stories using pupils’ voices and pictures, etc.
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A further attraction of content-free software is that it is relatively straightforward to publish this material
on the Web. This can give pupils a great sense of achievement by publishing in their own language to a
world-wide audience.
However it must be said that the principal reason most Irish schools favour use of content-free software
with the language is because of the lack of curricular content-rich software for Irish on the general
market.
Content-Free Software: Recommendation
 New resources (using suitable existing material where appropriate), compatible with content-free
software (i.e. graphics, sound files, video footage etc.) should be created and distributed with
software packages and/or on the Internet. Resources such as graphics sound files etc. should be
created to complement those supplied with the software.
Internet Resources
Use of the internet in primary schools is carefully supervised by teachers. Many teachers bookmark
sites of both general and specific educational value for children such as those related to nature, folklore
and history (e.g. Scoilnet, the GAA, Dublin Zoo, other schools, etc.). Some schools use the Internet
primarily to download free educational resources (free programs, sound files, images, etc.).
The Internet is used as a communications medium to connect classes and schools in different areas and
countries together (e.g. Recent peace programme project in Northern Ireland to link Gaeltacht and
Galltacht schools).
There are very few resources on the Internet for teachers and students to download for teaching Irish or
teaching through the medium of Irish; individual teachers have made some resources available for
downloading from relevant educational organisations’ sites (e.g. ScoilNet, INTO). These consist
mainly of ideas for classwork and worksheets that can be handed out. Teachers are satisfied with the
quality of these resources but feel that more are required.
In a survey carried out when this document was in preparation teachers consulted expressed a desire to
see quality sites in Irish, with at least some content aimed at children that could be used to assist
teaching Irish at primary level.
Some media sites contain material through Irish for children. For example the TG4 site contains online
games and entertainment and BBC Northern Ireland dedicate part of their site to Irish (Blas) which
includes a set of on-line lessons in Real Audio format.
There is a number of independent sites both to teach Irish and to teach the Curriculum through the
medium of Irish. Much trawling would have to be done by a teacher to find resources suitable for
school children for one or more of the following reasons:
– Poor quality design
– Adult-orientated
– Fee-based
– Inaccurate content, e.g., grammar spelling etc.
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A small number of schools have their own web sites. Experienced teachers believe that getting schools
to publish their own pupil-centred web site is the priority in this area. Schools would be able to publish
content generated by pupils in any language they choose, giving the language an immediacy and
relevence, particularly when Irish is the language in question. A number of primary schools have
already published quality Irish-language content on their websites (e.g. Gaelscoil Ó Doghair, Askea
Boys National School, Scoil Chill na Mairtire, Coolderry Central School, etc.).
Internet Resources: Projects and Initiatives
A number of relevant initiatives have been undertaken or are in progress. These include:
– The Fabula project (as will be presented by Prof. Viv Edwards this afternoon) - an EU
project to develop an authoring tool to enable teachers (and children) to create bilingual
multimedia story books to help primary school children learn a second language. Seeing the
two languages side by side will develop children’s language awareness. Fabula has already
been tried to great success in swapping stories between schools in different languages
(French and Basque) which enables children to learn from each other.
– An Irish phonetics software package is being developed by Muintearas na n-Oileán based on
their text-based phonetic resources that are currently being used successfully in primary
schools throughout the country. It is due for release later in 2001 and will be distributed on
demand.
– Muintearas are also co-ordinating the development of Irish-language content in primary
schools of different backgrounds using multimedia authoring tools. Content includes local
history, folklore, nature etc. Muintearas intend to publish the combined content and distribute
it among the participating schools when it is completed (early 2001).
– Content providers (such as Little Hero) are looking towards the Web as the new publishing
medium.
– Sult is an e-zine for Irish learners which is in the initial stages of development by a number
of Irish language experts. It will be published once a month from early next year and will be
aimed at lifelong learners at four different levels.
– The national newspaper Foinse is due to begin development soon on a new media site.
Foinse publishes quality resources that are useful to schools.
Internet Resources:Recommendations

Good quality Irish language sites would be of benefit to all schools wishing to use the internet as a
medium of instruction. By being exposed to quality Irish language content and seeing the language
in context, children would be encouraged to learn Irish.
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Web sites in Ireland should be encouraged to include quality bilingual content and existing bilingual
web sites should be encouraged to include material directed at children, suitable for use in the
classroom. This is particularly true in the case of State run organisations and organisations receiving
State funding. As matters stand English language educational and entertainment resources on the
Web are being used in Irish-medium schools because of the lack of quality Irish language web
content.
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There are useful second–level resources to aid teaching Irish available for teachers to download
from relevant educational organisations (e.g. ScoilNet contains exam- and curriculum- specific
material uploaded by teachers – see below)
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Other Internet services exist e.g. Vifax don Ghaeilge is a subscription-based set of weekly
exercises based on TG4 news sent by e-mail.
Scoilnet is a conduit which facilitates access by teacher and pupil alike to educational web-based digital
resources. There are some quality Irish language resource materials already available on the site. There
is, however, an opportunity for content providers to add considerably to this: teachers, commercial
publishers and other interested parties. How this should be approached is moot:
- Is some type of incentive, financial or other required?
- In what way and to what extent should commercial providers be involved?
- Who should monitor Irish language content provision?
- How should visitors be directed to other good quality Irish language sites?
The Scoilnet site would host quality Irish language content and resources for schools at primary and
post-primary levels.

Additional resources should include: graded reading, grammar and aural exercises, language games,
downloads (of resources suitable for use with content free software), curriculum- and exam- specific
material and teachers’ guides.

Software providers, teachers, pupils and those with a special interest should be encouraged to
contribute content which would stimulate further interest and maintain a vibrancy within the site.

Input should be funded and maintained using the same model as other Irish language publications
(newspapers, magazines and the new e-zine - Sult). These are non-profit ventures and costs (set-up,
maintenance, editor’s fees, contributors fees, etc.) could be met by e.g., NCTE and Foras na Gaeilge
in partnership.

The site should be published periodically on CD-ROM to facilitate access
3. Teaching the curriculum through Irish
Content-Rich Software
The insufficiency of content for teaching other subjects through Irish means that Irish-medium schools
must resort to using English-medium software packages. At primary school level the types of software
packages used include maths, infant activities, interactive stories, educational adventure games,
children’s encyclopaedias, multimedia versions of logo, etc.
At second level too teachers in Irish-medium schools make use of UK-developed content rich software
packages (e.g. atlases, encyclopaedias and GCSE software packages) to aid teaching certain subjects
(e.g. Maths, Geography and Science).
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A number of Irish-medium software packages covering areas such as elementary Irish, folklore, nature,
creative writing and civics have been and are being developed indigenously from scratch (e.g. The
Verbal Arts Centre’s bilingual Everlasting Voices, The Tree Council of Ireland’s Lá na gCrann, CarrollHeinemann’s An Scríbhneoir Óg and Fios Feasa’s products.
Other software packages are being localised and translated into Irish (e.g. the localisation of a children’s
encyclopaedia and the selection of a maths software package for localisation is underway by an EUsponsored programme in Northern Ireland). Nóirín Uí Mhaolaí will address the symposium on the
issues involved in selecting these software packages. Lessons learned from this process should be taken
into account for subsequent localisations.
Content-rich software through Irish: Recommendations
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Teachers in Irish-medium schools and schools which teach some subjects through the medium of
Irish require content-rich software packages through Irish in all areas of the curriculum. Many
teachers did not state a preference for subject areas, merely that software packages of similar
standards to the English-speaking market leaders were what they required. Others suggested maths,
music and geography as priority areas for development. In the case of maths for example, most
teachers sought adaptations of existing software packages. It was felt that new developments were
required in the more culturally specific subjects (e.g. geography, history, etc.).
Any content-rich software developed for post-primary schools needs to be Curriculum-orientated.
The lack of existing software through English presents an opportunity to develop new post-primary
schools software bilingually. This would have to be approached carefully as feedback suggests that
many companies who develop monolingual software do not appreciate the complexities of
developing bilingual software or software through a minority language.
The following examples of suggested areas of new content are based on interviews with and surveys
completed by teachers and are tempered by current software developments (for example, proposed
localisations should await results of ongoing projects). Criteria for suitable software listed by teachers
(teaching Irish) are assumed. The purpose of such cross-curricular software would be to use the
language as a means of imparting information in an everyday situation while allowing them to use it for
a particular purpose. This can help lead pupils (and teachers) to discover a natural relevance in the
language.
New Development Example 1: Content-rich 32-county Irish adventure
Would cover geography, history, culture, folklore, nature
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Virtual tour of Ireland (could be in conjuction with a body like Dúchas)
This could be presented in both a non-linear format as a micropedia and a linear format (e.g. as
an adventure game with aim to visit each county and tasks to complete in each one)
Possible Features
 Content heavy with different levels of text and audio complexity
 Geography: Maps, local features, navigation
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Folklore: Meanings of placenames, legends
Nature: What can be seen in each county.
History: Monuments
Quizzes & games based on content
Provision for children to add their own local material
Printing of material for use away from the computer
Teacher guidelines and resources on use with each subject
New Development Example 2: Irish Nature Software package
Would cover nature, geography and history (could be bilingual)
Possible Features
 Describe unique features of Irish Natural History (again, could be in conjunction with a body like
Dúchas)
 Location and description of habitats
 Species
 Meaning of names (connections with placenames)
 Potential for audio and video use
 Quizzes & games based on content
 Teacher guidelines and resources on use with each subject
Content-Free Software through Irish
Content-free software packages (listed above) are widely used by both teachers and pupils to create
content to aid teaching other subjects through Irish. Examples of this can be seen on school and
educational websites and on content-free resource CD’s (e.g. an interactive storybook produced by Scoil
Chaitlín Maude using StoryMaker, a Resource CD for HyperStudio produced by Paddy Bates)
In Irish-medium post-primary schools, much of the software being used appears to be content-free.
Office-type software packages are the most common. These are used for creating essays, reports,
presentations, etc.
Some students get involved in web development, particularly during transition year.
Content-Free Software through Irish: Initiatives
The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme has given scope for ICT initiatives at post-primary level.
For example a project managed by ICTs in the west of Ireland uses content-free software to create a CDROM for submission as part of the assessment of the LCVP. Each student creates a CD-ROM
containing multimedia presentations (including video) on subjects such as ‘where I’m from’, CVs, work
experience, interviews, etc. This CD is then submitted for examination (department approval recently
received). There is one Irish-medium school (Coláiste Chroí Mhuire, An Spidéal, Co. Galway) involved
in this project. Both they and the English-speaking schools involved in the project have found the use of
ICTs in this manner to be most productive and relevant. The availability of language proofing tools,
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similar to those available in English, would add to the professionalism of the material being created in
Irish.
Attempts are being made to encourage the use of ICTs in post-primary schools. For example, a new
company, based in Cork (Little-Hero) are involved in an NCTE pilot programme to develop solutions
for problematic area of the schools curriculum using ICTs. Irish will be the first subject to be made
available.
Internet Resources
There are very few sites with resources suitable for teaching the Primary Curriculum through Irish apart
from a few resources on school and educational websites (e.g. INTO, ScoilNet). These resources are of
good quality and consist mainly of worksheets and class ideas. They are not divided into different
subject areas on websites but are all available using the keyword ‘Gaeilge’.
At second level little suitable content exists for teaching the Curriculum through Irish.
Internet Resources: Recommendation
 Material on Irish Media sites could be used by teachers (e.g. audio news files from Raidió na
Gaeltachta for aural work and text from the other various media sites)
4. Language Tools
Spellcheckers
A number of working spellcheckers for Irish exist. Most of these are quite esoteric and unlikely to
prove useful to the average user.
A user-friendly Irish spellchecker is being developed in the Computational Linguistics department of
Trinity College in conjunction with Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann. Two consecutive final year
projects has resulted in a user-friendly tool that is compatible with Microsoft Word 2000 for the PC. It
is expected that it will be shipped with the next version of MS Office due in April 2001.
Recommendations
 It is important that interested parties (university departments, language organisations, software
providers, etc.) are made aware and kept aware of these types of developments to avoid repeating the
work of others.

Feedback from all sides emphasises the need for a user-friendly spellchecker. Work in the C.L.
department of Trinity College has made the availability of such a spellchecker a distinct possibility
in the near future. Any help necessary should be made available to expedite the completion and
distribution of this spellchecker.
Dictionaries
For example, the most recent comprehensive Irish-English dictionary by Ó Dónaill (1977) has been
made available in a searchable version (shorter version) called Gléacht. This contains additional
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grammar references on all terms. It is highly valued by those who work through the medium of Irish
(including teachers and students) as it can be consulted in Irish-English and English-Irish forms.
An Gúm are developing a CD-ROM, due for release in the Spring 2001, containing searchable versions
of their Scientific Terminology Lists. This will be of use to those working in the sciences through the
medium of Irish.
Several online dictionaries exist. These include: an Irish-Irish dictionary developed in the University of
Limerick, an 8000-term computer, finance and enterprise dictionary developed in DCU and an IrishEnglish/English-Irish dictionary available on the TopStudy website. A multilingual dictionary for
minority languages is being developed by ITÉ and other European partners.
Recommendation
 A comprehensive modern electronic dictionary which will operate at several levels - beginner to
expert is required. This could involve the updating of existing software or the creation of a new
software package. The longer version of Ó Dónaill’s is a potential starting point for such a venture.
Grammars
A number of sites dedicated to Irish grammar exist. The quality of many of these is poor (inaccurate,
not user friendly, etc.).
A grammar checker is also highly desirable. The complexity of such a task cannot be underestimated.
The approach in Trinity is to break the task into manageable chunks and allow others to build on
previous work. At present ITÉ is working in conjunction with Trinity to provide a grammar-checker,
which is expected to be available approximately October 2002.
Other Tools
The University of Limerick are developing Computer Assisted Language Learning systems for Irish
Large Irish corpora exist in electronic formats in Irish academic institutions which can and are being
used to create tools for the language.

Formalised contact between interested parties should foster awareness and co-operation and instil
confidence that tasks such as a comprehensive user-friendly grammar-checker are achievable.
5. General Software
Some general-purpose software has been localised into Irish. Examples of this include ClarisWorks,
MacWrite Pro and Eudora Light localised by Everson Gunn Teo for the Apple Mac. Current projects
include the Opera Web Browser being localised by Fiontar, DCU. These localisations show that Irish is
able to cope with new innovations which according to language experts, is vital for its survival. These
projects have been funded by a variety of grants (Irish language organisations and cross-border EU,
etc.).
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It is important that terminology used in these localisations remains fairly standard. All official Irish
terminology is managed and approved by An Coiste Téarmaíochta (the Terminology Committee), An
Gúm (now part of Foras na Gaeilge).
2. Other Resources: The role of Broadcast Media
Television and Video
TG4 have a library of programmes some of which would be ideal for producing educational software
(e.g. Now You’re Talking, Teletubbies as Gaeilge, Hiúdaí). The Vifax project (section 3) already uses
nuacht TG4 (non-digitised).
RTÉ has a vast amount of televisual Irish language material in its archives. Most of this is again on
tape.
Audio
Raidió na Gaeltachta broadcasts live on the Internet and also makes the news available for downloading.
An electronic sound archive is readily achievable with material that has been broadcast in this format.
Valuable material on tape could be digitised and added to such an archive
There is a lot of valuable Irish language archive material, primarily on tape, stored throughout the
country and abroad. Most of it is held by RTÉ, BBC, Irish language organisations and academic
institutions and some is held by private individuals. The possibilities of making this material available
for digitisation should be investigated.
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