The children at Gaelscoil Bhun Cranncha, Donegal, were over the moon this week when the famous astronaut, Chris Hadfield, visited the school.
Hadfield was the first Canadian to ever walk in space. In February 2013, he created a lot of hype when he sent this message on Twitter from the International Space Station:
“@Cmdr_Hadfield: Tá Éire fíorálainn! Land of green hills & dark beer. With capital Dublin glowing in the Irish night.”
While visiting Ireland, Chris and his wife Helene visited Croke Park, The Guinness Storehouse and ‘Titanic Belfast’.
On January 13th 2014, Chris called into Gaelscoil Bhun Cranncha to improve his Irish.
You can listen to the piece which was recorded by RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on the day, here.
Speaking in Irish, Chris said:
“I came to Ireland as I am interested in Irish culture. I am fond of hurling and the Irish language. Ireland is a very beautiful place but Donegal is special. “
According to the school’s principal, Úna Ní Mhaoildeirg Uí Cheallaigh (below right), the children were very excited.
“Some of the children gave Chris an Irish lesson and it was really great. I don’t think we will have another school day like it,” she said.
Thanks to photographer John McConnell (jmac.ie) who made these photographs available to us.
Bhí sceitimíní áthais ar na páistí ag Gaelscoil Bhun Cranncha, Dún na nGall, an tseachtain seo nuair a thug an spásaire cáiliúil, Chris Hadfield, cuairt ar a scoil.
Ba é an chéad Cheanadach a shiúl i spás. I mí Feabhra 2013, tharraing sé neart cainte nuair a sheol sé an teachtaireacht seo ar Twitter agus é sa Stáisiún Spáis Idirnáisiúnta:
“@Cmdr_Hadfield: Tá Éire fíorálainn! Land of green hills & dark beer. With capital Dublin glowing in the Irish night.”
Thug Chris agus a bhean chéile Helene cuairt ar Pháirc an Chrócaigh, ‘Guinness Storehouse’ agus ‘Titanic Belfast’ le linn na cuairte in Éirinn.
Ar an 13 Eanáir 2014, bhuail Chris isteach ag Gaelscoil Bhun Cranncha chun barr feabhais a chur ar a chuid Gaeilge.
Is féidir éisteacht leis an mír a rinne RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta ar an lá anseo.
Ag labhairt as Gaeilge, dúirt Chris:
“Tháinig mé go hÉirinn toisc go bhfuil suim agam i gcultúr na hÉireann. Tá dúil agam san iomáint agus sa teanga Gaeilge. Is áit fíor-álainn í Éirinn ach tá Dún na nGall speisialta.”
Dar le príomhoide ní scoile, Úna Ní Mhaoildeirg Uí Cheallaigh (thíos ar dheis), bhí daltaí na scoile ar bís:
“Mhúin cuid de na páistí ceacht Gaeilge dó agus bhí sé iontach mhaith. Ní bheidh lá scoile cosúil leis riamh arís againn,” a dúirt sí.
Buíochas leis an ngriangrafadóir John McConnell (jmac.ie) a chuir na grianghraif seo ar fáil dúinn.