Galway City Council, in partnership with Galway Bay Sailing Club, is inviting applications for ‘Gaeilge Chois Trá’ Scholarships, with six places on offer worth €320 per student.
This unique course offers Transition Year and Fifth Year students an opportunity to prepare for the Leaving Cert Irish Oral exam – spending the morning in classes, afternoons on the water and on shore with activities including sailing, swimming, rib rides and pier jumping.
Apply online at www.GalwayCity.ie by Sunday 10 May 2026. The Prize Draw will take place week commencing 11 May 2026.
Six scholarships are available to students living and in school in Galway City.
The courses will take place in Galway Bay Sailing Club in Renville and will run from 8-12 June, and 15-19 June, from 9:30am to 4:30pm – offering an unrivalled ‘Gaeltacht experience’, with all the comforts of home in the evenings!
Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard said Galway City Council is delighted to support six students in the city to build their confidence as Gaeilge, through fun filled activities in the water and on-shore. Beatha teanga í a labhairt – you have to speak a language to keep it alive.”
A typical day will include Gaeilge classes in the morning, with a Department of Education Leaving Cert examiner, to include tips and tricks to maximise leaving cert points.
“The rest of the day includes shore and water-based activities to practice oral skills learned. All instructors and trainers are fluent Irish speakers. On water activities are supervised by Irish Sailing qualified instructors.
Water based Activities include Dinghy Sailing; Rib Rides; Swimming; Rafting; and Pier Jumping. Shore based activities include Shore Walks and Foraging; Games; Quizzes; Music and Dance; Tug of War and all wrapped up with a weekly Céilí.
Marcus Ó Conaire, Irish Officer, Galway City Council said that in a bilingual cityand a Gaeltacht Service Town, Galway City Council plays a role in people’s daily lives and experiences of services through Gaeilge. By creating a space where young people can participate in Irish, while also learning new skills on water, Galway Bay Sailing Club are creating a wonderful space for Gaeilge and for fun.”
Johnny Shorten, Training Centre Manager, Galway Bay Sailing Club, said this is our second year running these courses which are proving to be very popular.
“They are a great way for young people to experience sailing and water activities, while also brushing up on their Gaeilge and keeping it fresh over the summer break.
“Located just seven miles from Galway, our sailing club is renowned for the wide range of training programmes and events we host for participants of all ages”.
Applications are invited online – see www.GalwayCity.ie Apply by Sunday 10 May 2026. The draw will take place week commencing 11 May 2026. Read more about the Galway Bay Sailing Club Oral Irish Preparation courses at www.GBSC.ie Read full terms and conditions of the draw on www.GalwayCity.ie
