Laura to bring added visibility to Irish language

A young Longford lady believes her educational journey shows the opportunities presented for education through the medium of Irish, despite not attending a Gaelscoil herself.

Laura Pakenham from Lisryan recently finished her third level education, and is about to embark on an exciting career journey: “I graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a Bachelor of Education through the medium of Irish. This is a new course introduced in 2019, which means I'm one of 34 people in the country to achieve this degree in the history of the State.”

Laura's qualification helped her land a role in TG4's education department: “I work in schools and universities around the country promoting the language and drawing attention to TG4's work to encourage learners to engage with the language.”
The Lisryan lady believes that her career course highlights the possibilities presented by our native language: “It shows the opportunities within the Irish language community for those who don't come from the Gaeltacht or from an Irish-speaking background.

I attended n all-English primary schools and secondary schools; Lismacaffrey National School and Cnoc Mhuire, Granard.”
Longford is not a county known for its Gaeltacht regions. Such an encumbrance did not put Laura off her educational path.

“I knew from a young age that my passions and strengths lied in education and I wished to pursue my journey with the Irish language formally in third level education,” she told the Leader, “When the Bachelor of Education through the medium of Irish was announced in 2019, I decided it would be the perfect combination of my interests.”

Having landed the course the next step was developing it into a career: “I've always been fascinated by the world of media and with my specialism in the Irish language, TG4 was a life-long dream workplace. I feel lucky to have entered into a role within the company at such an early point in my career and at a young age.”

Laura explained that her grá for Irish developed over time: “I wouldn't say that I had a particular love for the Irish language in a broader sense growing up, however it was a subject that I had a natural flare for throughout primary and secondary school and so I worked hard at it and achieved a high standard in the language, both written and orally.
“My turning point was doing a summer course in Connemara as a teenager and that was when the flame of love for the language itself, as opposed to the subject, was ignited,” she said.
Although our indigenous language is in a healthy condition Laura says there are still areas that need to be addressed: “I believe the circumstances surrounding the state of the language in the country have come on leaps and bounds over the last number of years, however there's still a lot of work to do, particularly in the Midlands.

“There is a pressing need for a Gaelcholáiste, all-Irish secondary school, in the Midlands so that those who complete their primary education through Irish can continue to flourish in that learning environment and positively influence the mindsets of those around them in regards to the language.”
Such developments would have wider implications: “I understand that dedicating your life, education or work to the language won't be for everyone, but I believe that if we can unanimously share a sense of respect and a positive outlook on the language, we'll start to see amazing developments as a nation.”

Laura says her new role will see her return to Longford: “I absolutely intend to visit both secondary and primary schools in Longford to speak to students and teachers personally about my journey with the language, but also on behalf of TG4 Foghlaim in regards to the work we are doing to support and encourage learners, students and teachers.

“I aim to bring added visibility to the language in the Midlands and tell a success story of someone from Longford who attended all-English schools and now works for TG4.
“When I was in Leaving Cert, five years ago, I could have never imagined the point I'd be at in my life and in my career nor my achievements with the language, and I want to spread that positivity and my love for the language,” she concluded.