Press Release ========= Craobh Seán Treacy of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) is pleased to relaunch the “Aiste as Gaeilge” competition with a total prize fund of €1,700. In addition, the “DÚCHAS” Trophy sponsored by Craobh Seán Treacy, will be awarded in respect of the best overall entry. Launch of the Aiste as Gaeilge Competition
Craobh Seán Treacy of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) is pleased to relaunch the l Aiste as Gaeilge competition with a total prize fund of €1,700. In addition, the “DÚCHAS” Trophy, sponsored by Craobh Seán Treacy, will be awarded in respect of the best overall entry. Hundreds participated when this competition was organised by Craobh Seán Treacy a number of years ago. It is hoped that once again this competition will stimulate a huge interest amongst younger people in our heritage and especially the Irish language. Context
The competition is timely in view of the recent publication of the National ‘20 Year Strategy’ for Irish and the publication by Comhaltas of its own 3 year plan for the promotion of Irish. Foras na Gaeilge are supporting this initiative. Aims
The aims of the competition are to stimulate an interest among younger people in relevant aspects of folklore and our national heritage and in particular to nurture and promote greater use of Irish. Preferred Themes
Entries are invited under the 4 main aspects of our culture i.e. Music, Song, Dance and the Irish Language, which are directly related to the aims of Comhaltas. There will be an emphasis on locally based subjects. There is also a fifth category of “any subject of your choice” to facilitate as wide an entry as possible. Substantial Prize Fund
Prizes will be awarded in each of three categories, i.e. under 12, under 15 and under 18. Top prize is €250 and 17 other prizes ranging from €200 to €40 will be awarded. Closing Date and Presentation of Awards
The closing date for entries is the 16th December. The announcement and presentation of the awards will be held during Seachtain na Gaeilge in March 2012. Valuable Documentation of our Heritage for Archive
Entrants may submit additional supporting material such as photographs, sound and videos recordings, manuscripts, graphics, etc. In recognition of the archival value of much of the material to be submitted arrangements have been made for it to be retained in the CCÉ Archive where it may be accessed by the public. Further details are available from [www.seantreacycce.com](http://www.seantreacycce.com). ——- Essay Subjects / Prizes / Competition Rules =========================== Invitation
Young people are invited to participate in an Irish Essay Competition. Essay Subjects
Essays on local themes will be particularly welcome no matter what part of the world you live in. There will be an emphasis on information, presentation and on the Irish language. The themes are as follows – * Music – musicians, composers, tunes, music festivals, music collectors, history, instruments, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ), etc. * Singing – singers, history of songs, stories, style, lyrics, melodies, etc. * Dance – dancers, tutors, sean-nós dancing, set dancing, Riverdance, etc. * Language – folklore, literature, native speakers, words and figures of speech, the Gaeltacht and summer schools, the media, organisations promoting the Irish language, etc. * Any other subject of your choice!! Prizes Place | Under 18 | Under 15 | Under 12 — | — | — | — 1st | €250 | €200 | €100 2nd | €175 | €150 | €80 3rd | €125 | €100 | €60 |€75 x 2 | €55 x 2 | €40 x 5 The trophy “DÚCHAS” will be presented in respect of the best overall essay on the themes of music, singing, dance and language. The essays will be retained in the Archive of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and made available to the general public. Competition Rules * Send the handwritten essays (maximum of 1,200 words), together with your name, address and date of birth, to the Secretary, Craobh Seán Treacy, 6 Whitethorn Close, Dublin 5 before 16th December 2011. * Additional material in any medium may be submitted with your essay. * The essay must be your own work. In addition to the handwritten essay an electronic copy would be welcome to facilitate adjudication and also storage in the CCÉ Archive (send the electronic copy and any other appropriate material to [email protected]). * You must be under 12/15/18 on 1 January 2011. * Prizes will be awarded during Seachtain na Gaeilge in March 2012. Organised by Craobh Seán Treacy ([www.seantreacycce.com](www.seantreacycce.com)), CCÉ with the support of Foras na Gaeilge.