Tipperary's Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire welcomed back past pupil RTÉ’s Aindriú de Paor

RTÉ 2FM presenter Aindriú de Paor received a Céad Míle Fáilte from the pupils of his old primary school – Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire - when he visited the school in his role as a national ambassador for Seacthain na Gaeilge.

Aindríú, who grew up in Marian Avenue in Carrick-on-Suir, returned to his alma mater to spread the word of how the Irish language has enriched his life and opened doors for him in the competitive world of radio broadcasting.

The 28-year-old broadcaster was one of three national ambassadors of this year’s Seachtain na Gaeilge, the two-week long festival celebrating the Irish language. His fellow ambassadors were Gráinne Seoige and social media personality Kayleigh Trappe.

Aindriú is very passionate about Irish, which he describes as a “poetic language”. Returning to his former primary school during Seachtain na Gaeilge was his way of giving something back to the place where his love of our native language wast first fostered.

“I let the children know how lucky I was to have Irish in my life; how it opened up many opportunities for me,” he told The Nationalist.

He talked to the Gaelscoil students about his memories of attending Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire and his journey to becoming a radio broadcaster.

He continued his education through Irish at Gaelcholaiste Cheitinn in Clonmel and went on to study Communications and Irish at NUI Galway. He first dipped his toes in broadcasting at NUI Galway’s student radio station.

After graduating, he volunteered at the Dublin based Irish language radio station Raidió na Life before going to RTE Radio na Gaeltachta and from there moved to RTE Pulse. The progressed to RTE Sport and 2FM where he is now a cover presenter on a range of weekday and weekend shows.

Aindriú, who is son of Susie Power and Jimmy Gilman, said being billingual in Irish and English opened a lot of doors to him to learn the ropes in broadcasting and get airtime.

“I wouldn’t have been in a place to get lucky if I didn't have the Irish to get me in the door. I owe the language a lot.”

He said he wanted to thank all at Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire for the education he received at the school.
Aindriú also spoke to the students about how cool and poetic the Irish language is with pop stars like Ed Sheeran even bringing out a song in the language.

And he highlighted to them how the language tells you a lot about our history such as the origins and roots of our place names.

His return to his old school was filled with nostalgia as it was his first time back there since he left 16 years ago.

He started at Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire in 2000 when the school was just in its third year.

When he started in Junior Infants, the school was still based in its first temporary premises on Greystone Street. He remembers the move to its current location on the grounds of Carrick United FC at Coolnamuck.

The school has grown a lot since Aindriú was a pupil there. He said it was great to see the Irish language flourishing at the school and that its student numbers are continuing to grow.

And he is delighted that work is underway on its permanent home at the former St Joseph’s College site in Carrick.

During Aindriú's visit, the school’s young traditional musicians performed for him and he recalled learning the tinwhistle during his student days.

He also met some of his former schoolmates. Five members of the teaching staff are past pupils and Aindriú was in school with three of them. Teacher Aaron Ó’hAllúráin and Aindriú were in the same class.

After speaking to the Gaelscoil pupils, Aindriú popped over to Carrick-on-Suir Library where a Seachtain na Gaeilge Tráth na gCeist (table quiz) organised by Conradh na Gaeilge for local schools was taking place. He presented the prize to the winning team from Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire.

Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire Principal Linda Nic an Bháird said everyone at the school was so proud of Aindriú and so happy he came to visit them.

Linda remembers him as a quiet, hard working and sunny child and to see him now on national radio and an ambassador for Seahtain na Gaeilge was amazing.

She pointed out that Aindriú came from a family that weren’t Irish speakers.

“That is the message we try to get across to families reluctant to send their children to a gaelscoil because they haven’t gaeilge. You don’t need gaeilge, all you need is the right attitude.”

Aindriú, meanwhile, encouraged anyone interested in improving their Irish to take small steps like listening to radio broadcasts or watching programmes on TG4 with the sub-titles.

He said there is a weekly Irish conversation gathering in Marty’s Pantry’s in Carrick-on-Suir organised by Conradh na Gaeilge.

“It has never be easier to try Irish out. Give it a go.”

Caption for photo below: Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire's traditional musicians performed for RTÉ 2FM broadcaster and past pupil Aindriú de Paor when he visited the school as an ambassador of Seachtain na Gaeilge. Aindriú is pictured far left standing behind the musicians. Pictures Anne Marie Magorrian