My Guide to the Gaeltacht. (Pearls of Wisdom #2)

Okay, I feel like I should do a post about things you need for the Gaeltacht. I went to the Gaeltacht for the first time over last Summer, and I definitely over-packed, so probably could have done with a post such as this. For those of you who haven't a clue what I'm on about, the Gaeltacht is a region in the West of Ireland where the majority of people speak our Native tounge, Irish (Gaeilge) instead of English, which was  the language I and the majority of the Irish people who live in the East were brought up speaking.
So, teenagers from all over the country go there every Summer for two-three week courses in which we improve our Irish. (Because we aren't allowed to speak anything else!) So for the newbies and first timers who are wandering to the Gaeltacht this year and haven't a clue what to bring, and/or are stressed about going, here are some tips which I could have used before over-packing and making a complete plonker out of myself. Without further ado I give you Tiffy's guide to the Gaeltacht...

One of my bags for the Gaeltacht :/

Be a cailìn nò buachaill, ready for all seasons. Bring clothes for all kinds of weather! You could get lucky and have three weeks of scorching sun, but equally you could get buckets of rain. Let's face it, you're not leaving Ireland so you could experience all four seasons in one day so just act like a Scout and BE PREPARED!
But don't overpack like I did. If you have more than one large suitcase which you would use on an abroad holiday, you've gone too far. If like me you have a gym bag as well as suitcase, I think you need to prioritize. I know you want to bring the kitchen sink, but believe me you don't need it!!

This brings me on to what you defo do need. As I mentioned in an earlier post I shared a house with 15 other girls! Whilst sharing a house with 15 other peeps to borrow clothes from is fun, sharing one bathroom is not. Showers were once every two days max, so I advise to bring good make-up wipes and dry shampoo to keep yourself feeling fresh on the day you don't get to have a shower, if what happens to me happens to you.
Cèilìs are sweaty business believe me! That reminds me, a good deodorant that you can store in your bag, believe me people will be asking for it all day. Another good idea is bug spray, as the Irish wet and warm Summers do attract the midgets, especially in the evening walking home from the Colàiste. Also Gaeltacht houses tend to be very old, with minimum sockets so save yourself the arguments over who gets to plug their hairdryer in first before going out by bringing a 4 or 5 socket adapter.
This will be the best thing you've brought! Check the rules, are mobile phones, ipods, books and magazines allowed?  You don't want these confiscated!

My other bag :/

Fancy Dress is pretty much guaranteed so prepare cùpla costumes in advance (but not so many that your suitcase is filled with things you can only wear to themed cèilìs!) Think rainbow colours, 70's disco and face paint is extremely helpful in any fancy dress situation.

If you play an instrument, defo bring it if you want a chance to show off your skills. There are plenty of opportunities to use it so again if you can fit it and want to bring it do!

If your going without a friend, please don't worry! After three weeks you'll have tons of cairde nua so bring your camera to snap pics and freeze frame all the deadly, cringey, hilarious moments and share the delight on Facebook (Aghaidh-Leabhar) when you get back! (PS don't forget the charger!)

My best friend.

Now for the boring stuff, you'll defo need a copy, one pen at least, and a foclòir is alway handy! Maybe bring an extra pen in case you lose the first :) Bring stamped envelopes, to write letters home and bring a nice copy for your new friends to write messages and contact details in on the last day.

There's always room for a bit of romance at the Gaeltacht, but my advice is don't go looking for it or expecting it. Keep it discreet if you do meet someone as long-distance relationships can be tough and you don't want everyone in the Gaeltacht crying over how Romeo and Juliet will hardly ever see each other again because one lives in Cork and the other in Donegal!

Um not quite...

Second to last, bug your family and friends in to writing as often as possible, because it's the best feeling in the world to hear 'Laura you've got post!'. It's like Hogwarts or something. If you're worried about being homesick, don't. It's pointless, and let's face it you're going to be stuck with that family you've been crying over in the Gaeltacht ALL SUMMER. You'll be dying to stay by the end! Bring a photo or a teddy if that will make you feel better.

Lastly the most important thing is... Try. Try not to speak English, it's the reason you're at the Gaeltacht in the first place. After a couple of days it's not so hard. You'll be thinking in Irish! Even if it's in the bathroom or bedroom and there are no Cinnires around, don't succumb to the Bèarla. Trust me you'll be miles better of if you try to spend the whole three weeks speaking as Gaeilge! Also speaking as Bèarla might throw other people off and their 'immersion process' ruined. So if in doubt just don't do it. Write it down and rip it up or something. Try to keep an open attitude, even if you hate Irish and your parents are forcing you to go, don't waste the experience, don't sulk or moan. Don't torture other people who just want to spend three weeks having good craic.

Enjoy x

So enjoy and just remember, it's three weeks, even if it's not your thing you can survive it. You're not in the celebrity jungle, your not on survivor, so man up and get to it. And ENJOY IT! Sorry did I already say that? Ah well. Anywho, if you have any questions about the Gaeltacht my dearies, I would be delighted to answer 'em and such. Sorry about the fadas being the wrong way! So until next time x