The author, holding forth.

On June 28 and 29 the first annual Gaelscoil—Irish for school—was run by AOH Mercer County Division 10 at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, N.J. The successful program closed with its students learning about Irish football from the Delaware County Youth GFC players and coaches, and then giving it a go themselves.

The school was the brainchild—maybe I can say the "dream"—of Mick McCabe, AOH Division 10's treasurer and native of County Leitrim, in the fall of 2007. Seven months and countless hours of planning, frustrations and meetings later, those of us who were lucky enough to be on the task force to make "the dream come true" stood beaming like any parents of a newborn.

First of all, the Gaelscoil had the backing of Division 10, whose president John Walsh said, "We have 50-50s, beef and beers, golf tournaments, all of which raise money, but none of which promote Irish culture and that is what the purpose of an Irish-American Organization should be. Division 10 is committed to making this youth school our signature annual event."

The two-day school, which offered classes in music, geography, history, storytelling, language, and sports, was successful not only because of the committee’s hard work but also because of the help and generosity of many others:

• The York (that’s right—York, Pennsylvania!) St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee lent us their three- by five-foot county flags which, hanging from the fluorescent lights in the high school cafeteria, added immensely to the opening ceremonies and to the lunch period discussions.
• George Zienowicz, of the music group Na Bodach, contributed a professional “Gaelsoil” entrance sign, which was placed at the entrance to Notre Dame HS.
• Notre Dame High School Administration graciously donated the use of the school and its grounds.
• Patty Walsh provided scone for the opening ceremony, which included a parent welcoming and information session, and darned if some of it didn’t find its way to my home.
• The DeNogla Irish Dance School, whose local teacher Joanne Connell, daughter of a Division 10 officer, scheduled her recital so it would be part of the school.
• Daltaí na Gaeilge sent three teachers to conduct a wonderful Irish language session.
• Damien Butler, director of the Delaware County Youth GFC, responded to a last-minute call, and made several of his coaches and players available for a great sports session.
• John McKenna, a fitness instructor and football camp director, provided the knowledge to meet all the state and local requirements and then volunteered to be the Gaelscoil director.
• And there were some monetary sponsorships for both specific and general costs from McCabe Concrete, CCC Celt and Niall Brady.

So, what was offered? After the opening ceremony, the students followed their monitor to their first music class. Mark Carroll and his son Tim, who is a high school music teacher, went through the history of the Irish harp, the fiddle, bodhran and Irish pipes, all the while playing these instruments.

The second session was Irish geography, conducted by former New Jersey AOH President and present Division 1 member Jim McFarland. Jim gave a PowerPoint presentation which even made the students realize why Ireland is so foggy.

After lunch, included in the cost and accompanied by Irish music and the county flags, period 3 was Irish history taught by Tom Slattery (that be me). The day closed out with the Irish dance recital and a return to the cafeteria to await parent pickup.

With all the recital attendees there, it became an impromptu Irish party.

On Day 2, the students arrived in their school T-shirts, which really seemed to make them feel like a team. The first period was language. What a well thought-out and prepared session the three members of Daltai presented. One, a teacher herself, took the five youngest students into a separate room. When I stopped in they were all laughingly engaged in a game of Irish bingo. The second session was split between myself, who realized that storytelling for 75 minutes could result in outright student rebellion, and balladeer Tom Glover. By the end of his session, Tom, a magic man with children, had them all singing. After lunch, the Ferricks—Marty and son Ian—gave a lecture on the highland pipes, along with several magnificently played pieces, including a few original compositions by Ian, a competing piper.

Again, we realized ahead of time that 75 minutes was too long, so after 45 minutes, the class reassembled for a continuation of Irish history.

At 2 p.m. they headed outside with a case of ice water to their intro to Irish football, a great way to end the school on a high note for the students and an ice pack session for some of the monitors, who forgot their advancing years.

Congratulations to the committee who worked tirelessly from December to make this event a success. Members included:

• Mick McCabe, who should probably be dubbed "The Founder."
• Don Carroll, whose constant questioning kept us asking questions, and who prepared and e-mailed notes of every meeting.
• Jim McFarland, who brought the “we will be successful” attitude with him.
• Jerry Maguire, who got permission to use the incredible Notre Dame facility and whose intimate knowledge of the school enabled us to prepare for its use. Jerry would attend meetings during his evening meal break with hoagie in tow.
• John McKenna, who brought years of experience in running successful camps with him. We accomplished more the first meeting John was able to attend than we had in the previous four meetings.
• John Walsh, president of Division 10, who represented the division well, especially during the school itself;
• And finally, me, an alien from Pennsylvania brought in because of my education background and years of involvement with the Trenton organizations.

Me, I don’t know what I will do with my Tuesday nights after six or so months rotating between Billy Briggs' Tir na nOg, McManimon’s Pub and Notre Dame High School. I do know we are planning meeting to determine what we did right, what we could improve on, and how to make the Second Annual Gaelscoil even more successful.

Several adults from other organizations have asked if we could provide one of these for adults. Look for further developments.

For me, personally, this project was one of the most rewarding ones with which I have been involved and for this, I thank Division 10.

For more information or to inquire on being a contributor and/or sponsor, please contact Mercer County AOH Division 10 at http://www.aohdiv10.org/ or 609 587-3208. While this is not a money-making endeavor, there are costs involved—insurance, facility (if we have to move), honorariums, advertising, and teachers' costs down the road.

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