Naíonra Ghleann Maghair

Trí Ghaeilge ó aois a trí

Irish from the very first morning

Naíonra Ghleann Maghair is a sessional, Irish-medium playgroup for children aged 3 to 5, meeting each weekday morning at Glanmire GAA Club in Sallybrook. Every session runs almost entirely as Gaeilge — through play, song, story and the everyday routines of the morning — so children pick up the language the way they picked up their first words: by hearing it, living in it, and using it to get things done.

The room follows the HighScope plan–do–review approach alongside Ireland's Aistear framework, meaning children choose much of their own activity and adults follow their lead. Families don't need any Irish themselves — the naíonra has welcomed children from Irish-speaking, English-speaking and mixed homes since it was established in 2003.

Twenty-two children, one room, and a full morning spent playing, building and talking — entirely as Gaeilge.