Snámh le Spraoi

Inspiring young learners by placing Irish at the heart of swimming lessons; a two‑week upskilling course that builds the confidence of qualified swimming instructors to teach through Irish.

Steps Start this idea

Snámh le Spraoi is a practical and sustainable initiative that strengthens both language ability and teaching skills among swimming instructors already working in sports centres.

The initiative is grounded in the Irish‑language commitments of the Dublin City Council Sports Plan 2024–2029.
The strategy focuses on a systemic solution: instead of providing short‑term funding, we invest in training existing instructors to create a continuous, empowered pipeline of Irish‑medium teaching.

A two‑week Irish‑language course was delivered to qualified staff, with a clear emphasis on practical learning in the pool, rather than classroom‑based instruction.

Each participant receives recognition to teach:

fully through Irish, or
bilingually (primarily in English with natural Irish phrases integrated).

Irish‑medium classes were added to the regular timetable, and 98% of participants chose to remain in the Irish‑medium classes rather than move to English‑medium ones. This success created demand for further Irish‑medium courses, such as Pilates through Irish.

The initiative now provides 300 Irish‑language speaking opportunities every week (20 participants × 15 classes). The scheme is sustainable, scalable and cost‑effective.

For more information and inspiration: see the 5‑Step Guide.

How-to Guide

Follow these steps to successfully launch your programme

A specialist with expertise in both education and swimming is required to teach instructors the necessary skills.

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Snámh le Spraoi

Inspiring young learners by placing Irish at the heart of swimming lessons; a two‑week upskilling course that builds the confidence of qualified swimming instructors to teach through Irish.

Steps Start this idea

Snámh le Spraoi is a practical and sustainable initiative that strengthens both language ability and teaching skills among swimming instructors already working in sports centres.

A two‑week Irish‑language course was delivered to qualified staff, with a clear emphasis on practical learning in the pool, rather than classroom‑based instruction.

Each participant receives recognition to teach:

fully through Irish, or
bilingually (primarily in English with natural Irish phrases integrated).

The initiative now provides 300 Irish‑language speaking opportunities every week (20 participants × 15 classes). The scheme is sustainable, scalable and cost‑effective.

For more information and inspiration: see the 5‑Step Guide.

How-to Guide

Follow these steps to successfully launch your programme

A specialist with expertise in both education and swimming is required to teach instructors the necessary skills.

Related Ideas

Explore more programmes that might interest you

Féile na bhFéidearthachtaí
Providing a platform for new ideas around public services through Irish, inspiring long‑term, everyday use of the language.
Communities & FamiliesStaff
Na Doirse Oscailte
Bringing Irish to life outside the classroom through play and games for newly arrived children in Ireland.
Communities & FamiliesYouth
Fáilte Fite Fuaite
A community festival creating over 3,000 opportunities to use Irish by bringing newly arrived learners and the wider public together to celebrate and practise the language.
Arts & CultureCommunities & Families
Díolúine
Teenagers with exemptions from Irish creating music through Irish.
Arts & CultureCommunities & Families

View all programmes

Snámh le Spraoi

How-to Guide

Find a Teacher

Recruit Instructors

The Course

Accreditation

Feedback

Related Ideas

Snámh le Spraoi

How-to Guide

Find a Teacher

Recruit Instructors

The Course

Accreditation

Feedback

Related Ideas