2002 Immersion Weekend

Fàilte gu Richmond! (Welcome to Richmond!)

An Comunn Gàidhealach - America (ACGA) hosts the 6th Annual Immersion Weekend presenting the best and largest array of Gaelic teachers available in North America. Join us Friday, May 24 through Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2002 at the beautiful Roslyn Center, the Virginia Episcopal Diocesan Conference Center, overlooking the scenic James River in Richmond, Virginia for a fun, inspiring and challenging weekend. To register see the Registration Information page.

The Immersion weekend is an exceptional opportunity for learners and speakers of Scottish Gaelic to come together to celebrate the heritage and strive to learn the language and the culture of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Classes are structured to meet the needs of those who are just beginning their Gaelic study as well as others who are intermediate students or approaching fluency. With five different levels of classes, our internationally noted teachers will cover material for all levels of learners. The weekend will also provide extended opportunities for more proficient students and native speakers to gather and enjoy Gaelic conversation.

Extracurricular activities, including a social mixer on Friday night, a Saturday night cèilidh and a Sunday evening "Celtic Gathering", will fill the weekend with singing, dancing, music, great food and good times.

We hope everyone can stay for the long weekend (since it is a holiday), but if that is not possible, the weekend classes and workshops will be structured for those who have to leave on Sunday. That option is available on the registration form. Please refer to the "Cìsean" (Fees) section for more details.

A tutor CD and booklet of Basic Gaelic Phrases for Beginners is available for only $10. (Please see the registration form.)
 

Cuid Oidche (Rooms and Meals)

Lodging will be in the Ross and Hall Lodges and in the Goodwin dormitory at Roslyn. The Lodge rooms are lovely, hotel-style rooms (double occupancy only) overlooking the James River with private baths. The dormitory rooms are double occupancy with hall baths. A limited number of dormitory rooms are available for single occupancy for an additional charge (see Registration Form). Linens and daily room service are provided. The nicest rooms will be assigned first and in the order registrations are received so register early! Meals will be buffet style in the dining room. Any special dietary concerns can be accommodated. Please let us know by note with your registration.
 

Cìsean (Fees)

The Immersion Weekend will begin on Friday afternoon, May 24, 2002 and extend through early afternoon on Monday, Memorial Day, May 27, 2002. Room and board for three nights begins with dinner on Friday through lunch on Monday. The fee for the full weekend includes room (double occupancy, linens included), meals and learning materials. A shorter weekend option is available for those who wish to stay only through Sunday afternoon. ACGA members receive a member-only discount so make sure to join or renew to get the discounted price. Early registration is encouraged to avoid a late fee (accessed after May 5).
 

Siubhal (Travel)

Travel information and other details will be sent upon receipt of registration and fees. For those traveling by air we recommend Richmond International Airport (RIC).
 

Luchd Teagaisg (The Teachers)

Beathag Mhoireasdan was born in Uige on the Isle of Lewis and is a multi-talented native Gaelic speaker. She has been involved in many aspects of the Gaelic arts, from singing to acting, writing scripts to creating children's books. She is a regular summer program teacher at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. She is currently living in Glasgow.

David Livingston-Lowe is a fluent Gaelic and Irish speaker and teacher from Toronto and a popular Immersion Weekend teacher. He holds a degree in Celtic Studies from the University of Toronto where he teachers Gaelic and is involved in efforts to promote the Gaelic language. He has studied at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic College in Cape Breton and An Ceathramh.

Muriel Fisher is a native of Skye and currently lives in Arizona where she teaches Gaelic through her Tucson Gaelic Institute and at the University of Arizona. She is also a feature correspondent with BBC Alba and writes for Fios: The North Lewis Weekly. Muriel also teaches during the summers at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.

Richard Hill has been immersing himself in Gaelic since his childhood. He has been a central figure in the flourishing Gaelic community of Slighe nan Gàidheal in Seattle since 1982, where he teaches Gaelic classes and workshops, shares Gaelic folklore and inspires other learners. He has studied in Scotland and Nova Scotia.

Sìne McKenna studied Gaelic at St. Francis Xavier University and then moved to Scotland, where she lived for 18 years. While living on Skye and working at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, she help start the first Gaelic playgroups. Since returning to Canada, she is revitalizing Gaelic in Glengarry, Ontario, especially through song and drama with children. She also teaches Gaelic in Montreal and Ottawa.

(Teacher roster is subject to change if necessary.)
 

Clàr-Ùine (Schedule)

The Venue

Roslyn Conference Center sets on 150 scenic acres on the James River, two miles west of Richmond. Facilities offer air-conditioned rooms with daily room service, double occupancy with limited singles (extra charge). During free time, enjoy the spring-fed outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, nature trails, volleyball and horseshoe pits.