Irish Language and Hip-Hop ‘Spark’ Innovative Rap Workshops in Knocknaheeny

5 Jul 2024

The Kabin Studios – the minds behind the summer’s viral hit ‘The Spark’ – have joined forces with a community partnership  to host an exciting series of Irish language rap workshops for second-level students from the Knocknaheeny area

The Kabin Studios – the minds behind the summer’s viral hit ‘The Spark’ – have joined forces with a community partnership  to host an exciting series of Irish language rap workshops for second-level students from the Knocknaheeny area. 

The Barr na gCnoc Summer Camp ran from the 1st to the 5th of July offering participants an innovative way to engage with the Irish language through music and creativity. 

Barr na gCnoc, a HEA-funded community partnership led by Professor Pádraig Ó Macháin from Ionad na Gaeilge Labhartha at University College Cork (UCC), in collaboration with Terence MacSweeney Community College, Knocknaheeny, aims to empower the local youth by integrating academic and cultural resources. 

In collaboration with Principal Phil O’Flynn, the initiative addresses the community's demand for educational diversity in an area facing significant socio-economic challenges. By establishing an Aonad Lán-Ghaeilge, where all subjects are taught through Irish, Barr na gCnoc fosters a comprehensive Irish language education from the first year to the Leaving Certificate. 

Fresh from the global success of “The Spark”, The Kabin Studios bring their expertise in music production to the summer camp. The workshops will be facilitated by Garry McCarthy (GMC Beats), Séamus Barra Ó Súilleabháin, The Kabin tutors, and UCC students. Participants will be guided through the process of writing and recording raps as Gaeilge, enhancing their language skills and allowing them to creatively express themselves. 

“The rap workshops showed the students that Irish is more than just a school subject – it's a living language. They really enjoyed the experience and their communication skills in the language improved immensely” said Alannah, one of the tutors from UCC. Student feedback was also incredibly positive, with all students wishing to participate in the summer camp again. 

“The initiative underscores the importance of culturally relevant language learning and community engagement. By embedding the Irish language into students' hobbies and interests, the program aims to provide a sense of belonging and confidence. The workshops offer a rare opportunity for local youth to use Irish in a social setting, beyond the confines of the classroom,” Prof Ó Macháin said. 

For more on this story contact:

Adel Coleman

Project Manager, Barr na gCnoc, Centre for Spoken Irish

E: adel.coleman@ucc.ie