Press
Inspirational and celebratory day for the young people and educators who participate in the TechSpace Programme
TECHFÉILE 2018
01.05.18
The first TechFéile event, took place at Limerick School of Art & Design on Friday 27 April 2018. The event centres around the Camara Ireland TechSpace Programme, which is aimed at encouraging creativity and technology among young Gaeltacht and Gaelscoileanna students. It was organised in association with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and TG4, as a celebration of Bliain na Gaeilge.
Over 200 Students, from Gaeltacht Schools and Gaelscoileanna, from around Ireland took part in the event, to celebrate creativity through technology.
Workshops took place on a variety of topics across media and technology. Media workshops included Weather Workshops with TG4, Sports Commentary with Nemeton, Acting with Fíbín; Re-voicing Animation with Telegael, and Mojo with Nuacht TG4. STEM Workshops on the day included, Circuit building with Moonfish, Programming with GráTek and how to create a Hologram. Students attending also had an opportunity to try VR and Oculus Rift as well as 3D printing. Entertainment on the day was provided by the bands KILA and TOGRA.
The TechSpace programme has been running for 3 years under the auspices of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. https://www.techspace.ie/clartechspace
Alan Esslemont, Director General of TG4 says that “supporting the development of new talent and stimulating creativity in youth is an integral part of the TG4 strategy. TechSpace is a fantastic project that supports creativity and communication skills with the young people taking part. Who knows maybe some of those who are taking part today will develop future proposals for TG4.”
Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh, T.D. stated: “I am very proud of this event, TechFéile 2018, which is being funded by my Department for the first time this year. TechFéile 2018 has a great deal of importance and is a great opportunity in the way that the proposal allows young people to develop their imagination and creativity and to put the Irish language on display. Technology has a great deal of power in our everyday lives and this demonstrates the interest of teenagers in technology and they are very comfortable in the digital era in which we live today. So I am delighted that this proposal is having a huge impact on young people and putting the Irish language on an equal footing with English.”