Stoneyford National School taking the Irish language to their hearts - Kilkenny Live

Students from Stoneyford National School are to be presented with a Gaelbhratach (Irish flag) in the coming weeks after various activities to promote the use of the Irish language were set up and run by the student committee in the school.

Run by Gael Linn, Gaelbhratach is a national initiative that encourages primary and secondary school students to speak Irish outside of the formal classroom setting. In total, 72 flags will be awarded to primary school students across Ireland, the most awarded in any one year.

Flags are awarded in recognition of their efforts to inspire and empower their school communities to speak Irish.

Speaking at a recent awards ceremony, Edel Ní Bhraonáin, Bainisteoir Gaelbhratach commented: "We are delighted to award primary school students from Kilkenny with a Gaelbhratach.

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"Gaelbhratach gives young people of all backgrounds the opportunity to use and develop their Irish language skills in an interactive and non-traditional way. The programme aims to put the student voice at the centre of their learning through the Gaelbhratach committee," she said.

"The role of this student-led committee is to direct the Gaelbhratach activities throughout the school year - empowering students in Kilkenny to take ownership of how and when they use their Irish," Ní Bhraonáin added.