Sa mhír is déanaí den tsraith Alumni Spotlight de chuid Ollscoil Luimnigh, labhraímid le Gráinne Phelan a rinne staidéar ar Chorpoideachas agus Gaeilge in Ollscoil Luimnigh. Faoi láthair tá sí ag múineadh Corpoideachas agus Gaeilge i gColáiste Chollchoille, Contae Luimnigh, agus ag obair mar aicmitheoir idirnáisiúnta le le Snámh Parailimpeach Domhanda.
In the latest instalment of the University of Limerick Alumni Spotlight series we speak to Gráinne Phelan who studied PE and Irish at University of Limerick. Gráinne is now teaching PE and Irish in Hazelwood College, County Limerick, as well as working as an international classifier with World Para Swimming.
1. Abair linn píosa beag fút féin?
Rugadh agus tógadh mé i gcathair Luimnigh. D’fhreastail mé ar an mbunscoil An Mhodh Scoil agus ansin ar Laurel Hill Coláiste. Bhí an chuid is mó de m’oideachas déanta trí mheán na Gaeilge. Faoi láthair táim ag múineadh Corpoideachas agus Gaeilge i gColáiste Chollchoille, i gContae Luimnigh.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m from Ballinacurra Gardens in Limerick City. I attended An Mhodh Scoil primary school and Laurel Hill Coláiste so almost my entire education has been through the medium of Irish. I now teach in Hazelwood College, Co. Limerick and I’ve taken a keen interest in the new Leaving Certificate Physical Education (LCPE) subject.
2. Cad é an cúrsa léinn a ndearna tú staidéar air in OL, agus cén bhliain ar bhain tú an cúrsa sin amach?
Rinne mé staidéar ar Chorpoideachas agus Gaeilge in Ollscoil Luimnigh ó 2009-2013.
Ina dhiaidh sin rinne mé máistreacht “Erasmus Mundus” i nGníomhaíocht Choirp Oiriúnaithe. Mhair an cúrsa sin dhá bhliain i dtrí thír éagsúla. Tar éis an chéad bhliain i Leuven sa Bheilg, d’fhill mé ar ais go UL ar feadh seimeastar le linn an dara bliain den Mháistreacht i 2014 sula ndeachaigh mé chuig an Astráil chun mo thráchtas a dhéanamh.
2. What course did you study in UL, and what year did you graduate?
I studied the Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Gaeilge in UL from 2009-2013.
After that I did an Erasmus Mundus Masters in Adapted Physical Activity. That course was two years in three different countries. After the first year in Leuven, Belgium, I returned for a semester in UL during the second year of that master’s in 2014 before going to Brisbane to complete my thesis.
3. Cén fáth gur roghnaigh tú dul le cúrsa in Ollscoil Luimnigh?
Bhí sé ró-éasca Ollscoil Luimnigh a phiocadh agus na háiseanna den scoth in aice dorais.
Maidir leis an gcúrsa sa Chorpoideachas, is cúrsa a bhfuil dea-chlú agus dea-cháil ar timpeall na tíre. Bhí suim agam lean ar aghaidh le m’oideachas sa Ghaeilge freisin.
3. Why did you choose to study at University of Limerick?
It was a no brainer when it came to choosing UL as it was on my doorstep.
The Physical Education course is one of the most reputable in the country as well so I wanted to learn from the best. It also allowed me to continue with my education with Irish.
4. Cad iad na buaicphointí ba mhó a bhain le do chúrsa(í)?
Bhuail mé le leachtóirí a raibh paiseanta agus eolach faoin spórt agus gníomhaíocht choirp. Táim fós i dteangmháil le roinnt acu.
Freisin bhíos páirteach nuair a bhunaigh Daniel Tindall agus Brigitte Moody an grúpa aclaíochta “i-PLAY”. Bhí spéis agam sa ghníomhaíocht choirp oiriúnaithe faoin am sin agus bhain mé taitneamh is tairbhe as an ngrúpa sin.
Tá cairde den scoth agam fós ón gcúrsa freisin!
4. What were the highlights of your course/s?
I met a lot of lecturers that were very passionate and knowledgeable about sport and physical activity. I still meet some of them regularly through my various endeavours and it’s lovely to be able to chat away to them.
I was also part of the year group that participated in the “i-PLAY” programme when Daniel Tindall and Brigitte Moody established it. I was already so interested in adapted physical activity at this stage that I really benefitted from it. I’ve also made some lifelong friends too!
5. An bhfuil aon suíomh nó ionad ar leith ar an gcampas atá gar dod’ chroí?
Gan dabht, tá tábhacht ar leith ag baint leis an 50m linn snámha dom.
Rinne mé traenáil le Limerick Swimming Club ar feadh blianta. Is cuimhin liom an chéad uair a chonaic mé an linn snámha 50m tar éis é a thógáil. Thosaigh mé ag múineadh snámha ann ansin nuair a bhí mé san idirbhliain sa mheánscoil. As sin chaith mé na blianta fada ag obair mar mhúinteoir, mar gharda tarrthála agus mar theagascóir i sábháilteacht uisce.
Bím fós ag freastail ar an linn snámha sa lá atá inniu ann mar táim fós ag snámh leis The Limerick Masters Swimming Club. Le deanaí táim i mo bhall den Limerick Triathlon Club so beidh mé ag caitheamh níos mó ama arís ar an gcampus!
5. Are there any campus locations that hold special significance to you?
The UL Sport Arena and the 50m pool holds a very special significance to me.
I trained with Limerick Swimming Club for years and I remember the first time I saw the 50m pool after it was built. I then started teaching swimming in UL when I was in 4th year of secondary school. From there I spent many years working as a teacher, a lifeguard and a water safety instructor.
I still visit the pool weekly for training sessions with The Limerick Masters Swimming Club. I’ve also recently joined the Limerick Triathlon Club so hope to spend a lot more time around the campus!
6. Conas mar a d’ullmhaigh do chúrsa agus do chuid taithí ginearálta in Ollscoil Luimnigh tú don suíomh oibre?
Gan dabht bhí fiúntas ag baint leis an taithí oibre a bhí agam sa dara bhliain agus sa bhliain deireanach den chúrsa.
Chaith mé a lán ama ag pleanáil ceachtanna agus ansin ag déanamh macnaimh tar éis gach rang Corpoideachais nó Gaeilge. Ag féachaint siar, chruthaigh sé caighdeán an-ard dom maidir le bheith ag obair i scoil agus le daoine eile.
6. How did your course/s and your overall UL experience prepare you for entering the workplace upon graduating?
It was definitely a worthwhile experience to have had teaching practice in 2nd year and in 4th year of the course. I was lucky to get to do my 4th year teaching practice in Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh and have my teaching practice experience through Irish.
I spent so many hours doing lesson plans and then reflecting on all PE and Irish classes. In hindsight this definitely instilled a strong work ethic in me that I take into all my work today.
7. An bhfuil do chumas sa Ghaeilge ina bhuntáiste i do shaol gairmiúil?
Bhí bealach nó dhó a raibh mo chumas sa Ghaeilge ina bhuntáiste. Thug sé deis dom an cúrsa LCPE a cheartú le Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit trí Ghaeilge agus is taithí iontach é seo. Bím ag foghlaim foclóir nua gach bliain maidir leis an gcúrsa sa Chorpoideachas.
Táim ar choiste feidhmiúcháin Chumann Corpoideachais na hÉireann (PEAI) freisin agus tá ról mar runaí chúnta agam. Anois is arís cuidím le hacmhainní as Gaeilge a chur ar fáil do múinteoirí i ngaelscoileanna.
7. Has your career benefited from being a Gaeilgeoir?
There has been a few unexpected ways. It allowed me the opportunity to correct the LCPE course with the State Examinations Commission through Gaeilge which is a unique experience to have. I love being able to have the two subjects together like that.
I’m also on the Physical Education Association of Ireland (PEAI) executive committee as the assistant secretary. With Gaeilge I have contributed to making resources as Gaeilge available to all PE teachers.
8. Cén fáth go raibh sé tábhachtach duit deis a bheith agat an Ghaeilge a labhairt agus a staidéar?
I dtús báire, is cuid dár gcultúr agus ár n-oidhreacht é.
Tá grá agus meas agam don teanga. Mothaím bródúil as a bheith ábalta ár dteanga dúchais a labhairt agus gur thug sí an deis dom obair proifisiúnta a dhéanamh ag an am céanna. Táim dóchasach faoin teanga faoi láthair, go háirithe tar éis “the Kneecap effect” agus an rath a bhí ag scannáin éagsúla cosúl le “An Cailín Ciúin” le déanaí. Tá an podchraoladh “How to Gael” san áireamh anseo freisin.
8. Why was it important to you to speak and study Irish? What was the Irish language scene like in UL?
It’s such a huge part of our culture and history and it’s so unique to us. I’ve such love and respect for the language and it was important to have it woven through all aspects of my life, as well as my professional life.
It’s so amazing to see the revival happening with the language, especially with “the Kneecap effect” and the success of movies internationally like “An Chailín Ciúin”. The bilingual podcast “How to Gael” is worth mentioning here too.
9. Ar mhiste leat do stádas reatha gairmiúil a léiriú dúinn?
D’fhéadfadh sé seo a bheith ina fhreagra an-fhada!
Chomh maith le Corpoideachas agus an Ghaeilge a mhúineadh, ceartím tionscadail Chorpoideachais na hArdteistiméireachta agus an páipéar scríofa. Is múinteoir níos fearr mé sa seomra ranga de bharr an taithí seo. Freisin, d’fheabhsaigh sé mo scileanna ceannaireachta agus conas foireann bheag a bhainistiú. Tá go leor taithí faighte agam i mbeagán ama.
Lasmuigh den oideachas, d’fhorbair mé agus choinnigh mé suim ollmhór sa snámh. Le deanaí cháiligh mé mar theagascóir múinteoir snámha le Swim Ireland agus Water Safety Ireland. Ciallaíonn sé seo go múinim do dhaoine eile conas a bheith ina múinteoirí snámha. Meascann sé mo dhíograis agus paisean don oideachas agus snámh le chéile. Bhí an t-ádh orm freisin áit a fháil ar an gclár “Women in Sport Leadership” le Sport Ireland trí Swim Ireland cúpla bliain ar ais. Is breá liom tionscnaimh den chineál seo a thugann tacaíocht le mná sa spórt agus sa ghníomhaíocht choirp.
Táim fós ag traenáil le Club Snámha Luimnigh freisin i mo chuid am saor!
9. Could you update us on where you are now in your career?
This has the potential to be a very long answer!
As well as teaching PE and Gaeilge, I correct the Leaving Certificate Physical Education projects and written paper. This has really benefitted my teaching and learning in the classroom as well as my leadership skills and managing small teams. I’ve gained a lot of experience in a short amount of time.
Outside of education I developed and maintained a keen interest in swimming and I’ve now entered the world of tutoring. I qualified as a swim teacher tutor with Swim Ireland and Water Safety Ireland. This means I teach others learn to become swim teachers. It mixes my enthusiasm and passion for education and swimming together. I was also fortunate to get a spot on the Women in Sport Leadership programme through Swim Ireland a few years back. I love these kinds of initiatives to support women in sport and physical activity.
I still coach with Limerick Swimming Club too in my free time!
10. Luaigh buaicphointe gairmiúil éigin go dtí seo
Le linn mo chéim mháistreachta cuireadh aithne orm maidir le rangú. Is córas é seo chun tionchar lagaithe ar fheidhmíocht spóirt a laghdú.
Cinntíonn sé cothrom iomaíochta do dhaoine faoi mhíchumas. Cuireann sé lúthchleasaithe faoi mhíchumas den chineál céanna isteach sa ghrúpa céanna le haghaidh iomaíochta. Tá na córais an-difriúil ag gach spóirt.
Bhí an-suim agam láithreach sa chóras seo agus anois tá mé ar mo thuras féin mar aicmitheora sa snámh. Go simplí, déanaim tástálacha sonracha ar an snámhóir san uisce. Tá na torthaí sin tomhaiseadh i gcoinne lagaithe agus scileanna sa snámh.
Thug Parailimpeacha Éire isteach mé mar oiliúnaí ar dtús de réir mo chuid cáilíochtaí, agus ansin bhí mé cáilithe mar Aicmitheoir Náisiúnta. Ó shin, tá siad chomh tacúil dom ar an aistear seo, go háirithe mo chara Ana!
Cúpla mí roimh mo bhainis in 2023, chuaigh mé go dtí an Ríocht Aontaithe agus cháiligh mé mar “Aicmitheoir Idirnáisiúnta faoi Oiliúint” le World Para Swimming. Tá sé mar aidhm agam anois a bheith i m'aicmitheoir idirnáisiúnta iomlán agus an córas a chur i bhfeidhm ar lúthchleasaithe in imeachtaí ar fud an domhain.
Cuireann daoine an cheist orm go minic an raibh baint agam le rangú Róisín Ní Riain. Ach tá lagú súl uirthi, agus baineann mo chailaíochta le míchumas fisiceach sa snámh.
Tá aithne mhaith agam ar Róisín le fada an lá, áfach, ón uair a thosaigh sí ag foghlaim snámh in Ollscoil Luimnigh agus ansin nuair a bhí sí i gClub Snámha Luimnigh. Ar ndóigh, buailim léi anois ar fud Luimnigh agus ag imeachtaí Para Domhanda Idirnáisiúnta. Is breá liom í féin agus a teaghlach a fheiceáil ag baint taitnimh as a rath. Is eiseamláir agus ambasadóir iontach í do dhaoine óga, don snámh agus don tír.
Thaistil mé go dtí na Parailimpeacha i bPáras ar feadh deireadh seachtaine mar lucht féachana agus bhain mé taitneamh as gach soicind. Go háirithe nuair a bhuail mé le roinnt d'fhoireann Parailimpeacha na hÉireann agus am saor acu.
10. What has been a career highlight so far?
During my Master’s degree in Adapted Physical Activity I was introduced to classification. Classification in para-sports is a system used to minimise the impact of an athlete’s impairment on their sports performance. So, it ensures fair competition for people with disabilities by putting athletes with similar disabilities into the same group for competition. The systems are very different and unique across all sports.
I was immediately fascinated by this and have since started my own journey as a classifier in the swimming world. Briefly, I conduct specific tests on the athlete in the water and then measure that against their impairment and swimming.
My qualifications in sport and swim coaching were the first steps on board. Paralympics Ireland took me in as a trainee at first, and then a National Classifier. Since then, they have been so supportive to me on this journey, especially my friend Ana!
Only a couple of months before my wedding in 2023, I went to the UK and qualified as a “Trainee International Classifier” with World Para Swimming. My aim now is to become a full international classifier and apply the system to athletes in events all over the world.
A lot of people ask me nowadays if I was involved with Róisín Ní Riain’s classification. But she has a visual impairment, and my area of expertise is with physical disabilities and swimming.
I’ve known Róisín Ní Riain a very long time though, from when she first started to learn to swim in UL and then while in Limerick Swimming Club. Of course, now I do meet her around Limerick as well as at International World Para events. I love seeing her and her family enjoying her successes. She is a wonderful role model and ambassador for young people, swimming, and Ireland.
I did travel to the Paralympics in Paris for a weekend as a spectator and enjoyed every second, especially when I met some of the Paralympics Ireland staff on their down time.