Some places are still being offered on the Diploma in Arts course being run by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain, An Cheathrú Rua, Co.Galway. A series of interviews will take place on the 31st of August, for those applying for the course, which is due to start on the 7th of September.

The course is suitable for journalists, broadcasters and others who are working with a radio station at present or are dealing with broadcasting through Irish or wish to improve their skills through Irish.

This is the fourth year the Dioplóma i Scileanna Raidió (Diploma in Radio Skills) is being offered, a one-year, full-time course which covers a wide range of subjects including: journalism and broadcasting skills; sound and radio production and postproduction; ethics and law; and personal communication skills.

The main tutors of the course are journalists Norita Ní Chartúir and Uinsionn Mac Dubhghaill, Norita Ní Chartúir has many years of experience as a broadcaster with RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and Uinsionn Mac Dubhghaill has experience as Irish Language Editor of The Irish Times and as a journalist with TG4.

During the course, great emphasis is placed on practical skills, with the aim of preparing the students for employment in the radio sector, be it in front of the microphone as presenters or behind the desk as technicians or producers.

Nora Ní Chartúir, course co-ordinator siad: "The employment opportunities in the Irish language communications sector have undergone great development in recent years. There is a great demand for people who have the appropriate skills in broadcasting and sound, as well as technical skills, from organisations like RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, TG4, Telegael, Abú Media and many other radio stations and production companies. In total, there are about 40 radio stations broadcasting in Ireland and, accordingly, those who do the course have various types of work opportunities".

Graduates of the course include Gemma Ní Chionnaith, of RTÉ RnaG's Anocht FM fame who will be visible on our screens as a presenter on a TG4 talent show "Glas Vegas" in the coming months and Nóra Ní Ghríofa, a native from Galway and a graduate from last year's diploma course has recently commenced worked in the newsrooms in RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. Other graduates include Gearóid Breathnach and Máirín Uí Chnáimhsí, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta's most recent recruits as the station's broadcast technicians. Other former graduates include Ciara Dolphin, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta's part-time public relations officer and Máiréad Uí Dhomhnaill who is working as a freelance journalist for RTÉ in Dublin.

Due to the support of Údarás na Gaeltachta, there is no fee for the course and a weekly allowance is paid to the course participants.

Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge is the Centre for the Learning and Perpetuation of the Irish language, and it is part of the National University of Ireland, Galway.

ENDS