Coláiste UISCE in the only Irish college with recognition from the ISA (Irish Sailing Association). While other Irish colleges provide some watersports, we are the only one with accreditation from the governing body. This means that Coláiste UISCE adheres to the highest safety standard requirements in all aspects of watersports instruction. Such requirements include:

• Providing one instructor for every six students
• Guaranteeing that these are all registered, qualified instructors with the ISA
• Annual inspections on teaching methods and standards of equipment

This ensures that the quality of both teaching and equipment are maintained to an extremely high standard at all times.

Along with ISA recognition, Coláiste UISCE is also recognised by both An Roinn Gnothaí Pobail, Comhionannais agus Gaeltachta and An Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta.

Interactive Course
As Confucius said, “I hear – I forget, I see – I remember, I do – I understand”.
Coláiste UISCE recognises the beneficial balance between indoor and outdoor education. Our Irish language courses are taught in an interactive, lively and fun environment. Students are completely immersed in Irish, enabling them to significantly improve their skills in all areas of the language, including reading; writing; aural comprehension and oral expression.

“Make learning Irish fun” is our motto in Coláiste UISCE. Through our unique courses, students will see Irish in a new light. Our interactive teaching methods change attitudes towards learning Irish. Our experience has shown that this approach is far more effective that trying to cram as much vocabulary as possible into children in a limited period. As Henry Ford said “If you think you can or if you think you can’t your right” therefore a childs mental attitude towards something is critical. When students experience Coláiste UISCE, they experience an exciting, educational, fun watersports Gaeltacht course that will created positive memories which will stay with them for years.

50% of Leaving Cert Oral Irish

New Syllabus Siollabas Nua
We have designed a brand new interactive syllabus for the classroom. Students will return home with a workbook that they can revisit during the school year, giving you, the parent, a clear record of the topics and exercises covered during their Gaeltacht Irish College course.

Despite our “make learning fun” approach to teaching Irish, we take our obligation to the standard of Gaeilge in Coláiste UISCE very seriously. We employ more supervisory staff per student than any other Irish College in Ireland in order to implement and maintain this standard. Our principals are dedicated to maintaining and insisting upon a solely Irish language atmosphere at the Coláiste. We operate a clear and transparent discipline system to ensure all students understand that learning Irish is the primary objective of the course at Coláiste UISCE.

Recent TV programmes have highlighted the benefits of the outdoor pursuits environment in the personal development of teenagers. Research in this field demonstrates that Emotional Intelligence (E.I.) and Social Skills can matter twice as much as IQ or academic intelligence for success in life, in the workplace and in leadership ability.

In Coláiste UISCE, as well as teaching Irish, we see the personal development and emotional needs of each individual as one of our primary goals. Our activities are geared towards instilling confidence in students as well as giving them new life and leadership skills. Our team-building challenges require communication; teamwork; co-operation and problem-solving skills, and our evening activities allow for group mixing and socialising. Our experienced instructors facilitate and integrate these important life skills through these various activities. Promoting respect for one another is a core philosophy of Coláiste UISCE.

We have now structured our own positive mentoring system built on the concept of respect, ‘MEAS’, which acknowledges and helps students develop these positive traits during their course at Coláiste UISCE.

1. Coláiste UISCE employs more staff per student that any other Irish College, adventure centre or language course in Ireland ensuring the highest standard of supervision and care for your child.
2. 1:6 Our standard instructor:pupil ratio on the water ensures personal attention.
3. 24-Hour Supervision is provided for your child. With our Principal and a team of trained night supervisors staying on site, as well as a CCTV security system, parents do not have to worry about their child’s safety during their time in Coláiste UISCE. Students staying in Bean an Tí accommodation benefit from the supervision of both the host family and an Ardchinnire. Whether they stay in our Irish college or in host houses, students’ safety is of the utmost importance.

Coláiste UISCE’s location is unique, situated in the Mayo Gaeltacht on the beautiful blue flag beach of Elly Bay. This safe, sheltered bay is perfect for learning sailing, windsurfing and kayaking. And, only 500 metres away, the rolling waves of the Atlantic beach offer the perfect location for learning the exiting sport of surfing.

UISCE Irish College has a purpose-built facility, comprising four classrooms; one large restaurant; one large activity hall; 27 student rooms; four staff supervisor rooms, and changing rooms. Our Irish college features lots of space for team pursuits, including a purpose-built activity room; large outdoor pitch areas; two outdoor basketball courts, and two soccer pitches, and during lunch break, students can enjoy these facilities at their leisure. Students can alo try climbing and archery in our purpose-built indoor climbing hall and archery range. Along with our team challenges, these activities mean that no matter the weather, our students will enjoy learning Irish through fun, energetic and exciting sports. It has everything needed to complete a successful course.

Accommodation is provided on site and in our local host houses; students can choose which they prefer. The Coláiste offers 4- and 5-bed ensuite dorm rooms, while our Bean an Tí houses can accommodate up to 12 students in 3- and 4-bed rooms. For students opting for the “home away from home” experience of Bean an Tí accommodation, buses are provided for all trips to and from the houses.

Coláiste UISCE is the only place in Ireland where National Qualifications are awarded through Irish for Watersports. It is the only Irish College to hold accreditation from the Irish Sailing Association and the Irish Surfing association.

This approval is your guarantee that your child receives the highest standards in relation to instructor/pupil ratios; buoyancy aids; watersports equipment and qualifications of instructors. Try sailing; windsurfing; surfing; kayaking; bodyboarding and life-saving skills in one convenient location. Go home with certification that you have completed a nationally recognised training course. Coláiste UISCE is the only place in Ireland where you’ll find all these sports on offer in one local setting.

Colaiste UISCE offers real value for money where students can try a variety of watersports and more in one location. There’s no need for a long trip to the sea; we have a choice of beautiful beaches only minutes from the centre.

Our all-inclusive package means you’ll not only experience more; you’ll save more too. An Irish College course in Coláiste UISCE includes an Irish language course; a revision course; a multi-activity course; 24/7 supervision; food and accomodation.

• A revision course without food, accommodation or activities costs on average €120 per day.
• A language course with food and accommodation but without activities costs on average €62.78 per day.
• A multi-activity course without the Irish language costs on average €71.29.

Coláiste UISCE on average costs €68.50 per day: that’s value for money.

All staff members in Coláiste UISCE are qualified, highly motivated and experienced. Most of our teachers and instructors are past pupils who have been selected as a result of their dedication and positive, enthusiastic manner. Our ardchinnirí (prefects) are also past students who have excelled and demonstrated good leadership qualities. All staff attend a training course where they are taught how to deal with any issues they may come across while working in Coláiste UISCE. This guarantees that a high standard of tuition and care is provided to your child at all times during their Gaeltacht course at Coláiste UISCE.

Over the last 20 years, Coláiste UISCE has gone from strength to strength due to our novel and fun approach to teaching Irish without any compromise to our commitment and dedication to providing you the highest standards possible.