Cumann na Gaeilge is accepting applications for Fr. Seán Sweeney Scholarship grants, a limited number of which will be awarded to qualified applicants to supplement the costs of taking a Cumann-approved Irish language course, such as those sponsored by CONCOS in Ireland during this coming summer. The maximum amount of the grant is $1,000. Applicants for grants should be in at least their second year of study in Irish language classes conducted or approved by the Cumann and be a member in good standing. We ask that those who have previously received a scholarship allow a two-year window of time before reapplying. Those who have not previously received a Fr. Sweeney scholarship will be given preference.
Grants will be awarded on the basis of a written application and an interview by a committee of examiners arranged to be held via Zoom to be arranged with members of the scholarship committee.
The examiners will evaluate the Irish language skill of the candidate to respond to simple questions about work, home, weather, time-telling, the calendar, and other everyday situations. Applicants should be able to recite from memory a short selection of poetry and some seanfhocla, and be familiar with simple grammatical constructions, such as those found in the first lessons of Gaeilge gan Stró, Buntús Cainte 1, and lessons 1-50 of Progress in Irish.
This will be the thirty-third year of the Cumann’s Scholarship Grant Program. Please consult Cumann na Gaeilge’s website, cumann-na-gaeilge.org for a downloadable application form. Applications must be filled out and submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24th, 2026, via e-mail, to info@cumann-na-gaeilge.org.