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Derek o'Brien, BA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht

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Fiontar, DCU
Fiontar, DCU

Derek O'Brien reminisces about his time studying BA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht at DCU. He recalls being warned that these would be the best years of his life. At first, he struggled with missing friends and adjusting to different Irish dialects. However, he grew to understand and enjoy the course. Derek became involved with the student newspaper, first as Irish Assistant Editor and then Editor. He considers his time as Editor the highlight of his university experience. Derek credits opportunities through Fiontar, societies, and the student newspaper with providing memories and experiences that will stay with him forever.

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Derek O’Brien, BA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht 2013 Derek O’Brien is a final year student on the BA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht and reminisces about his university life in DCU. Before I started my course, BA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht in Fiontar, DCU, my friend told me one thing: ‘Be ready. The best years of your life are now’. This stayed in my mind always, especially in the first few months as a student with Fiontar. I missed secondary school, my friends and especially the Dublin Irish language. Secondary school doesn’t prepare you for all the different accents you hear in Fiontar.
As time went by, things started to come together as I started to understand what the course was about and what was in front of me. And I was lucky that I understood. I undertood early on that there is no such thing as a degree in journalism. You can’t be a qualified journalist by doing a degree on your own. It’s the things you do outside of the academic course that make you a journalist. Because of this I developed an interest in the ‘College View’, the DCU university newspaper. I always enjoyed writing, especially as I had a strange addiction to grammar (don’t ask).
At the end of my first year, I was elected as Irish Assistant Editor for the newspaper and then a few months after that as Editor. I call these months as Editor the ‘Era of Terror’. I am making reference to Irish grammar here and not anything violent. I was given the Hybrid award for Irish Journalist 2012 because of my experience and work as Irish Editor. I also won the national award at the Smedias this year. These nights were the highlights of my university life and that come to mind when I think back on my time spent at university. For me anyhow.
Fiontar and DCU provide the facilities and opportunities to have an unbelievable experience while doing your degree, but its up to everyone to take grab hold of these. Learning facilities and opportunities as well as social too. These personal achievements will stay in my mind forever, all the different parties and even the days when we could only lie on the couch for 10 hours. I wouldn’t have these memories without the ‘College View’. I wouldn’t have them without the Cumann Gaelacht agus other societies. I wouldn’t have them with Fiontar.

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Derek o'Brien, BA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht

  • 1. Derek O’Brien, BA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht 2013 Derek O’Brien is a final year student on the BA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht and reminisces about his university life in DCU. Before I started my course, BA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht in Fiontar, DCU, my friend told me one thing: ‘Be ready. The best years of your life are now’. This stayed in my mind always, especially in the first few months as a student with Fiontar. I missed secondary school, my friends and especially the Dublin Irish language. Secondary school doesn’t prepare you for all the different accents you hear in Fiontar.
  • 2. As time went by, things started to come together as I started to understand what the course was about and what was in front of me. And I was lucky that I understood. I undertood early on that there is no such thing as a degree in journalism. You can’t be a qualified journalist by doing a degree on your own. It’s the things you do outside of the academic course that make you a journalist. Because of this I developed an interest in the ‘College View’, the DCU university newspaper. I always enjoyed writing, especially as I had a strange addiction to grammar (don’t ask).
  • 3. At the end of my first year, I was elected as Irish Assistant Editor for the newspaper and then a few months after that as Editor. I call these months as Editor the ‘Era of Terror’. I am making reference to Irish grammar here and not anything violent. I was given the Hybrid award for Irish Journalist 2012 because of my experience and work as Irish Editor. I also won the national award at the Smedias this year. These nights were the highlights of my university life and that come to mind when I think back on my time spent at university. For me anyhow.
  • 4. Fiontar and DCU provide the facilities and opportunities to have an unbelievable experience while doing your degree, but its up to everyone to take grab hold of these. Learning facilities and opportunities as well as social too. These personal achievements will stay in my mind forever, all the different parties and even the days when we could only lie on the couch for 10 hours. I wouldn’t have these memories without the ‘College View’. I wouldn’t have them without the Cumann Gaelacht agus other societies. I wouldn’t have them with Fiontar.