English
Gaeilge
EU GREEN Linguistic and Cultural Immersion Initiative hosted at ATU
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) welcomed 30 colleagues from its EU GREEN University Alliance network for a week’s linguistic and cultural immersion in Ireland from 15-19 June 2026.
30 EU GREEN colleagues – three groups of ten staff members, from the University of Angers in France, the University of Évora in Portugal and the University of Extremadura in Spain – had the opportunity to learn about Irish language and culture while also developing their English language skills, thanks to the support of ATU staff.
The week-long event was officially opened on Monday, 15 June by Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU and Dr Frances Lucy, ATU Lead for EU GREEN University Alliance. This marks the third EU GREEN language immersion programme. The first programme, which focused on Spanish language and culture, was organised by the University of Extremadura in May 2025. The second programme, focusing on Portuguese language and culture, took place at the University of Évora in August 2025.
The EU GREEN language and cultural immersion programme initiative was set up to champion linguistic diversity and aims to foster plurilingualism within its alliance, which is one of 64 such alliances across the European education area. The immersion week hosted by ATU aimed to provide English language training, a taste of Irish language and culture, and networking opportunities for the staff involved in the EU GREEN initiative. The programme was developed by ATU lecturers, Dympna Griffin and Dr Sarah Berthaud and by the EU GREEN team at ATU, Margaret Mulchrone, Lorraine Cunningham, Deirdre Whelan and Emma Wallace.
Reflecting on the impact of the initiative, ATU lecturer Dympna Griffin said: “One of the most rewarding parts of the week was seeing people from different countries come together, share their cultures, and learn from one another. While the programme focused on developing English language skills, it became much more than that. We exchanged stories, traditions, perspectives and experiences, creating connections that went beyond the classroom. It was wonderful to see participants grow in confidence, make new friendships, and gain a deeper appreciation of the rich cultural diversity that exists across the EU GREEN Alliance.”
During an action-packed week, participants were introduced to the Irish language by Fergal O’Dowd, a lecturer at ATU, and took part in an Irish dancing workshop. Dympna Griffin and Margaret Mulchrone were responsible for teaching and facilitating the English language learning.
They also sampled some of the best touristic and cultural offerings in the West of Ireland; they took part in a Galway City tour led by ATU lecturer Cian Marnell, a guided visit of Galway City Museum, an experience at Micil Distillery and a foraging workshop delivered by Ulrich Hoeche, a lecturer in Culinary Arts at ATU. They also had the chance to explore the wider West of Ireland region by visiting the ATU Connemara Campus and Glen Keen Farm, the largest sheep farm in Ireland, where they experienced a live sheep-herding demonstration.
EU GREEN’s linguistic and cultural immersion programmes have proven very successful amongst staff. They not only provide an excellent opportunity to develop connections with staff from other universities but also foster relationships within the same institution. They also afford the participants the opportunity to upskill linguistically and further contribute to exchanges within the EU GREEN University Alliance.
Photo Credits : Brad Anderson/Photo One
For media enquiries, contact:
Aidan Haughey
Communications Manager
Tel: 086 086 6913
E: aidan.haughey@atu.ie
