TG4 IS SET to make history with the launch of the first-ever Irish language children’s channel today.
Cúla4 will broadcast a host of shows aimed at those aged 12 and under in what is an exciting step in the promotion of our national language. Featuring a mix of entertainment, drama and news, Cúla4’s content is designed to keep the kids happy.
“It’s a brand new TV station that belongs to the young people of Ireland,” said Niamh Ní Chróinín, one of the presenters of Cúla4.
Young people’s opinions are the most important thing in any decision that’s been made so far about Cúla4 and that will be made in the future. A rule of thumb in the office is if in doubt, ask a kid,” Niamh said.
Cúla4 will air for 14 hours daily, from 6am until 8pm. You can find it on Saorview on channel 18, channel 602 on Virgin Media and channel 624 on Sky and Eir. The ground-breaking channel will also be available online via the Cúla4 player and also the Cúla4 app.
Alongside Niamh, who will be on our screens in the afternoon, Seosamh Mac Seoin and Síle Ní Chonghaile will cover the morning show from 6am and the educational zone from 9am, respectively.
Also on the channel will be news bulletins for young people during the week with Aisling Ní Dhonnabháin and Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin covering local, national, local and international news. Schools will be able to tune in from their classrooms from Tuesday to Friday at 1:30pm to keep up with the news of the day.
Cúla4’s launch will ensure the next generation of children in Ireland have another outlet in media where Irish is spoken and comes at a time when there is widespread interest and support in the language. A recent survey from Ipsos MRBI saw widespread support for the creation of a dedicated children’s channel in Irish, with 89% of respondents saying they agree or strongly agree that it is important for our society that a children’s channel is available in the Irish language on a free-to-air basis.
For Niamh and Cúla4, it’s about normalising the Irish language and making it part of everyday life for children, as well as for their parents and teachers.
“It’s not just something you do in school,” Niamh said. “It’s an actual living thriving language and providing content as Gaeilge to young people who really want to watch content in Irish.”
We see huge demand for Gaelscoileanna, and there’s a growing number of activity groups and sports groups who are training through Irish. It’s essential that young people, parents and teachers have top quality content available to them all the time, and that’s what Cúla4 is going to do.”
250,000 primary school students throughout Ireland already use the TG4 or Cúla4 Player in the classroom, according to RED C research. The launch of the standalone channel will only see these numbers increase, but Cúla4 is “not a school lesson” according to Niamh.
“It’s about providing fun and entertainment and it just happens that it’s in Irish at the same time,” she said.
As well as on our televisions, Cúla4 will meet kids where they consume their media, with regular uploads to its YouTube channel every week. Children will be able to stumble across content from Cúla4 in all of their regular spaces, further normalising the Irish language in media.
“The new Cúla4 channel ensures that Irish language content is more accessible for our younger audiences, and will hopefully strengthen their engagement with it, as they are the future generation,” Karina Feirtéar, Channel Manager of Cúla4, said.
“We developed a space for our audience to enjoy entertaining content when they like, and will continue to make sure that we represent our diverse audience as best we can by showcasing lives in Ireland today.”
Launching today, Cúla4 will air for 14 hours daily, from 6am until 8pm on Saorview on channel 18, channel 602 on Virgin Media and channel 624 on Sky and Eir. Cúla4 is also available online via the Cúla4 player and the Cúla4 app.
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