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.