St. Charles Sister Cities Offers Irish Language Lessons

Matt Morrison, native of the Brandywell area of County Derry, will spend six weeks this summer teaching interested students his native tongue.

The Irish language lessons are sponsored by the program, which recently completed the first student exchange trip to Carndonagh, St. Charles' newest sister city. Next fall, 22 students from Carndonagh are expected to travel to .

Sandi Swift, Irish Chapter President of St. Charles Sister Cities, said six students traveled to Carndonagh, and stayed with local families this spring. Several of the parents and grandparents of students who went on the trip were inspired to sign up for Irish language lessons.

The Sister Cities Program offered an initial six-week class language course in April. A second six-week introductory class will start June 12. Classes are taught from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays and will continue through June 26, break for two weeks, then resume July 17-31.

Students will receive handouts and a glance card. Classes are taught at 6327 Clayton Ave. in Dogtown. Cost is $35. For more information, contact Sandi Swift at irishsistercity@charter.net.

Register in advance with Swift by sending information to Irish Sister City Programs, Inc., PO Box 1692, St. Charles, MO, 63301. Checks can be made payable to St. Charles Sister Cities Programs, Inc.