An Irish teacher from Co Tyrone is doing her bit to bring the language to a global audience with her online business.
Michelle Furey from Plumbridge has taught hundreds of students through her online business since she set it up at the onset of the pandemic in 2020.
She now has more than 200 pupils logging into her virtual lessons, including a New York newspaper editor who takes three classes a week and a London film producer preparing to shoot an Irish language movie in Belfast.
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Michelle had been working as a classroom-based Irish teacher, but her work went online in March 2020 when educational institutions had to close their doors.
"I was quickly thrust into having to use forums such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Cisco WebEx to provide lessons," recalls Michelle, who discovered her passion for Irish as a schoolgirl, and has a Master's in education.
"I found very quickly that online teaching really suited me, I loved the flexibility that it brought to my life. All I needed was a computer, a microphone and a headset, where previously I would have been reliant on whiteboards and printed teaching resources."
Of the more interesting places she has taught Irish, Michelle spent a year teaching Irish in Maghaberry Prison in her early twenties.
"Obviously I wasn't allowed to bring anything in with me, which meant I had to be very flexible and less reliant on resources," she says.
"It was very challenging, but I learnt how resilient I was under pressure."
With growing demand for her classes, which range from complete beginners to advanced, Michelle has been able to employ two freelance teachers. Her primary school-based Irish language programme is also flourishing, with six schools on board to date.
"The interactive nature of the online lessons has definitely taken over but I do adore my on-site Irish," she says.
"My dream has always been to pass on the beautiful Gaeilge language to the next generation, to spread the message that Irish is for all, and in order to keep the language alive we must speak it.
"It is a dream come true for me to be able to do that every day – labhair í agus mairfidh sí (speak her and she will survive)".
Early in the process, Michelle enlisted the help of Derry City and Strabane District Council and the Strabane Enterprise Agency, enrolling in their Go For It and Start Up Accelerator (SUAP) programmes. Through the free schemes, Michelle attended workshops on topics such marketing, social media, and improving sales.
"I would definitely recommend those with a business idea to get in touch with the Council and Strabane Enterprise Agency. The support was easy to access, the staff involved with SUAP and Go For It are fabulous, and the mentors are second to none," says Michelle.
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