The Work

Spending a summer in a Gaeltacht area is a quintessential part of growing up in Ireland, and the Bean an Tí is keys to ensuring that it is a great experience.  

The role of the Bean an Tí is to provide a ‘home away from home’, by preparing food and ensuring the safety and well-being of students in their care. They also supervise students and ensure that Irish language and college/house rules are adhered to by the students in their care.

A Bean an Tí usually accommodates between 8 and 12 students at a time during the Summer months.

Irish is the spoken language of the household which provides the students (gailgeorí) with plenty of opportunities to practice the Irish that they learn during class.

Meals generally follow a menu plan agreed with the College to ensure variety and a wholesome diet for the students in their care. Special dietary requirements must also be catered for.

'Cinnirí' (young adults who have attended the courses before and have achieved a high degree of fluency in Irish) may also stay in the houses with the students. The cinnirí are selected for their ability to encourage and motivate other students and to assist any who have difficulty in settling in or who have other problems.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

To be a Bean an Tí, you need to be fluent in the Irish Language and your house needs to meet certain criteria set by the Irish College. Contact the Irish College in your area for information about what it takes to be a Bean an Tí.

You may not find Irish language jobs advertised in the usual jobs search sites, but many are advertised on the Lárphointe eolais na Gaeilge (The Irish Language Information Hub)

It is likely that you will be required to have an awareness or training in:

-Child protection

-Undergo Garda Vetting. Garda Vetting forms are submitted through the employer and cannot be completed by the applicant prior to employment. You can read more about Garda Vetting here

-Have a knowledge of and training in First aid and health & safety of your premises 

Last Updated: November, 2021

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €5k - €18k

Work is highly seasonal, running alongside Gaeltacht course and income varies depending on location and number of students who can be accommodated.

A bean an ti (a woman who takes care of children who stay in her home while they study Irish in an Irish college) earns about €5,700 on average over three weeks - if she takes 12 students into her home. A bean an ti usually accommodates between eight and 12 students at a time for an average of about €23 a day per child (or about €480 per child over three weeks), though the rate paid varies across the country.

A Gaeltacht course usually runs for either two or three weeks. The courses run for most of the summer, so a bean an ti can accommodate students attending a number of courses.
Revenue.ie

Data Source(s):
Revenue.ie

Last Updated: August, 2021

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although employment numbers increased since 2021, they remain too low for detailed analysis.

• Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

  • 23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 631 3800
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Udaras na Gaeltachta

  • (091) 503100 (Head Office)
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Lárphointe eolais na Gaeilge (The Irish Language Information Hub)

  • Click Here