Laois woman combines love of law and Irish in TG4 internship

A LOVE of law and Irish is guiding Portlaoise native Sarah Bennett in her internship at broadcaster TG4.

Since 2018, TG4 has invited third-level graduates and industry newcomers to participate in a year-long work experience internship programme with the Irish language station.

Internships at TG4 offer practical learning outcomes across a range of media roles, including social media, production and sports broadcasting. Interns are invited to contribute to content creation, live event coverage and digital engagement.

Interns can work within a variety of departments, including BLOC, MOLSCÉAL, Spórt TG4, Foghlaim TG4, as well as in graphic design and editing.

Among the current interns is Portlaoise native Sarah Bennett, who has completed her internship with TG4’s legal department, combining her passions for law and the Irish language.

A former student of Gaelscoil Phortlaoise, Sarah earned a bachelor’s degree in civil law and business from the University of Galway before completing a master’s in European law at Utrecht University.

While in the Netherlands, Sarah contributed to the European Commission’s Influencer Legal Hub on potential consumer protection violations on social media. It was through this work that she developed her interest in digital media law.

On her return, with a view to working in law through Irish, Sarah undertook Irish language classes with Gaelchultúr. She believes there is now a renewed interest in the Irish language.

She describes her internship as a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the language’s growing role in modern society: “We are at a really important time when it comes to the Irish language,” she says. “Recent history has evidenced a growing sense of appreciation for the language.” Sarah continues: “TG4 has been instrumental in providing a platform which empowers non-native Irish speakers like me to engage with the language daily. TG4 has invariably challenged the status quo, allowing Irish to exist as a living language.

“It is such a phenomenal honour to work in TG4. I have been welcomed with patience and encouragement. Compassion and understanding builds community; language plays a fundamental role in fostering these communities.

“I am immensely grateful to be part of a wider movement of change and growing enthusiasm for the Irish language.”