FAQ

No. While the company began with corporate language training, we now offer private language training for individuals (online and on-site / one-to-one and groups) in a wide range of languages, delivered by native, qualified, and experienced trainers. We also offer grinds for students preparing for their Junior or Leaving cert, mostly in French, Spanish and Italian. However other languages can be organised upon request.

Yes. All courses can be delivered on-site at your company or fully online, depending on your needs. We usually use the following platforms:
– Zoom,
– Google Meet,
– Microsoft Teams,
– WhatsApp (for one-to-one courses).
Students choose the platfrom they wish to use.

Yes. We offer fully certified translation services, professional consecutive interpreting (virtual and on-site), and language level assessments alongside our training programmes. We provide these services in 50+ languages.
We have been a corporate member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) for more than 10 years and have translated and certified hundreds of official documents for our private and corporate clients.

All courses are taught by native, fully qualified and experienced trainers with both language expertise and business experience. They know how to make learning practical, relevant, and engaging.

Our work is recognised by leading institutions, including 15+ years of collaboration with the European Commission (European Personnel Selection Ofiice – EPSO – recognition, CELI examination centre accreditation (University of Perugia), and corporate membership with the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI). Through the past 25+ years, we provided language training to various Departments of the Irish government (Houses of the Oireachtas, Foreign Affairs & Trade, Defence, Environment, Health and Children…) as well as agencies such as the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), Tourism Ireland, the Dublin Visitor Centre, IDA Ireland…

Yes, as an official approved centre of the Universitá per Stranieri di Perugia, we are running 3 exam sessions in Navan, Co. Meath every year in March, June and November.
The March session offers level A1 (CELI Impatto) to level B2 (CELI 3) while the June and November sessions offer all 6 levels: A1 to C2.
Enrolment closes approximately 1 month before the exam date.

What is an Apostille?

An apostille is a certificate attached to an Irish public document (e.g., notarised act, birth certificate, court record) that verifies the authenticity of the signature, seal, or stamp. It is used for countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention (most countries).

✅ Steps to Obtain an Apostille

1. Ensure Document Eligibility

• Must be an original Irish public document or a certified copy.
• Private documents may first need notarisation by a practising Irish solicitor or notary.
• All documents must show a clear Irish connection (issuer or link).

2. Notarisation (if applicable)

• If it is a private document (e.g., Power of Attorney, contract), get it notarised by a solicitor or notary.
• The apostille is attached to the notarised document.
• Public documents (e.g. birth or marriage certificates) usually skip this step.

3. Submit to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

Walk-in Services
Dublin (Knockmaun House, Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2)
• Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 9:30–12:30 & 14:30–15:30 (closed Wednesday).
Cork (1A South Mall)
• Tue & Thu: 9:30–12:30.
Drop-off Service
• You can drop in outside walk in hours:
o Dublin at Knockmaun House or Iveagh House (St. Stephen’s Green)
o Cork office
• Include a cover letter with your name, contact info, return address, country of use, and fee.
Postal Submission
• Send by registered post to:
o Dublin: Authentication Section, Consular Division, DFA, 80 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, D02 VY53
o Or Cork: same via 1A South Mall
• Include cover letter plus payment method (bank draft, postal order, or card-on-phone).

4. Fee

• €40 per apostille/authentication (standard).
• Reduced fee of €10 only for export/goods documents.
• Other fees (e.g. adoption dossiers €100) apply in special cases.

5. Payment

• No cash in person.
• Accepted: bank draft, postal order, or pay-by-phone in advance.

6. Processing Times

• Walk-in: often same-day if under five docs.
• Drop-off/postal: may take several days.
• Emergency or appointment options are available—contact DFA via email or phone to arrange.

The difference between a certified translation and a notarised translation lies mainly in who is attesting to what.

1- Certified Translation

A certified translation is a translation accompanied by a signed statement from the translator (or translation company) declaring that:
• The translation is accurate and complete,
• It is a true and faithful rendering of the original document,
• The translation agency or translator is competent to translate it.

The certification is usually attached to the translation and includes:
• Translator’s / Translation agency’s name and signature,
• Date,
• Contact details,
• Sometimes qualifications or membership number.

It is used for:
• Immigration applications,
• Universities,
• Courts,
• Government departments,
• Visa applications.

In many countries (including Ireland and the UK), certified translations are sufficient for most official purposes.

2- Notarised Translation

A notarised translation goes one step further.

The translator signs the certification statement.
A Notary Public verifies the identity of the translator, witnesses the signature, and affixes a notarial seal.

The notary does not verify the accuracy of the translation.
They only confirm:
• The identity of the translator,
• That the translator signed the declaration.

It is used for:
• Some foreign legal procedures,
• Documents for use abroad,
• Certain court cases,
• Apostille/legalisation processes.

A translator and an interpreter both convert one language into another, but the key difference is written vs. spoken.

Translator
A translator works with written text.

They translate things like:
• Contracts,
• Medical reports,
• Websites,
• Certificates,
• Manuals,
• Books.

Translation usually allows time for research, editing, and proofreading.

Interpreter
An interpreter works with spoken language (or sign language), in real time.

They interpret things like:
• Meetings,
• Court hearings,
• Medical appointments,
• Conferences,
• Telephone/video calls.

Interpreting requires fast thinking, strong listening skills, and immediate accuracy.

There are several main kinds of interpreting, depending on the setting and how the speech is delivered:

1. Simultaneous Interpreting:
The interpreter speaks at the same time as the speaker (with only a few seconds delay).
• Common in conferences, EU institutions, large events,
• Usually done with headsets and a booth,
• Requires extreme concentration.

2. Consecutive Interpreting:
The speaker talks for a short section, then pauses while the interpreter translates.
• Common in meetings, legal interviews, medical appointments,
• Can be short consecutive (sentence by sentence) or longer segments.

3. Liaison / Dialogue Interpreting:
A back-and-forth conversation between two or more people, interpreted in both directions.
• Common in business meetings, community settings, doctor visits,
• Often informal and interactive.

4. Whispered Interpreting (Chuchotage):
A form of simultaneous interpreting where the interpreter whispers directly to one listener.
• Used when only one or two people need interpretation,
• No equipment needed, but can be tiring.

5. Remote Interpreting:
Interpreting done via:
• phone (OPI – Over-the-Phone Interpreting),
• video (VRI – Video Remote Interpreting),
• Common in healthcare, customer service, urgent situations,
• Useful when no interpreter is available on-site.

6. Relay Interpreting:
Used when interpreters do not share the same language combination.
Example: Speaker → English interpreter → second interpreter → target language.
• Common in multilingual conferences.

7. Sign Language Interpreting:
Interpreting between spoken language and sign language (e.g., English ↔ Irish Sign Language).
• Common in education, public services, events.