Derry gets ready to celebrate Irish Language Week 2014
February 27, 2014
Irish Language Week 2014 is almost here and Derry is set to celebrate all things Irish with a programme of Irish language-themed events and activities which runs from 1st – 17th March.
Irish Language Week (Seachtain na Gaeilge) is celebrated every year by communities across the island of Ireland and across the globe and the festival offers a great opportunity for learners of Irish and fluent speakers alike to use the language and celebrate Irish culture.
This year’s festival starts with the annual Irish language literary conference Éigse Cholmcille, which will be held at The University of Ulster’s Magee campus from Friday 28th and Saturday 1st March. This year’s event will explore the theme of the ‘Scholars from the West of Ulster’ and includes a series of guest lectures and book launches on the theme.
Féile Bheag na Leabhar (The Little Festival of Books) returns again this year after being successfully launched in the City of Culture year. It is the first children’s Irish language book and storytelling festival to take place in the city and is organised by Derry City Council in partnership with Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin. This year’s event takes place on World Book Day – Thursday 6th March and includes performances by the children’s entertainment outfit Lúrapóg Larapóg and renowned Donegal storyteller Gearóidín Bhreathnach.
On Saturday 8th March, to celebrate International Women’s Day, a range of Irish language and traditional music events will take place at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin including a lunchtime panel discussion about the role of women in traditional music, followed by a traditional music session and an evening concert ‘Ceol na mBan’ featuring a selection of the best female artists in the world of Irish folk and traditional music.
From 10th to the 12th March the annual Fáinne Challenge will take place, offering students of Irish from across the city and district the opportunity to try out for silver and gold fluency pins. Successful candidates will be presented with their awards at a special ceremony to be held on Thursday 13th March, after which the ever-popular Big Irish Language Week Quiz will take place. There will be lots of other opportunities to speak Irish during the festival with Conversation Circle events on the 5th and 14th March. Don’t miss this opportunity to brush up on your Irish and meet some other learners of the language.
Throughout Irish Language Week members of the public will be able to drop into Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin to visit the ‘Story of Irish’ exhibition which details the history of the language in the Derry City Council area. The project which was developed by Derry City Council in direct partnership with the local Irish language community was undertaken during the City of Culture year to celebrate the National Year of Irish and was conceived as a legacy initiative to inform future generations of the place the language in society here.
Irish Language Week ends with a packed programme of events on St Patrick’s Day. There are events and activities happening all over the city to celebrate this year’s theme of ‘Music, Myth and Magic’ – the full St Patrick’s Day Spring Carnival programme is available to view online at www.derrycity.gov.uk/stpatricksday.
To keep up-to-date with all that’s happening over the Irish Language Week period visit Derry City Council’s Irish Language page at www.derrycity.gov.uk/gaeilge or check out local Irish language event listings on Facebook at www.facebook.com/foramphobalnagaeilge. If you would like information about events taking place at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin contact T: (028) 71 26 4132 or email fiachra@culturlann-doire.ie
IRISH LANGUAGE WEEK 2014
1st – 17th March
Irish Language Week (Seachtain na Gaeilge) is celebrated each year by Irish speaking communities throughout the island of Ireland. It is the biggest international Irish language festival which aims to promote the use of Irish among learners and fluent speakers alike with a diverse programme of events and activities.
Friday 28th February & Saturday 1st March
ÉIGSE CHOLM CILLE
The University of Ulster, Magee Campus, Derry
The annual Irish language literary conference returns to explore the theme – Irish Language Scholars of the West of Ulster.
Contact: Nioclás Mac Cathmhaoil, T: (028) 71 675 770, Email: nm.mccaul@ulster.ac.uk
Admission free
Monday 3rd – Monday 17th March
SCÉAL NA GAEILGE: THE STORY OF IRISH
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, 37 Great James Street, Derry
A new exhibition showcasing the past, present and future story of the Irish language in the Derry City Council area.
Contact: Pól Ó Frighil, Irish Language Officer, Derry City Council, T: (028) 71 376 579, Email: gaeilge@derrycity.gov.uk
Admission free
Wednesday 5th March, 12:00pm
CIORCAL COMHRÁ: CONVERSATION CIRCLE
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, 37 Great James Street, Derry
Conversation circles in Irish at Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Levels.
Admission free
Tuesday 4th March, 7:00pm
SEISIÚN CEOIL TEAGHLAIGH: FAMILY MUSIC SESSION
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, 37 Great James Street, Derry
Family session and music classes
Contact: Odhrán Ó Maoláin, T: (028) 71 264 132, Email: odhran@culturlann-doire.ie
Thursday th March, 10:00am-2:30pm
FÉILE BHEAG NA LEABHAR: THE LITTLE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, 37 Great James Street, Derry
Féile Bheag na Leabhar (The Little Festival of Books) is Derry’s first children’s Irish language book festival. Organised by Derry City Council in partnership with Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, this year’s festival takes place on World Book Day – 6th March – and features a storytelling workshop with renowned Donegal storyteller Gearóidín Bhreathnach and a performance by Lúrapóg Larapóg.
Contact: Pól Ó Frighil, Irish Language Officer, Derry City Council, T: (028) 71 376 579 Email: gaeilge@derrycity.gov.uk
Open to Irish medium schools in the Derry City Council area.
Saturday 8th March
LÁ IDIRNÁISÚNTA NA mBAN: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, 37 Great James Street, Derry
The theme for International Women’s day 2014 is ‘Inspiring Change’. Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin provides the focus for a day-long celebration of women in Irish music with a lunchtime panel discussion and a concert showcasing a selection of leading female trad artists.
1:00pm –Panel Discussion and Session
‘Women in Traditional Music’ with Lynette Fay, Laoise Kelly, Alana Henderson and Emma Sweeney.
Admission free
8:00pm – Ceol na mBan
A celebration of women in the Irish folk and traditional music scene. This concert features an eclectic line-up that includes some of the most exciting female musicians on the contemporary trad scene. (Entry £8)
Contact: Odhrán Ó Maoláin, T: (028) 71 264 132, Email: odhran@culturlann-doire.ie
Monday 10th – Wednesday 12th March, 9.30am – 5.00pm
SCÉIM AN FHÁINNE: THE FÁINNE CHALLENGE
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, 37 Great James Street, Derry
The Fáinne Challenge offers learners of Irish throughout the city the opportunity to try out for a fáinne at Basic, Intermediate or Advanced level. Booking essential.
Contact: Fiachra Mackel, T: (028) 7126 4132, fiachra@culturlann-doire.ie
Thursday 13th March, 8:00pm
BRONNADH FÁINNÍ & TRÁTH NA gCEIST: FÁINNE PRESENTATION & BIG QUIZ
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, 37 Great James Street, Derry
Presentation of fáinne to learners of Irish who undertake oral exams during Irish Language Week. Followed by the Big Irish Language Quiz.
Contact: Fiachra Mackel, T: (028) 7126 4132, fiachra@culturlann-doire.ie
Friday 14th March
CIORCAL COMHRÁ: CONVERSATION CIRCLE
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, 37 Great James Street, Derry
Conversation in Irish at Basic, Intermediate, Advanced Levels
Contact: Fiachra Mackel, T: (028) 7126 4132, fiachra@culturlann-doire.ie
Saturday 15th March, 7.30pm
OÍCHE GHAELACH: IRISH NIGHT
Immaculate Conception College, Trench Road, Derry
Tickets available free of charge from school office
Further information: Caitríona Uí Dhoibhlín – cdevlin278@icc.derry.ni.sch.uk
Monday 17th March
LÁ FHÉILE PÁDRAIG: ST PATRICK’S DAY
12.30-2.00 & 4.00-6.00
Entertainment with The Fanzini Brothers and Seisiún Mór with Ceoltóirí na Cultúrlainne and guests
Pól Ó Frighil | Oifigeach Gaeilge
Comhairle Cathrach Dhoire | 98 Bóthar na Trá | Doire BT48 7NN
T: (028) 71 376 579
Pól Ó Frighil | Irish Language Officer
Derry City Council | 98 Strand Road | Derry BT48 7NN
T: (028) 71 376 579
www.derrycity.gov.uk/gaeilge
