Seachtain na Gaeilge 2014 has arrived
March 4, 2014
The annual Irish language festival will take place from 1-17 March with events to celebrate the language happening all over Ireland and abroad
Seachtain na Gaeilge 2014 kicked off in Killarney at the weekend with an open-air concert by the group Seo Linn as a part of Ard-Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge 2014.
The beginning of the festival was also marked in Dublin where a ‘Game for Gaeilge’, a challenge match between Castleknock GAA and CLG Na Gaeil Óga took place. The match was played in Somerton Park, the home ground of this year’s festival ambassador, Ciarán Kilkenny, and there were several other special guests including the Sam Maguire Cup. Celebrations also took place in Belfast where Lynette Faye, another ambassador for this year’s festival, attended Queen’s University Féile GAA along with representatives from Líofa 2015.
Thousands of events take place every year as part of the festival that promotes the Irish language and culture in Ireland and places all over the world. Events include conversation gatherings, traditional music, sean-nós and Irish dancing, historic walks, poetry reading, lessons, speed dating as Gaeilge, children’s events, storytelling, concerts, and many cafés will hold conversation circles. The festival gives everyone a chance to experiment and have fun with Irish, whether they are fluent speakers or only dipping their toe in the language for the first time.
Speaking in Killarney at the weekend, Brenda Ní Ghairbhí, Bainisteoir Sheachtain na Gaeilge, said that it’s important the events cater to the interests of the community and we are extending an open invitation to all to take part in the festival and to use whatever Irish they may have at events or at home, at work, with friends, on social networks or any other way. “Irish belongs to all of us”, said Ní Ghairbhí.
Among the main events taking place this year are: Rith 2014, the national marathon run from Baile Bhúirne to Belfast between 7-15 March; Cinemobile will go on a mini tour around the country from 5-7 March with showing the best of Irish language cinema to school children; Gaelspraoi as part of the St. Patrick’s Festival will take place in Dublin from 14-17 March and the festival will come to a close with Ceiliúradh Phobal na Gaeilge in Belfast City Hall on St. Patrick’s Day.
Seachtain na Gaeilge events are run nationwide and worldwide by community groups, schools, local authorities, libraries, cultural, sport and music organisations and more besides. The list of Seachtain na Gaeilge events is available on www.snag.ie and on the festival app, SnaG 2014, which is available to download for free on iTunes and on Google Play.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
