Exciting Programme Of Free Events Organised By Mayo County Council To Celebrate Seachtain Na Gaeilge

Date: 01-03-2024

Mayo County Council is once again participating in Seachtain na Gaeilge, with a wide range of free bilingual and Irish-language events organised across the county in the first two weeks in March.

Whether you’re a cainteoir dúchais (native speaker), líofa (fluent) or looking to brush up on your Gaeilge, there is something here for everyone. Those looking to practice their conversation skills can call into Castlebar, Ballina and Westport libraries for a friendly chat and cupán tae at a Ciorcal Comhrá, or venture out for an atmospheric evening of song, poetry and song as Gaeilge in Westport Library with Westport Comhaltas. Local history and heritage buffs are also in for a treat, with two workshops held by the Dúchas.ie team showcasing the wealth of folklore material available online from the Iorras Gaeltacht as well as the wider county.

Highlights for younger participants in Mayo County Library branches include a comic‑drawing workshop, sean-nós singing, treasure hunt, toddlers’ morning, storytime and a competitive Teanga Bheo table quiz. Children with all levels of Irish are welcome to join in.

Mayo County Council’s Irish Language Officer, Fionnuala Nic Pháidín said:

“We are delighted to partner with organisations such as Comhar Dún Chaocháin, Dúchas.ie and Maynooth University this year to create this programme of free events which links the Irish language with the arts, literacy development, play, local history and heritage.

We have a strong Irish language community in Mayo and a very rich Gaeltacht heritage which adds so much to our county. Seachtain na Gaeilge is a great opportunity for people with all levels of Gaeilge to learn more about the Irish language in Mayo and to try something new”.

Austin Vaughan, Mayo County Librarian said:

“As always, we’re delighted to support Seachtain na Gaeilge in our library branches. It’s such a rich programme of events and we look forward to celebrating the cúpla focal with you all. We’ve got everything from drumaí (drums) to comhrá (chat) to ceol (music), and lots more besides. Ask at your local library branch, or keep an eye on our social media for details.”

Details of all events can be found on www.mayo.ie/IrishOffice/SnaG or in our Seachtain na Gaeilge brochure. All events are free, however please note that registration is required in some instances.