Get ready to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge 2023 in Fingal

Fingal County Council is getting ready to celebrate our language and culture during Seachtain na Gaeilge 2023.  This international Irish Language festival runs from 1-17 March with its motto encouraging everyone use whatever Irish they have – Bain Triail Aisti.  Council events are taking place in County Hall Swords, Local Libraries, Ardgillan Demesne and the Seamus Ennis Centre and many other events are being organised by Irish language groups throughout the County.  

On Wednesday 8th March at the Atrium County Hall Swords, with the support of the Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, there will be a Seachtain na Gaeilge celebration with Ceol, Craic and Gaeilge from 7 to 9pm. With the event coinciding with International Women’s day it is fitting that the entertainment will be provided by three hugely accomplished female musicians, Bernadette Nic Gabhann on fiddle, Éilís Murphy on concertina and Megan NicFhionnghaile fiddler and singer.  This annual event, which welcomes Irish language enthusiasts from the county to join Fingal staff, is always very popular and audience participation is encouraged so if you would like to join in with a song on the night please do.

The delightful Irish language film Róise & Frank starring Bríd Ní Neachtain will be shown in the Seamus Ennis Art Centre, Naul on Thursday 9 March. This is a great film for all age groups and is a must-see for dog lovers everywhere so much so that there is a special dog friendly screening at 6pm with the standard screening at 8.30. This comedy-drama set in the picturesque Ring peninsula in Co Waterford tells the story of the positive impact of a stray dog on the life of widow Róise and will draw out smiles, tears and plenty of laughs from anyone who sees it. See https://www.tseac.ie/events.

On March 2nd Head Gardener Dominica McKevitt and Irish Officer Bernie Kelly will lead a bilingual walk in Ardgillan Demesne, Balbriggan. Meet at the Tea rooms entrance at 11am.

Events in local libraries include music by Antaine O’Faracháin and Nollaig Mac Carthaigh in Blancahardstown Monday 6th 6:30pm, Rush 10th 3pm and Balbriggan 11th, 2pm.  Donabate Library will host an Irish Language Book Club on the 13th and a Social Night for adults on the 15th in both at 6.30pm.  There will be lots of activities for children also including Sorcas Dodhéanta Guido Fanzini, Malahide on the 15th and Yoga as Gaeilge and Cruthaigh Éan-Scéal/Create a Word-Bird with children’s author Sadhbh Devlin each in a number of Libraries.

Many Irish language community groups and Pop Up Gaeltacht events will also be taking place during Seachtain na Gaeilge and full details can be found on www.peig.ie or on Social Media. Some examples are regular Ciorcal Comhrá taking place every Saturday in Swords Noah Cafe, Pavillions 11.30am, Donabate Cate's Cafe, and Balbriggan Bracken Court Hotel 12noon. Pop Up Gaeltacht will take place in Duffy's Malahide on Thursday 2nd at 8.30pm. Swords parkrun will celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge on March 11th with an emphasis on Irish and a Pop up Gaeltacht directly after it. 

Mayor Fingal Cllr. Howard Mahony commented “Seachtain Na Gaeilge each year provides a renewed focus on the Irish language and events such as these organised by Fingal encourage people of all ages and abilities to engage with the language in a positive and enjoyable way.”

AnnMarie Farrelly Fingal Chief Executive said “Fingal County Council is delighted to, once again, celebrate and support the Irish language within the Council and the County during the Seachtain na Gaeilge festival and I hope you can attend one of the events. We are committed the provision of Irish Language services and it is fitting that another group of Fingal Staff will commence training for the Certificate in Professional Irish during Seachtain na Gaeilge.”  

Our Fingal Libraries and Community Centre facilitate Irish language groups and classes on an ongoing basis. 

For full details of Seachtain na Gaeilge events in Fingal see www.fingal.ie/seachtain-na-gaeilge-2023   Be sure to follow us on Social Media for updates and to check out our daily social media content as we celebrate and promote the language and culture Follow us on twitter at @fingalcoco @fingallibraries  and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fingalcoco . 

Further information contact  [email protected]