Seachtain na Gaeilge / Irish Language Week

Irish Language and Cultural Festival – There’s something for everyone!

Seachtain na Gaeilge – Irish Language Week, traditionally is a two week festival which takes place each year in the lead up to St Patrick’s Day. The festival focuses on events of Irish interest both linguistically and culturally with something for everyone.

The festival got off to a great start this year with a concert for Gaelscoileanna, Ceol na Síog with Grainne Holland, organised by Mid Ulster Council.

It has been great to have Spraoi na Scoileanna back again –  a special event An Carn had been organising for local schools each year prior to Covid.  This year will host a bilingual event for English medium primary schools and an event especially for Gaelscoileanna. The schools can look forward to a fun and interactive show with Cleamairí Feirste – the Belfast Wren Boys.

This year will host two Dianchúrsa Gaeilge. (Irish language intensive courses).

There will be a course for adults with 5 levels catering for complete beginners through to advanced levels on Saturday 12th March, from 10am-3pm. The Cruinneas Class is the highest level and especially for fluent speakers who wish to perfect the accuracy of their grammar. It is essential to book your place online on www.ancarn.org/whats-on in advance of the course ideally by Thursday 10th March as places are limited.

The other Dianchúrsa is a one day preparation course for GCSE Irish, AS & A2 Level Irish taking place on Saturday 26th March from 10am-3pm. It is essential to book places on this course online www.ancarn.org/whats-on  by Wednesday 23rd March.

On Sunday 13th March at 1pm, we will have a FREE event for families with the ever talented and funny, Cleamairí Feirste.  This is perfectly suited for families with children attending Irish medium, either Naíscoil or Bunscoil / Gaelscoil. The show will be mostly through Irish, but is interactive and will be fun for the whole family.

On the evening of Sunday 13th  at 6.30pm, there will be a screening of an Irish language mystery thriller, “Doineann” on the big screen. Following the movie there will be an opportunity to meet and find out how the movie was made or any other questions you might have during Q&A with Damian Mc Cann, director and Sorcha Nic Giolla Mhuire, editor. Tickets (£5) for this event can be booked online on www.ancarn.org/whats-on

On Saturday 19th March, there will be an Oíche Ghaelach, Irish Night, and see the return of Clann Mhic Ruairí in concert to An Coire at 8pm. There will also be the option of a delicious three course traditional Irish themed meal in An Croí Coffee House & Bistro before the concert. Meal: £20.95 or Meal & Concert: £30.00. For more information and to book tickets go to www.ancarn.org/whats-on

We would like to acknowledge our funders Mid Ulster Council, Arts Council NI and Foras na Gaeilge for their funding and support which has enabled us to deliver this excellent programme of events.

For further information and bookings for all courses and events can be made through our website www.ancarn.org/whats-on