Seachtain na Gaeilge sna Déise to be celebrated across Waterford
Members of the Igbo, Afghani and Hungarian communities with Maolíosa Ní Chléirigh at the inter-cultural celebrations in St. Patrick’s Gateway during Seachtain na Gaeilge 2024
Waterford City and County Council have announced the programme of events for this year's Seachtain na Gaeilge sna Déise.
Events will take place across the city and county, and the council's Irish Office is collaborating with several groups to provide an exciting schedule of activities.
A spokesperson for Waterford City and County Council thanked all those who have taken part.
"We would like to thank all the individuals and groups for their co-operation and support in organising the programme of events and activities for this year’s Seachtain na Gaeilge.
Therefore, if you would like to practice your ‘cúpla focal’, or simply listen to our native language in use, please feel free to attend any of these free Seachtain na Gaeilge events. Bain sult as!" said the spokesperson.
Kicking off the festival is a bilingual guided tour of The Wake Museum.
Join Donnchadh Ó Ceallacháin at Cathedral Square on Wednesday, March 5.
Tours will begin at 11 am and 1.15pm, and all are welcome to come along to hear fascinating stories of life and death in Waterford, detailing traditions and superstitions from early Christian times right up to the 20th century. Fáilte roimh chách.
Organised as part of Waterford’s St Patrick’s Day Festival, this intercultural event will take place in St Patrick’s Gateway Centre in Waterford City on Saturday, March 15, from 2-4pm.
Irish speakers (and those with ‘cúpla focal’) and members of some of Waterford’s newer communities will have the opportunity to come together to share a taste of their respective cultures.
Members of the Waterford City branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will provide some traditional music, and there will be opportunities to learn some Irish songs and sean-nós dancing steps, all while using and learning 'cúpla focal Gaeilge'. Refreshments will be provided and all are welcome to attend this special event.
Ciorcail na nDéise Waterford’s growing number of Ciorcail Chomhrá (Irish conversation groups) will have an opportunity to come together for a ‘cupán tae agus caifé’ and a chat on Wednesday, March 12, in the Coach House Coffee in Kilmacthomas.
Members of Ciorcail Chomhrá from Dungarvan, Stradbally, Tramore and Waterford City will all get together to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge.
If you are interested in joining a Ciorcal Comhrá and not sure how to do so, you can contact your local Library or the Irish Officer at gaeilge@waterfordcouncil.ie for details of a Ciorcal Comhrá near you.
This year’s Bilingual Table Quiz, organised by the Irish Office of Waterford City & County Council, will take place in the Cove Bar on the Dunmore Road, Waterford City, on Thursday, March 13 at 8pm, and is open to the public.
It’s a fun night which gives people a chance to use their ‘cúpla focal’ in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, and there will be plenty of spot prizes, music, and craic on the night. You can register in advance by contacting jlenane@waterfordcouncil.ie.
Dún Garbhán le Gaeilge is organising a number of events and activities around the Gaeltacht Service Town of Dungarvan during Seachtain na Gaeilge, including special screenings of Irish language films in Movies@Dungarvan for local schools, a Pop-Up Gaeltacht in Alice O’Connor’s Lounge Bar, Abbeyside and a St Patrick’s Day Céilí open to all families in Lawlor’s Hotel, with a trad session beforehand for children.
For more information on these events, contact Bróna at dungarbhanlegaeilge@gmail.com or 087 4785054.
Staff from the libraries throughout the city and county have organised a programme of bilingual/Irish events and activities, which will take place in the coming fortnight and all of which are free of charge.
Dungarvan and Tramore Libraries will be hosting their regular Ciorcal Comhrá and Rannta le Chéile (Irish language rhymes for young children), and Portlaw and Ardkeen Libraries will run the ever-popular, ‘Bingó as Gaeilge’ for local schools again this year and booking is essential at your local library.
Waterford Library Service has an extensive stock of Irish language books, which will be on display in various libraries around the city and county during Seachtain na Gaeilge, with people encouraged to borrow and read the fabulous range of Irish language books that are available for both adults and children.
Details of all events and activities can be obtained from your local library and will also be shared on the library service website www.waterfordlibraries.ie and on social media.
