Mayo County Council announce exciting events for Seachtain na Gaeilge

Mayo County Council have announced an exciting programme of free events to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge.

The 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. 

Mayo County Council’s Irish Language Officer, Fionnuala Nic Pháidín said the council are ‘delighted’ to partner with organisations such as Comhar Dún Chaocháin, Dúchas.ie and Maynooth University to create the programme of events.

The events aim to ‘link 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” she said.

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. 

Austin Vaughan, Mayo County Librarian, said they are happy to support the celebrations. He called the programme of events ‘rich’ and said everyone at the library is looking forward to ‘celebrating the cúpla focal’ with the community.

“We’ve got everything from drumaí (drums) to comhrá (chat) to ceol (music), and lots more” he concluded.

Local history and heritage buffs are also in for a treat, with two workshops held by the Dúchas 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.

“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” said Nic Pháidín.

Seachtain na gaeilge takes place from March 1-17.

All Mayo County Council Seachtain na Gaeilge events are free, however attendees are advised to check Offig na Gaeilge’s website or their local library for further details, as registration is required in some instances.