Clare County Council has announced the schedule of Seachtain na Gaeilge events running from March 1st to March 17th.
This annual event is a vibrant celebration of the Irish language and culture, bringing together communities across County Clare and beyond.
Seachtain na Gaeilge 2025 promises a rich programme of events, ensuring everyone can participate in the festivities. Highlights of this year’s celebration include:
– Panel discussion on the Report of the Coimisiún na Gaeltachta 1925 and its implications for the Irish language in County Clare in the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis on March 14. Dr. Síle Ní Choincheanainn, Mary Immaculate College Limerick, will be joined by: Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, Professor Emeritus, University of Galway; Dr. Cassandra Smith-Christmas, University of Galway; and Dónal Ó hAiniféin, principal of Gaelscoil Mhichíl Cíosóg to discuss the decision not to award Gaeltacht status to Clare in 1925.
– Flowers and Folklore with Aedín Ní Thiarnaigh in Ennistymon and Kilrush Libraries on March 13. Join broadcaster, writer and folklorist Aedín Ní Thiarnaigh at Clare Libraries this Seachtain na Gaeilge for a talk delving into the richness of the folklore associated with our native wildflowers.
– Board Games in Irish. Ciarán’s Bar in Ennis will host an evening of Irish language board games on March 6. Bring a friend and try out classic board games like Monopoly and Cluedo in Irish.
– Pádraig Jack in concert. Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee, will host the renowned musician from the Aran Islands on March 7.
– Children’s storytelling as Gaeilge in the Shannon Farmhouse at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park with MacDara Ó Conaola. Storytelling will take place every hour on the hour between 11am-4pm on March 1st-2nd, 6th-9th and 13th-17th.
In addition, Irish will be put centre stage at the March 10 meeting of Clare County Council. Councillors and council officials will be encouraged to use their Irish throughout the meeting to make it as bilingual as possible. This is part of Clare County Council’s goal to normalise the use of the Irish language.
Alan O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council, said, “Seachtain na Gaeilge is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our rich linguistic heritage. It reminds us of the importance of the Irish language in shaping our county’s history and culture. I encourage everyone to use their cúpla focal and reconnect with our language at one of the many events taking place throughout our county.”
Ruairí Henchy, Irish Language Development Officer, Clare County Council, added, “Clare County Council has expanded its range of events this year in an effort to reach all ages, backgrounds and interests. We are also supporting communities to hold events in all corners of our county. Whatever your level of Irish we hope you will come along to one of the events, have fun and connect with other Gaeilgeoirí.”
D’fhógair Comhairle Contae an Chláir an sceideal le haghaidh imeachtaí Sheachtain na Gaeilge a chuirfear ar siúl idir an 1 Márta agus an 17 Márta.
Is é is an t-imeacht bliantúil seo ann ná ceiliúradh beoga na Gaeilge agus an chultúir Ghaelaigh, agus pobail ó áiteanna ar fud Chontae an Chláir agus ó áiteanna níos faide anonn á dtabhairt le chéile aige.
Tá clár saibhir imeachtaí á ghealladh ag Seachtain na Gaeilge 2025, á chinntiú go mbeidh gach duine in ann páirt a ghlacadh sa cheiliúradh. I measc bhuaicphointí cheiliúradh na bliana seo tá:
– Plé painéil ar Thuarascáil Choimisiún na Gaeltachta 1925 agus ar na himpleachtaí a bhí aici don Ghaeilge i gContae an Chláir, rud a chuirfear ar siúl sa Temple Gate Hotel in Inis an 14 Márta. Rachaidh Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, Ollamh Emeritus, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an Dr Cassandra Smith-Christmas, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, agus Dónal Ó hAiniféin, príomhoide Ghaelscoil Mhichíl Cíosóg, i bpáirt leis an Dr Síle Ní Choincheanainn, Coláiste Mhuire gan Smál, Luimneach, chun plé a dhéanamh ar an gcinneadh gan stádas Gaeltachta a bhronnadh ar an gClár sa bhliain 1925.
– Béaloideas na mBláthanna Fiáine le hAedín Ní Thiarnaigh i Leabharlann Inis Díomáin agus i Leabharlann Chill Rois an 13 Márta. Bígí linn le haghaidh na hócáide speisialta seo ina roinnfidh an craoltóir, an scríbhneoir agus an béaloideasóir Aedín Ní Thiarnaigh eolas faoi shaibhreas agus faoi sheanchas na mbláthanna fiáine.
– Cluichí Cláir as Gaeilge. Óstálfaidh Ciaran’s Bar in Inis tráthnóna cluichí cláir Gaeilge an 6 Márta. Tabhair cara leat chun triail a bhaint as cluichí cláir clasaiceacha amhail Monopoly agus Cluedo as Gaeilge.
– Pádraig Jack i mbun ceolchoirme. Óstálfaidh Cultúrlann Sweeney, Cill Chaoi, an ceoltóir clúiteach ó Oileáin Árann an 7 Márta.
– Scéalaíocht leanaí as Gaeilge i dTeach Feirme na Sionainne ag Caisleán agus Daonpháirc Bhun Raite le MacDara Ó Conaola. Cuirfear scéalaíocht ar siúl gach uair an chloig ar bhuille na huaire idir 11am agus 4pm an 1 Márta, an 2 Márta, gach lá ón 6 Márta go dtí an 9 Márta agus gach lá ón 13 Márta go dtí an 17 Márta.
De bhreis air sin, cuirfear an Ghaeilge i lár an aonaigh ag an gcruinniú de chuid Chomhairle Contae an Chláir an 10 Márta. Spreagfar comhairleoirí agus oifigigh na comhairle chun cibé Gaeilge atá acu a úsáid ar fud an chruinnithe chun go mbeidh an cruinniú chomh dátheangach agus is féidir. Tá sé sin mar chuid den sprioc atá ag Comhairle Contae an Chláir úsáid na Gaeilge a normalú.
Dúirt Alan O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach, Comhairle Contae an Chláir: “Deis iontach chun ár n-oidhreacht teanga shaibhir a cheiliúradh is ea Seachtain na Gaeilge. Meabhraíonn sí dúinn a thábhachtaí a bhí agus atá an Ghaeilge maidir le stair agus cultúr ár gcontae a mhúnlú. Molaim do gach duine an cúpla focal atá acu a úsáid agus ceangal a dhéanamh lenár dteanga arís ag ceann den líon ard imeachtaí a chuirfear ar siúl ar fud ár gcontae.”
Dúirt Ruairí Henchy, Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge, Comhairle Contae an Chláir: “Tá Comhairle Contae an Chláir tar éis a raon imeachtaí a mhéadú i mbliana chun féachaint le gach duine a chlúdach, beag beann ar a n-aois, a gcúlra agus a réimsí spéise. Chomh maith leis sin, táimid ag tacú le pobail imeachtaí a sheoladh i ngach cearn dár gcontae. Is cuma cé chomh maith agus atá do chuid Gaeilge, tá súil againn go bhfreastalóidh tú ar cheann de na himeachtaí, go mbeidh spraoi agat agus go mbuailfidh tú le Gaeilgeoirí eile.”
