What is Seachtain na Gaeilge? For those of you who aren't fully sure let me give you a quick introduction.
Basically, it is an Annual International Irish Language Fest, where we celebrate the Irish language, heritage and culture. Each year we start on the first of March and end with the ultimate celebration of Irishness on the 17th, Saint Patricks Day.
"Winterfell is atop of this huge mountain in Northern Ireland, and you can see all these weather fronts coming in. Basically, the sky circles the mountain. It's the most beautiful place."
- Kristian Nairn
How Did Seachtain na Gaeilge Start & is it Just One Week?
Irish is one of the oldest and most historical written languages in the world. The earliest evidence of this is on Ogham stones from the 5th century. Now Irish can now be found in more than 4,500 books, on the television, on the radio, in the newspapers, magazines, and on the Internet.
Seachtain na Gaeilge traces all the way back to 1902 when the festival was first celebrated.
Initially, the festival was only supposed to last for seven days, hence the name. However, it was extended due to its popularity. A huge reason why the festival was and is so popular to this day is because of the large Irish population around the world. The Irish people have a long history of emigration, meaning that there are Irish communities scattered all over the globe.
A lot of these communities resonate very strongly with their Irish heritage and, therefore, revel in the opportunity to celebrate it during Seachtain na Gaeilge. With the festival growing from strength to strength in recent years, its duration has grown from a week to up to 2 weeks but without changing the name because of how recognised it is.
Conradh na Gaeilge is the main organisation involved in organising the festival each year. It promotes the two-week celebration of the Irish language and posts events and opportunities throughout the year. It also provides resources for schools, youth clubs and hosts competitions that anyone can enter!
Events Taking Place During Seachtain na Gaeilge 2023
Every year during Seachtain na Gaeilge several events take place and 2023 is no different.
Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia is a community festival, with community-organized events. From oícheanta ceoil in the local pub to historical tours trí Ghaeilge through the castles of Ireland, there’s an event for everyone.
To find events, and register your own, head over to PEIG.ie.
The festival runs from 1 – 17 March every year.
"When I was a kid, if you didn't speak Irish, you really wanted to. And you played Gaelic games and you didn't pay any attention to what was happening in the outside world, because really, Ireland was the center of the universe. And I don't think that's the case anymore. Although, admittedly, it is the center of the universe."
- Roddy Doyle
It offers an opportunity for everyone to enjoy Irish, from fluent speakers to those with just the cúpla focal. Each year, a calendar of entertaining and fun events for every age group is provided.
Community groups, local authorities, schools, libraries and various organisations put on events for Seachtain na Gaeilge in their local area. Seachtain na Gaeilge promotes one main message:
Irish is for everyone.
During Seachtain na Gaeilge, the main aim of the festival is to promote the language as well as inspire and encourage people to speak or learn Irish, even if it's just cúpla focal!
Bíonn an Ghaeilge á chéiliúradh ar fud na tíre agus thar lear i rith Seachtain na Gaeilge. Is í príomhaidhm na féile ná an teanga a chur chun cinn chomh maith le daoine a spreagadh an Ghaeilge fhoghlaim nó a labhairt, fiú dá labhródh cúpla focal!
Brushing up on the "Cúpla Focal" for Seachtain na Gaeilge
Stats from 2020 and 2021 showed that Irish was the fastest-growing language and the number one language to learn in Ireland, according to data released by the language learning app Duolingo, which has over 1 million people actively learning Irish every week on it.
The main change being this year more people opted to learn Ukrainian and Russian due to the war which is unsurprising and actually really very thoughtful and kind of people.
With Seachtain na Gaeilge approaching why don't we take a look at some Useful Words & Phrases as Gaeilge:
- Hello, - Dia duit.
- How are you? - Conas atá tú?
- What’s your name? – Cad es ainm duit?
- I am Ken - Is mise Ken
- What's your name? - Cad es ainm duit?
- What's the news? - Cén scéal?
- Welcome - Fáilte
- See you later. - Slán go fóill.
- Goodbye - Slán
- Cheers - Sláinte
- Yes - Tá
- No - Níl
- Thank you - Go raibh maith agat
- Excuse me - Gabh mo leithscéal
- I don't understand (you) - Ní thuigim (thú)
- Men - Fir
- Women - Mná
- Broken Irish is better than clever English! - Is fearr Gaeilge briste, ná Béarla clíste!
- Shut Up! (shut your mouth) - Dún do bhéal!
- I'm tired - Tá tuirse orm
- Good night! – Oíche mhaith!
Now that you've got a little refresher list of some Irish words why not use more Irish from day to day, at home, with your friends, on the phone, in your e-mails and in social media posts?
For more resources, you can always visit SNAG.ie or download the Duolingo APP, or if you prefer you can practice with a real-life person by signing up for a Superprof tutor for a few lessons in most cases you get your first session free and lessons start from just €15 per session.
I hope you have so much fun as you continue your adventure through the Irish language. Slán leat.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
