Féile na Gaeilge / Irish Language Day: Feast and Famine

Overview

Our 2022 language celebration explores the complex role of food in Ireland’s history and culture. Open to Gaeilge enthusiasts of all levels, the day's events include arts, media, and literary workshops; a staging of Arán & Im, a theatrical performance/installation in which the writer and documentarian Manchán Magan bakes sourdough bread for the audience while offering insights into the potent wonders of Irish; and a screening of the award-winning film Arracht, presented in association with the Irish Film Institute.

Seats to standalone stagings of Arán & Im are available April 1–3. Tickets to Arracht can also be purchased separately.

WORKSHOP AND EVENT SCHEDULE

11:30am–12:40pm
Arán & Im performance 1 (theatre)

12:45pm 
Welcome poem (café)

1pm-2:15pm 
Workshop break-out session 1. Choose from:
A. Prataí, Peaindí agus Poitín / Potatoes, Pandy and Poteen (studio)
B. An Górta Mór in Ealaín Gaelach / The Famine in Gaelic Art (library)
C. Rang Cócaireachta / Cooking Class (café)
D. Bord do Cheathrar / Table for Four (theater lobby)

Descriptions below

2:30pm–3:45pm
Tea and conversation circles (café) 
or
Arán & Im performance 2 (theater)

4pm-5:15pm 
Workshop break-out session 2. Choose from 1pm offerings.

5:30pm-7pm 
Film screening of Arracht (theatre)

7pm-8pm
After-party (café)

Workshop A: Prataí, Peaindí agus Poitín / Potatoes, Pandy and Poteen
With Siobhán Ní Chiobháin
Recommended for beginners/advanced beginners speakers, but open to all  

Join Siobhán Ní Chiobháin for a bilingual exploration of the potato's indelible place in Irish culture. For generations, the humble potato has been at the heart of Irish society through its place on the dinner table, inspiring traditions, customs, and literature. Using video clips, poetry, seanfhocail (proverbs), recipes, and a guide to the many ways to say "potato" as Gaeilge, Siobhán will be your guide.

Workshop B:  An Górta Mór in Ealaín Gaelach / The Famine in Gaelic Art
With Joseph Jones 
Recommended for beginners/advanced beginners speakers, but open to all  

A bilingual workshop that explores an Gorta Mór (the Great Famine) in Gaelic art through music, media, and craic from 1846 to the modern day. How did one of the biggest catastrophes of the 19th century affect the Celtic revival and what impact does it have to this day?

Workshop C: Rang Cócaireachta / Cooking Class
With Caoimhe Nic Giollarnáith
Recommended for intermediate/advanced speakers, but open to all

You'll have fun baking as Gaeilge with Caoimhe! She’ll teach how you to bake Irish scones and share her mother's traditional brown soda bread and beef stew recipes. You'll also learn new phrases and culinary terms, and sample some baked treats. 

Workshop D: Bord do Cheathrar / Table for Four
With Paul Ferris
Recommended for intermediate/advanced speakers, but open to all

An interactive workshop on strengthening restaurant and grocery-shopping vocabulary skills, using menus from the Gaeltacht, and other materials.