Féile na Gaeilge / Irish Language Day 2025

Overview

The theme of our 2025 Irish language celebration is the music of Ireland’s past, and what it can tell us about our present. Traditional musician, academic, and television presenter Doireann Ní Ghlacáin joins us for the full day’s program of workshops, performances, conversation circles and film, including a screening of Seán Ó Riada—Mo Sheanathair, a documentary about her grandfather, the divisive and iconic composer and arranger Seán Ó Riada, and a multimedia exhibition, the Say a Song Project.

Feile na Gaeilge is a bilingual event for speakers of all levels, including absolute beginners and those simply curious about Irish cultural heritage.

SCHEDULE

12pm // Workshop Session 1***
Pick from one of three offerings: Sean-nós singing, the Oireachtas and Fleadh Cheoil, and Gaeilge i Mo Chroí 

1pm // Documentary Screening
Seán Ó Riada—Mo Sheanathair, followed by a Q and A with the film’s creator, Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, moderated by Caoimhe Nic Giollarnáith 

2:30pm // Lunch Break 

3:30pm // Workshop Session 2***
Pick from one of the three offerings: Sean-nós singing, the Oireachtas and Fleadh Cheoil, and Gaeilge i Mo Chroí 

4:15pm // Tea and Conversation 

5:00pm // "The Say a Song Project" with Doireann Ní Ghlacáin 

6:30pm // Libations and conversation

Complimentary tea and coffee throughout the day

***WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

Sean-nós singing with Doireann Ní Ghlacáin 

Recommended for all levels 

Explore the intricacies and nuances of Irish oral poetry, more commonly known as sean-nós singing. In this workshop, Doireann will guide us through the pillars of this ancient tradition, discussing various regional styles, dialects, and characteristics. Together, we’ll scrutinize and study some of Ireland’s most prolific oral poets and learn a few songs along the way!

The Oireachtas and Fleadh Cheoil with Caoimhe Nic Giollarnáith

Recommended for advanced beginners and above, but open to all 

The Oireachtas festival, unlike the Fleadh Cheoil, is aimed only at Irish Gaelic speakers and focused on the music, arts, and culture associated with the Irish language. Explore the development of both sean-nós singing and dancing from the establishment of the Oireachtas festival and the Fleadh Cheoil festival to the present day, and learn key Irish phrases rooted in the sean-nós tradition.

Gaeilge i Mo Chroí / Irish in My Heart: An author talk with Molly Nic Céile, moderated by Siobhán Ní Chiobháin 

Recommended for all levels 

Molly Nic Céile, IAC teacher and creator of the social media sensation Gaeilge i Mo Chroí for Irish-language learners and lovers, discusses her book of the same title. Gaeilge i Mo Chroí invites us to connect with Irish in our hearts as we set out on a journey of renewed pride sa Ghaeilge. Using seanfhocail (proverbs) and scéalta (stories)—and with plenty of craic along the way, including the hilarious "if Irish were English" approach to better understanding sentence structure—the book offers guidance on bringing Irish into our everyday lives, supported by useful word and phrase glossaries throughout. She will be joined in conversation with fellow IAC teacher Siobhán Ní Chiobháin.

Presented with generous support from Culture Ireland and the Emigrant Support Programme.