Féile na Gaeilge / Irish Language Day 2026

This year's event celebrates the storytelling practices that sustain and evolve the Irish tradition today. The afternoon's program includes story-focused workshops, conversation circles, Irish language short films, and a special storytelling session curated and hosted by Seanchoíche, a Dublin-based global storytelling collective.

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–1:30pm // Workshops (Pick from one of three sessions outlined below)
1:40pm–2:20pm // Lunch break and conversation circles
2:30pm–4pm // Gearrscannáin na Gaeilge / Irish Language Shorts Screening
Guthanna Nua na Gaeilge (New Irish Voices) presented in partnership with the Galway Film Fleadh
4:15pm–4:45pm // Tea and conversation
5pm // Seanchoíche: An evening of live storytelling in Irish
7pm // Libations and conversation

Complimentary tea and coffee served throughout the day

WORKSHOP DETAILS

Workshop A: Seanchoíche storytelling  workshop with Ciaran Gaffney 

Feel like you have a story to tell, but aren't quite sure if you could do it? Say no more! If you are looking to improve your storytelling skills, but haven't quite figured out what your story is yet, or are absolutely terrified at the prospect of getting up in front of an audience and telling your story in Irish, well then, this event is for you. We will take you through some icebreakers, theory, theme-approaching skills, best practices, and all forms of storytelling that will help you thrive if you ever decide to get behind the mic at one of our own Seanchoíche events, in a presentation, in a wedding speech, or even without a mic, telling your story on a first date. This workshop is an opportunity to have fun, reflect, debate, say what you think, ask questions, and make sure you come away from this session with a decent story to tell over a pint, a coffee, in a presentation, or at the Seanchoíche event as part of Irish Arts Center's Féile na Gaeilge. 

Level: Recommended for advanced beginners and up, but open to all 

Workshop B: Folklore and legends with Caoimhe Nic Giollarnáith 

Discover the magic of Irish storytelling—an scéalaíocht—and the rich oral tradition of the seanchaí, the traditional storyteller. 

In this workshop, we will explore how stories of myth, legend, and folklore were told in Irish-speaking communities, shaped by memory, performance, and the shared life of the community (cuimhne na ndaoine—the memory of the people).  We will delve into the Irish Folklore Collection, hear classic folktales, and watch excerpts from Oidhche Sheanchais (a night of storytelling) (1935), the first Irish-language talkie. 

The storytelling styles of Peig Sayers and Seán Ó hEinirí will be highlighted, bringing us closer to the voices that kept this tradition alive. 

Level: Recommended for early intermediate and up, but open to all 

Workshop C: Past tense // A beginner-friendly workshop with Molly Nic Céile 

Learn to master the past tense needed to talk about what you did at the weekend or something funny that happened the other day. There will be a variety of activities to help you feel more confident in telling simple stories as Gaeilge. 

Level: Recommended for beginners but open to all  

Presented with generous support from Culture Ireland, CIE Tours, the Emigrant Support Programme, the Irish Institute of New York, National Endowment for the Arts, and the St. Patrick's Day Foundation, NYC.