An exciting programme of events have been planned to mark Irish Language Week across the City and District.
Seachtain na Gaeilge runs from 1-17th March and a diverse programme of events have been planned by Derry City and Strabane District Council to provide opportunities for council staff and members of the public to explore, learn and ultimately use Irish.
Encouraging people to get involved, Erin Hamilton, from Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Languages Team, said: “We are very excited to reveal our plans for this year’s Seachtain na Gaeilge’.
“We are delighted to have presenter and writer, Ola Majekodunmi and journalist and writer, Michelle Nic Pháidín taking part in events this week. They will engage with people of all ages across the district, immersing themselves in the Irish Language and exploring how Irish impacts on the words and phrases we use every day.
“Promoting and teaching Irish is something which our Languages Team work hard to do all year, and this week gives us a chance to celebrate members of staff who are attaining their Irish Language qualifications at all levels. It’s the chance to say ‘well done’ to everyone who has put in the effort to learn and help promote Irish in our district. We also have taster sessions available for staff to help them get a real feel for Irish and find out if it’s something they would like to pursue further.”
The week will be kickstarted with a video released to show A Day in the Life of an Irish Language Officer.
The video will follow the Council’s Irish Language Officer as she carries out her role providing Irish Language services to the local community and promoting the language right across the district.
Available on Facebook and Twitter from Monday 3rd March at 10am, this video will give you a behind the scenes look at how the Irish Language is promoted on a daily basis by Council.
It will also allow you to think about ways you can get involved with some of the initiatives and outreach programmes available in your area.
On Wednesday 5th March, Council employees will be given the opportunity to attain their Cúpla Focal, Silver Fáinne or Gold Fáinne. This milestone will mark the ongoing commitment by these members of staff to learning and improving their Irish Language proficiency.
The attention turns to some of the youngest learners of the language on Thursday, 6th March when World Book Day is given a distinctly Irish feel. Ola Majekodunmi, presenter, writer, producer and Irish Language Project Co-Ordinator with Fighting Words, will meet with students from Irish medium schools across the district in the Guildhall.
Ola will present a creative writing workshop to students that will discuss various themes including the Irish language, identity and Irish medium education. Every school that takes part in the event will also receive a hamper of books to take back to their schools.
On Tuesday, March 11 the Alley Theatre in Strabane is the setting for a special evening of readings and discussion with acclaimed journalist and writer, Michelle Nic Pháidín.
Michelle will present a selection of readings in Irish from her collection of short stories Súile Éisc agus Scéalta Eile. The audience will have the opportunity to discuss some of the themes explored in the stories with the author.
This event is suitable for those who are fluent in the Irish language. Booking is essential. Please book your place by contacting: [email protected] by Thursday 6th March.
Concluding the celebrations will be a taster course provided for council staff on Wednesday, 12th and Thursday 13th March in both the Derry and Strabane council offices.
Those attending will get a short introduction to the Irish language and to learn and practice some Irish words and phrases with the Council’s Languages Team.
The Irish Language Week 2025 programme is available at: www.derrystrabane.com/gaeilge
Further information about any of the events is available by emailing [email protected].
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