Carlow’s Seachtain na Gaeilge will feature a bumper series of Irish and bilingual events
Gaelscoil Eoghain Ui Thuairisc will perform in the Féile Scoildrámaíochta Cheatharlach with their production of 'Aladdin' Photo: Dermot O'Brien
THIS YEAR’S Seachtain na Gaeilge features a bumper festival programme of events in Carlow town. The focus is on the Irish language with a feast of Irish and bilingual events running over two weeks and welcoming participation by all, regardless of your command of the language.
The festival opens today, Tuesday 4 March, with Féile Scoildrámaíochta Cheatharlach, the schools Irish drama festival running all day from 10am in the George Bernard Shaw Theatre, where over 300 young people from six schools will tread the boards to present Irish language versions of popular plays and musicals such as , , and .
The ever-popular Comórtas Ealaíne or Spring Art Competition for primary schools will encourage the use of Irish through art in the classroom and the best efforts will be passed on to Glór Cheatharlach for adjudication. Prizes will be awarded to pupils in first to sixth classes and the winning creations will be published in .
Carlow’s amateur drama group Aisteoirí an Lóchrainn is rehearsing a new comedy by Cathal Ó Catháin titled . Not to be missed, the play will be staged in Scoil Mhuire gan Smál, Green Lane on Friday 14 April at 7.30pm and guarantees buckets of laughter.
Comórtas na bhFuinneog, the best-dressed window competition, is once again held in association with St Patrick’s Festival and entry is open to all shops and businesses in Carlow town. Owners are invited to decorate their windows and to use Irish and bilingual phrases and signage. An abundance of phrases and greetings ‘as Gaeilge’ must feature and students of the Gaelcholáiste will be happy to assist with suggestions and translations. To enter, simply dress the window with a festive display celebrating all things Irish and cultural.
Other Seachtain na Gaeilge events for schools include the popular table quiz for post-primary schools and the spraoicheist for primary schools.
A trip to the cinema is sure to prove popular for a special screening for schools of the Irish language film in the IMC Cinema at Fairgreen. The film is about two brothers who have performed the same song for 20 years with their puppet Froggie. When Froggie is kidnapped and held for ransom, the brothers must come up with a plan to get him back. is set in Galway and the cast includes Carrie Crowley ( ), Seán T Ó Meallaigh ( ) and Paidí Ó Lionáird.
With the focus on speaking Irish, there will be several opportunities to gather socially and join a conversation ‘as Gaeilge’ during the festival, including Comhrá @Lamberts Café and the Pop-Up Gaeltacht in Teach Bar.
Nóiméidí ag Leá is an Irish translation of the book and it will be launched at Lambert’s on Wednesday 12 March at noon. Through Toddles and Waddles, two adorable penguin characters, this story by Lindsay Martin-Fenlon sensitively explores the symptoms of dementia and the emotions it can stir in those affected by the disease, their loved ones and carers.
Wednesday 12 March has been designated as Lá na gCiorcal or National Conversation Circle Day, when people are encouraged to organise an Irish conversation circle in the office, school, home, canteen or place of work.
A new addition to the Seachtain na Gaeilge programme this year is the revival of Scór na Sinsear, the GAA Senior Scór talent competition, which will be held in the Éire Óg clubhouse on Saturday 8 March at 8pm. All Carlow GAA clubs are invited and encouraged to participate in the various categories.
Lá Fhéile Pádraig on Monday 17 March will begin at 10.30am with Mass in Irish and the blessing of shamrock in Carlow cathedral. There will be a full afternoon of family entertainment from 2pm to 5.30pm, including the town parade at 3pm to mark the national feast. A Céilí Mór with the Johnny Reidy Céilí Band in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel from 9pm to midnight will round off the day’s festivities and bring the curtain down on another Seachtain na Gaeilge in Carlow.
The bumper Seachtain na Gaeilge programme with details of all events is available from Glór Cheatharlach on 085 1340047, 087 2857048 and at www.facebook.com/glor.cheatharlach.
