Sligo County Council marked Seachtain na Gaeilge 2025 with an array of events across the county.
Sligo County Council Seachtain Na Gaeilge 2025
Buaiteoiri Scoláireachtaí Chomairle Chontae Shligigh
Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia which runs annually from 1-17th March is one of the biggest celebrations of our native language and culture that takes place nationally and internationally. The festival gives an opportunity to everyone to practise an teanga, whether a fluent speaker or a learner. Sligo County Council, in conjunction with a number of local Irish language groups devised a programme of inclusive events for all age groups and language capabilities.
Kicking off events, Sligo Library hosted a Seisiúin Scéalaíochta with the author agus Laureate na nÓg, Patricia Forde and Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré.
Laureate na nÓg, Patricia Forde joined Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré for a special author visit
West Sligo was proactive in celebrating Seachtain na Gaeilge this year with a Tráth na gCeist in the Ocean Sands, Enniscrone, Oíche Cheoil in the Castle Inn, Easkey and a Siúlóid Treoiraithe ag Ceann Eachróise.
Members of Grúpa Gaeilge Inis Crabhann, Tráth na gCeist, Ocean Sands Hotel
An Dr. Seosamh Mac Muirí, Alan Roberts, Edel Mhic Amhlaidh agus Mairtín Enright, Ceann Eachróise
Sligo County Council hosted its now annual Lá Mór na Gaeilge event in the Council Chamber on the 12th March. Only Irish is spoken in the Chamber on this day as students from Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré and Aonad Loch Gile, Coláiste na Trócaire functioned as the Elected Members and made submissions to An Cathaoirleach on how to make life in Sligo “níos Gaelaí”. In presenting the students with certificates an Cathaoirleach Cllr. Bree remarked that ”it was wonderful to hear the Irish language being spoken in abundance in the Chamber” and he commended the students on their efforts “to promote and normalise the use of the language”. Five second level students, winners of essay and art competitions were presented with part-scholarships to the Gaeltacht at this event in the Chamber. Trevor Ó hOdhráin, Scoil Ghramadaí Shligigh, Aisling Ní Láimhín, Scoil Mhuire, Baile an Mhóta, Clíodhna Ní Dhonchair, Coláiste na Trócaire, Sophie Tsvikovych, Iar Bhunscoil na Gráinsí agus Cora Ní Ghallchobhair, Iar Bhunscoil na Gráinsí will spend 3 weeks immersed in the language sna Gaeltachtaí this summer as a result of their efforts.
McLynns Bar hosted a large attendance for their Pop-Up Gaeltacht evening of ceol agus comhrá on the 12th March which even saw budding comedians perform os Gaeilge at their regular Open Mic Comedy night.
Sligo Central Library hosted Tráth na gCeist for Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré and Aonad Loch Gile and saw author Frank Reidy join them for their fortnightly Ciorcal Comhrá on the 14th March.
Tráth na gCeist Winners Aonad Loch GileMuineoir Debora Ní Cheallaigh, Kate Wood (Bliain 4) Mia Mc Tighe, Líadan Horler (Bliain 1) along with Leabharlannaí Feidhmiúchán Michelle Brennan, Leabharlannaí Brenda Cawley, Cúntóir Leabharlainne John Duggan and Edel Mhic Amhlaidh, Oifigeach Gaeilge & Cumarsáide
Tráth na gCeist Winners Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré Muinteoir Sinéad along, S&A Bríd and third class students, Alexander, Sé, Torin, Isabelle and Willow along with Leabharlannaí Feidhmiúchán Michelle Brennan, Leabharlannaí Brenda Cawley, Cúntóir Leabharlainne John Duggan
Frank Reidy along with Cúntóir Leabharlainne John Duggan and members of the Sligo Library Ciorcal Comhrá
The Council’s Seactain na Gaeilge programme of events culminated in Tionól na Gaeilge in the Chamber, City Hall on the 14th March. Interested parties came together to network and discuss possibilities for the promotion of the use of the language in County Sligo
Speaking at the Tionól na Gaeilge event Oifigeach Gaeilge Chomhairle Chontae Shligigh Edel Mhic Amhlaidh said
“Sligo has large Irish-speaking population made up of fluent speakers and learners, across all age-groups. The attendance here today shows that there is a demand for Irish language services and networking opportunities relating to the language. The Council are very mindful of their responsibilities towards an Ghaeilge and plan to foster and develop the connections created by these events into future language planning”.
Tionól na Gaeilge, Halla na Cathrach, Sligeach