Seachtain na Gaeilge festival comes to Kildare

An bhfuil Gaeilge agat?

Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant celebration of Irish language and culture as the annual national Seachtain na Gaeilge festival begins on Saturday March 1 and culminates on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17.

This year, a vast range of Irish language and bilingual events will take place across County Kildare that promise to engage and entertain everyone.

Seachtain na Gaeilge is the world’s largest Irish language festival, celebrating the rich heritage and culture of Ireland. It’s a fantastic opportunity for everyone – whether you’re a native speaker, a learner, or just curious – to embrace Ireland’s national language.

From March 1st-17th, there will be ample opportunity throughout County Kildare to learn more about our native language and to immerse yourself in Irish heritage and vernacular culture.

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Each of Kildare’s Municipal District Grúpa Pobail Gaeilge (Irish language community group) will organise a variety of Irish language and bilingual events and activities for Seachtain na Gaeilge.

Contact your local Irish language community group and check when and where the Seachtain na Gaeilge Céilí, Tráth na gCeist (Table Quiz) or Séisiún Ceoil (music session) will take place in your locality.

In the Nás na Ríogh – na Solláin (Naas – Sallins) area, Cill Dara le Gaeilge and Sult na Sollán have planned an exciting programme featuring 40 events.

From a talk on Logainmneacha Chill Dara (Kildare Placenames) to guided tours as Gaeilge of the Kildare County Archives, Ióga (yoga), Aifreann agus Seirbhís Dhátheangach (Bilingual Mass and bilingual Service), Comórtas Babhlála (bowling competitions), and Comórtais Scríbhneoireachta, Ealaíne agus Coimice (creative contests in writing, art, and comics)—there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy.

The festivities will culminate in grand Féile Sráide (Street Festival) on Saint Patrick’s Day from 2pm with the Céilí Mór beginning at 4:30 on Main Street, Naas.

Expect numerous stages with outdoor poetry readings, concerts, a grand Céilí Mór, and much more. The full program for Nás na Ríogh - na Solláin is available on the Cill Dara le Gaeilge website - www.cilldaralegaeilge.ie.

The Nás na Ríogh – na Solláin Seachtain na Gaeilge festival is proudly supported by Kildare County Council through the Festival Grant Scheme and the Féile Sráide is proudly supported by Éire Ildánach Chill Dara/ Creative Ireland Kildare.

Gillian Allen, County Librarian and Creative Ireland Coordinator, Kildare County Council said: “Kildare Library Service is delighted to support this year’s Seachtain na Gaeilge festivities across Naas and Sallins, which will bring the Irish language to the heart of a wide range of creative and social activities for all ages.

“We welcome the Irish speaking community to explore our county archives on a guided tour as Gaeilge, or you can pop into Naas Library for storytelling and rhymes for children, creative workshops for teens, heritage talks and conversation circles for all ages.

“Through Kildare’s Creative Communities programme, we are proud to support the Féile Sráide agus Céilí which will fill the streets of Naas with Irish language, music, dance and culture in a way that is accessible to everyone as we celebrate St Patrick’s Day. “

Muireann Ní Bheaglaoich, Oifigeach Gaeilge Chomhairle Contae Chill Dara/ Irish Language Officer, Kildare County Council, added: “Seachtain na Gaeilge brings exciting and renewed energy to the Irish language each year. The focus is on having fun with our language. Seachtain na Gaeilge encourages people to give Gaeilge a go.

“Everyone is welcome to learn their first few Gaeilge words or to use their Gaeilge in new settings. The number of Irish speakers in Kildare is 95,484 (Census 2022, people aged 3 +) - that’s 42.1% of our county’s population. Seachtain na Gaeilge normalises speaking Gaeilge and it’s the perfect time to try your ‘Cúpla Focal’ in the shop, supermarket or café, at work or among friends socially.”

Join us in celebrating Seachtain na Gaeilge 2025 and experience the joy and richness of Irish culture and language. Everyone is welcome.