Seachtain na Gaelige is a celebration of everything Irish – music, literature, poetry, theatre, film, you name it. Different activities are organized all over the country by local councils, schools, libraries and other bodies all with one main purpose: keeping the Irish culturealive and kicking THROUGH the use of Irish language. Every year a CD comes out with a mix of popular Irish songs originally recorded in English, but for this special occasion translated into Irish and rerecorded. Well worth buying!
Eventhough the name suggests it’s a week long event, it actually spreads out over 2 weeks. This year it’s all happening between 5th and 17th of March. Check out their website for the schedule of all the activities!

If you are interested in Irish and would like to learn the language, a good way to start is to learn a few basic words and phrases, which will come especially handy in the coming weeks. Listen to some Irish language sayings on irish-sayings.com. If you want to learn some more Irish, check out the software packages on learnirishgaelic.com.

On Translation Forum you can ask for advice on Irish words and phrases you aren’t sure of. irishgaelictranslator.com is a forum where people from all around the world gather to debate the dialects of Irish language, give corrections or more accurate translations for many different purposes such as homeworrk, tattoos, wedding ring engravings and more.

All bigger cities in Ireland are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day for much longer than just one day. This year most celebrations start on the Saturday 13th March and won’t end till the early hours of 18th of March, the day after St. Patrick’s Day.

Parade in Inis 2008

The festival in Dublin is a week long and offers all sorts of cultural events for the whole family. There will be treasure hunts and funfairs for children and music, comedy and film events for a bit older.

Young and old enjoy the parade in Inis 2008.

Inis 2008

The one in Cork is happening on the weekend before St. Patrick’s and on the day, with activities for the whole family.

In Limerick you can enjoy in two parades. The first one is taking place on Sunday, 14th March, when the streets of Limerick will be taken over by the members of bands from all around the world. It’s the Band Parade! On 17th March Limerick will be hosting the second biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ireland! It was around 2 hours long last year!

By now you probably don’t need an Irish Dictionary anymore to know what Póg mo thóin means, or do you?

Limerick 2009

Limerick 2009

Limerick 2009

Limerick’s Band Parade

Band Parade in Limerick 2007

Band Parade in Limerick 2007

Limerick Band Parade 2007

Ach fiosraím dom fhéin i gcónaí cén saghas éifeacht a’ bhfuil ag SnaG ar Bhéarlóirí na hÉireann. Éifeacht ar na daoine nach labhrann Gaeilge gach lá, na daoine a’ bhfuil Gaeilge scoile acu ach nach bhfuil aon fíor nasc acu leis an teanga.

Rud beag a thaithníonn liom ná giotaí ar staisiún radio Today FM. Déanann siad iarracht a giotaí beaga a labhairt as Gaeilge, cosúil le, “Beidh spórt agus an aimsir againn tar éis na bhfógraí”. Dár liomsa, ba chóir go ndéanfadh siad an iarracht sin gach seachtain, ní amháin le linn SnaG. Cheanna féin, bíonn ceist “Fíor nó bréigeach” acu gach lá as Gaeilge, agus is maith é sin.

Tá LeabharPower.com á fhógairt ar na meáin cumarsáide Béarla. Láithreán spleodarach daithiúl atá ann, ag cur chunn cinn leabhair atá ar fáil as Gaeilge. [Cén fáth a' bhfuil gach cluadach leabhar Gaeilge mar an gcéanna?]

Ar deireadh, tá dlúth-diosca SnaGCeol le hamhráin as Gaeilge – Bell X1 agus Mundy ina measc. Is féidir é a cheannach ar líne ar Concerngifts.org.

Brón orm faoin caighdeán den Ghaeilge scríofa anseo. Is í seo mo Ghaeilge don nua-aois!