Over 20 events for Seachtain na Gaeilge 2026 will be hosted across the county, as Cork County Council present their arts programme for the 2026 event.
Seachtain na Gaeilge is an international Irish language festival and one of the biggest celebrations of our native language and culture that takes place each year from March 1st to 17th. The festival gives an opportunity for everyone to enjoy Irish, whether you are a fluent speaker, learner or have a cúpla focal, with a calendar of entertaining and fun events for every type of interest and every age group.
Chief executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell said that the events “encourage everyone to speak Irish and incorporate it into our daily lives.”
The programme is being delivered in library branches, schools, and other venues. Storyteller Paddy O’Brien will deliver events for schools and Ciorcail Cainte groups. A bilingual poetry reading and open mic will be hosted by poets Bernadette Gallagher and Jeanna Ní Ríordáin.
Various library branches will feature a brief introduction to the poetry and work of Seán Ó Riordáin, one of the most important Irish poets of the twentieth century. This will be followed by a performance by Kevin McNally featuring live reading of poems in Irish and English, as well as a soundtrack and an improvised score using electric guitar, Javanese gamelan, and electronics.
Abair Amhrán (say a song) is a relaxed, supportive environment in which to explore the deep tradition of Irish song and improve your Irish while doing it. Each session invites singers to share their Irish songs and learn new ones under the guidance of an Irish-speaking musician.
Cúpla Focail is a fun, bilingual creative writing workshop that explores the creative space between Irish and English. Through simple prompts, accessible resources and a bit of creative mischief, participants are encouraged to experiment and play with their cúpla focal in a relaxed, supportive environment.
For younger gaeilgeoirs, Creative Beginnings is a bilingual (Irish English) and inclusive creativity and wellbeing event for children aged 0–6 and their parents or carers. Children and adults will explore art, music, movement, and sensory play together in various library branches. Musicians Alan Coakley and Aengus Kirakowski who will perform songs from ‘Throwing Time,’ the new album of the traditional music group in schools. The title comes from the Irish phrase caitheamh aimsire, which literally means “spending time” but is commonly used to mean “passing time.” Through a mix of English and Irish, songs and stories from the traditional storytelling heritage will be shared with the students and their teachers.
‘FOR EVERYONE’
Launching Cork County Council’s Seachtain na Gaeilge arts programme, Mayor of County Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, said that Irish is for everyone, as she encouraged people to engage with the celebration.
“In county Cork we are immensely proud of the Irish language. We have two Gaeltachts in the county and many communities who come together to speak Irish. To celebrate this year’s Seachtain na Gaeilge we are delivering over 20 arts and cultural events with County Cork musicians, seanchaís, and artists. I hope a lán duine come out to celebrate as Irish is for everyone, Seachtain na Gaeilge is for everyone.”
All events are free to attend, and the full timetable can be viewed at: www.corkcoco.ie
