As a country, we love a good party. We love to get together and celebrate the big things and the little things. As Summer rolls in and festival season is upon us, what better time to take a deep dive at some of the best festivals available as Gaeilge.
It would be remiss of me to talk about festivals as Gaeilge and not start with Oireachtas na Samhna. An t-Oireachtas is the biggest festival in the Gaeilge calendar every year. It has been running for the most part, since 1897 and is the biggest celebration anywhere in the world of the Irish language as well as Irish music, dance, singing, drama, literature, and more. Gaeilgeoirí travel from all over the country and even internationally to get together for a few days every November to celebrate their heritage and culture, socialise, and catch up.
It brings together the stars of the screen, radio, and music scene as Gaeilge with families, students, and regular Irish speakers all under one roof. There are events for people of all ages which creates a fantastic sense of community in the venue all weekend.
There are also a series of competitions and awards ceremonies that take place which recognise those who are doing their utmost to conserve Irish traditions while also ensuring that they have a firm place in the 21st century. Awards are given to those working in Irish language media, for drama, dancing, music playing, and perhaps the most coveted of them all, Corn Uí Riada, the highest-level Sean-Nós singing competition there is. Named in honour of the legendary Seán Ó Riada, this is the highest honour a singer can win at the Oireachtas and so attracts a huge audience both in-person and on TG4 every year.
As well as the traditional celebrations and awards, there is of course a massive social element to the festival. As you can imagine, when thousands of people gather together to celebrate all under one roof, there's going to be a massive party. Again, however, there is still something going on for everyone, it’s not all about drinking until the early hours, even if that does go on too… There is an incredible amount of seriously talented musicians and singers, storytellers, and performers seemingly around every corner at An t-Oireachtas so if that’s more your style, you’d be more than welcome to sit in and listen or even join in with a tune, song or story of your own if you’re up for it.
It is the most incredible melting pot of celebration for the arts I have ever had the good fortune to witness made all the more special by being done completely through the Irish language. Coming home from an t-Oireachtas last year in 2022, I realised when on the phone with my mother to let her know what time I’d arrive in Limerick that I’d barely spoken a word of English in three days.
Nuair a bhí deis agam freastal ar an Oireachtas don chéad uair anuraidh, ní raibh cliú agam céard leis a bheith ag súil. Bhí scéalta cloiste agam ó mo chairde agus ó dhaoine éagsúla eile i Saol na Gaeilge faoin ócáid agus na rudaí a tharlaíonn ann, an meascán is mó do Ghaeilgeoirí faoi dhíon amháin ar feadh cúpla lá, an chraic is fearr riamh.
Bhí sé cosúil le brionglóid dom ag siúl thart in óstán an Gleneagle, Cill Airne ag bualadh lena mílte Gael, daoine nach raibh aithne dá laghad agam orthu agus daoine eile a raibh aithne súil agam ó na meáin ach nár bhuail mé leo riamh. Faoi dheireadh na féile áfach, bhí sé cosúil le go raibh mé ag an teacht le chéile teaghlaigh is mó ar dhomhan, mhothaigh mé sa bhaile, mhothaigh mé go raibh mo threibh aimsithe agam.
An t-Oireachtas isn’t the only place where these kinds of gatherings take place, however. It is certainly the biggest but similar, smaller events happen all over the country every year. Did you know for example that there are music festivals every summer done as Gaeilge? In 2019, Féile Nasc started in Dublin’s Marlay Park. Originally a one-day event, the festival was this year expanded to a two-day celebration of Irish music with a modern twist. From acts like The Len Collective and The Bonny Men to Kneecap there is a great mix of trad, folk, and even rap to enjoy at the Féile as well as great events for families and children. That is a special thing on its own but especially so when it’s done so close to the heart of Dublin city, a place that doesn’t often get enough recognition for being a centre-point for the Irish language. This year’s Féile Nasc takes place on the 20th and 21st of May in Marlay Park. More information and tickets can be found here.
Festival season continues later in the Summer with Féile na Gealaí. Just like Féile Nasc, this is a massive celebration of Irish music and arts that takes place in the Gaeltacht of Rath Chairn Co. Meath. Since 2016, people have come from far and wide to get together for a two-day party like no other. Another collection of incredible musicians and singers such as Síle Denvir, Pólca 4, and Megan Nic Ruairí among others will be performing at the festival this year as well as a live podcast from Na Seansálaithe (Hugh Carr, Áine Mhaoir, and James Ó Flathartha), stand-up comedy as Gaeilge from Gaelgáirí, family events like Íoga (Yoga) with Little Buddhas. Once again, Féile na Gealaí is the perfect example of Gaeilgeoirí getting together to celebrate all the best things about the Irish language and the arts scene that comes with it. It is a perfect showcase of the modern approach to the Irish language, celebrating all of its possibilities and the fun that comes with it. This year’s Féile takes place between the 9th and 11th of June, more info and tickets can be found here.
Quickly now, before you read the next paragraph, what is the biggest festival in Ireland every Summer?
That’s right, Electric Picnic, an Phicnic Leictreach! 70,000 people from far and wide descend on Stradbally Co. Laois annually to celebrate the music and arts scene with some of the biggest acts in Ireland and international superstars performing over the three days. The festival is world-famous for its mix of great craic, incredible acts, and being a massive melting-pot of cultural events and activities. Hidden away amongst the madness however is Croí na Féile. A celebration of Irish language, music, and culture mixed in with everything else on the Stradbally Estate. On the Hazel Wood Stage, there is always a blend of storytelling, dance, trad, and tradition combined with hard rap, drag shows and 80s cover bands all as Gaeilge. Electric Picnic is one of the biggest shows of the modern side of an Teanga Gaeilge, the fun and frenzy that comes with the sean-nós and set-dancing. EP even has a Gaeilgeoir campsite where Gaeilgeoirí can come together at the festival and do what they do best, celebrate the Irish language, and have a great time doing it! Tickets for this year’s Electric Picnic are sold out but if you’re going to be there this year and are looking to flex your cúpla focal, make sure to head down to Croí na Féile.
Chomh maith leis na himeachtaí agus na féilte ollmhóra, tá neart deiseanna ar fáil gach Samhradh agus dar ndóigh thar an bhliain ar fad, freastal ar ócáidí trí Ghaeilge fud fad na tíre. Tá meascán do gach sórt rud le feiceáil timpeall na tíre, imeachtaí a chlúdaíonn an ceol, an cultúr agus saol ealaíne na Gaeilge chomh maith.
Uaireanta tarlaíonn na féilte seo i mbailte beaga agus áiteanna éagsúla i ngach cúinne don tír ach sin mar chuid don draíocht a bhaineann leis, is aistear é chun na himeachtaí seo a aimsiú. Bhuel is aistear é ach déanta i bhfad níos éasca ag PEIG.ie a bhfuil suíomh iontach acu inar féidir le daoine teacht ar na himeachtaí agus féilte is fearr atá ar siúl le linn na bliana anseo.
