Seachtain na Gaeilge
Encyclopedia
Seachtain na Gaeilge is a non-profit organisation which aims to promote the Irish language
during a two week festival held at the beginning of March every year. (In the weeks preceding Saint Patrick's Day
).
The festival was originally set up by Conradh na Gaeilge
in 1903, and Seachtain na Gaeilge is now sponsored by Foras na Gaeilge
.
Events during the festival range from music sessions, to speed-dating, to street Céilís. Over 150,000 people of all ranges of fluency in Irish take part, including thousands of children from schools and youth clubs in Ireland
.
The festival motto is "Croí na Teanga – It’s You!". (The Heart of the Language – It’s You!)
As part of the celebration, compilation CDs have been released in the past number of years. These albums feature Irish acts singing their popular hits in the Irish language. Called SnaG '05, Ceol '06
, Ceol '07
and Ceol '08
etc, these albums have included songs from Paddy Casey
, Mundy
, The Frames
, and The Corrs
. The Ceol '07 compilation featured a return of some of the artists from previous albums and debuts from Damien Dempsey
, Bell X1
and Declan O'Rourke
. Proceeds from the sale of these albums have been donated to the charity Concern
.
In 2010, SnaG will coincide with Rith
, a relay race
in support of Irish, modelled on the Basque
Korrika
.
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
during a two week festival held at the beginning of March every year. (In the weeks preceding Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday celebrated internationally on 17 March. It commemorates Saint Patrick , the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of :Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion , the Eastern...
).
The festival was originally set up by Conradh na Gaeilge
Conradh na Gaeilge
Conradh na Gaeilge is a non-governmental organisation that promotes the Irish language in Ireland and abroad. The motto of the League is Sinn Féin, Sinn Féin amháin .-Origins:...
in 1903, and Seachtain na Gaeilge is now sponsored by Foras na Gaeilge
Foras na Gaeilge
Foras na Gaeilge is the governing body of the Irish language, responsible for the promotion of the language throughout the island of Ireland. Its name can be translated into English as "The Irish Language Body", although the body has no official English-language name...
.
Events during the festival range from music sessions, to speed-dating, to street Céilís. Over 150,000 people of all ranges of fluency in Irish take part, including thousands of children from schools and youth clubs in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
The festival motto is "Croí na Teanga – It’s You!". (The Heart of the Language – It’s You!)
As part of the celebration, compilation CDs have been released in the past number of years. These albums feature Irish acts singing their popular hits in the Irish language. Called SnaG '05, Ceol '06
Ceol 06
Ceol 06 is a 26-track double album of songs in Irish, to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge. It sees the combination of established acts such as The Corrs and The Frames, alongside newer talents such as Traic Ó Braonáin and Ross Breen....
, Ceol '07
Ceol '07
Ceol '07 is a 17-track double album of songs in Irish, to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge. It sees the combination of established acts such as the BellX1, Mundy and the Corrs, alongside newer talents such as Fiach and Claire Sproule....
and Ceol '08
Ceol '08
Ceol 'O8 is a 17-track double album of songs in Irish, to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge. It sees the combination of established acts such as the Delorentos, Mundy and the Coronas, alongside newer talents such as Luan Parle and Gemma Hayes....
etc, these albums have included songs from Paddy Casey
Paddy Casey
Patrick "Paddy" Casey is an Irish singer-songwriter from Dublin. Paddy was discovered by Sony A&R Scout Hugh Murray at the International Bar in Dublin, while performing at the singer/songwriter night hosted by Dave Murphy...
, Mundy
Mundy
Mundy is an Irish singer-songwriter. 'Mundy' is a nickname given to Enright, as it not only refers to his name Edmund, but it is how he pronounces the word "Monday".-Biography:...
, The Frames
The Frames
The Frames are an Irish band based in Dublin. Founded in 1990 by Glen Hansard, the band has been influential in the Dublin rock music scene. The group has released six albums...
, and The Corrs
The Corrs
The Corrs are an Irish band which combine pop rock with traditional Celtic folk music. The brother and sisters are from Dundalk, Ireland. The group consists of the Corr siblings: Andrea ; Sharon ; Caroline ; and Jim .The Corrs came to international prominence with their performance at the...
. The Ceol '07 compilation featured a return of some of the artists from previous albums and debuts from Damien Dempsey
Damien Dempsey
Damien Dempsey is an Irish singer and songwriter who mixes traditional Irish folk with contemporary lyrics to deliver social comment on the positive and negative aspects arising from Ireland's Celtic Tiger society.-Early life:...
, Bell X1
Bell X1
Bell X1 are an Irish rock band from County Kildare in Ireland. They have released five albums which received much acclaim in Ireland.. They have represented Ireland in the Eurosonic Festival in Groningen, received several major award nominations and headlined several festivals in their own country...
and Declan O'Rourke
Declan O'Rourke
Declan O'Rourke is a 33 year old platinum record singer/songwriter from Dublin, Ireland.-Career:At the age of 13, when living in Australia with his family, O'Rourke was given his first guitar by a priest in Kyabram who recognised his potential and love for music, hence the title of his debut album...
. Proceeds from the sale of these albums have been donated to the charity Concern
Concern Worldwide
Concern Worldwide is Ireland's largest aid and humanitarian agency. Since its foundation over 40 years ago it has worked in 50 countries and currently employs 3,200 staff in 25 countries around the world. Concern works to help those living in the world's poorest countries to achieve real and...
.
In 2010, SnaG will coincide with Rith
Rith
Rith is a relay race organised in support of the Irish language. It was held for the first time in 2010 and coincided with Seachtain na Gaeilge, the Week of the Irish Language...
, a relay race
Relay race
During a relay race, members of a team take turns running, orienteering, swimming, cross-country skiing, biathlon, or ice skating parts of a circuit or performing a certain action. Relay races take the form of professional races and amateur games...
in support of Irish, modelled on the Basque
Basque language
Basque is the ancestral language of the Basque people, who inhabit the Basque Country, a region spanning an area in northeastern Spain and southwestern France. It is spoken by 25.7% of Basques in all territories...
Korrika
Korrika
The Korrika, or Running, is an exhibition race held bi-annually in the Basque Country in order to celebrate and support the Basque language....
.