Lá Mór na Gaeilge - Irish Language Day 2025
January 24, 2025
Join us for Irish Language Day 2025 on Saturday 8 March!
The Coventry Irish Society are delighted to open registration for this year’s Lá na Gaeilge / Irish Language Day which will take place on Saturday 8 March 2025, for all levels, as part of the Coventry Irish Society’s St Patrick’s Festival and Seachtain na Gaeilge 2025 (Irish language week).
Áit / Location: Ground Floor, Quaker Meeting House, Hill
Street, Coventry CV1 4AN
Arrival: 9.15 – 9.25 am
Session ends approximately 11.10 am to allow a short break before the next activity. The group are welcome to stay together, on location, during the break.
Múinteoir / Teacher: Nollaig Doughan
The session will be suitable for all levels and will include various activities, including the opportunity to learn the Irish National Anthem, as Gaeilge (which might come in handy for the rugby later!).
2. Síulóid / Bilingual Walking Tour of Coventry
12.00: A fascinating síulóid /walking tour around historical city centre sites will be led by Christy Evans and will take
approximately one hour.
Christy writes a column, in Irish, for The Irish World. Christy is a gaeilgeoir and has dedicated his life to teaching and promoting Irish. His notable achievements include being the European Commission Language Ambassador for Irish, Winner of The Pride of Ireland Award 2007, and Founder of Coláiste na nGael. Coláiste na nGael - Wikipedia
Christy has written a short Irish / English guide booklet on Coventry and this will be provided to participants on the day.
The meeting point and end location are TBC, but will be around the Cathedral / Broadgate area of Coventry.
Adults booked on the tour may bring children with them, free of charge (1x child per parent / guardian / carer who is fully
responsible for the child’s supervision and care at all times). Please ensure that a child’s place is booked in advance, at the
same time as purchasing the adult’s ticket. Attendees should wear comfortable footwear and suitable outdoor clothing as this will be an outdoor event. They may also wish to bring a drink / light snack.
3. Free-time or option to join the language group for the Six Nations Rugby (Ireland v France)
Áit / location: The Hearsall Inn, Craven Street, Coventry CV5 8DS
Am / Time: approximately 1.45 pm – 4.15 pm.
This part of the day is not formally organised by the Coventry Irish Society and so we cannot reserve seating (or control the
result!!), but we do hope that Irish speakers will stay together to keep speaking Irish and to sing the Anthem, as Gaeilge!
4. 7.00 pm Pop Up Gaeltacht & Bilingual Quiz
Áit / Location: The Hearsall Inn, Craven Street, Coventry CV5
8DS
Am / Time: 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm
Over 18s only
Tickets
Adult Full Day Ticket
£10 members / £12 non-members. This includes the Taster Session, Walking Tour & Evening Quiz.
Adult Half Day Ticket
£6 members / £8 non-members. This includes the Walking Tour & Evening Quiz.
This will be a popular day and advance booking is essential. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Tickets do not include food / drink. Admission to watch the rugby game is free.
Please contact Caroline Brogan, at caroline.brogan@covirishsoc.org.uk or telephone 024 7625 6629, or visit our office at Eaton House during office hours, to obtain a booking form and arrange advance payment. On receipt of payment, a confirmation email will be sent to you as proof of booking.
Leibhéal / Level: The day is suitable for all levels, from fluent speakers, to beginners. Where possible, we will try to tailor the level of Irish to the attendee. All activities will be bilingual.
Ag Tosnú 18ú Mean Fómhair @ 6:00 i.n. - 07:30 i.n. agus ag leanúint ar aghaidh gach Déardaoin go dtí am Nollag. Course commences on Thursday 18 September 2025. 12 x classes every Thursday evening. Classes will be classroom based, in-person (except for the occasional class on Zoom when circumstances make it difficult for the class to meet in-person, such as adverse weather) Please note that due to other events, there will not be a classroom based in-person class on Thursday 16 th and 23 rd October 2025. The teacher will discuss alternative arrangements during the course with students (which may include taking a break, changing to another evening, or proceeding on Zoom) and will take on board student preferences. Post Beginners Oiriúnacht (Suitability) Anybody who has completed a comprehensive Beginners’ Course (of around six months) or anybody with a previous knowledge (e.g. having learned Irish at school) and who is returning after a break. Fáinne Airgid The group will prepare for this, with the option to do the exam late Spring / early Summer 2026. For those students who do not wish to do the exam, they will still benefit greatly from the preparation work. We will integrate the prep work into the normal classes for everybody, with a greater emphasis on the Fáinne Airgid during the Spring course commencing in 2026. The teacher will discuss and explain this in more detail to the class in September 2025. Leabhair (Books) Must Have - Irish for Beginners (Usborne) agus Briathra na Gaeilge - Regular and Irregular Verbs (Folens) Nice to Have - Buntús Cainte Part 1. Registering for this course: Please see a member of staff in the office, or contact by email: cis@covirishsoc.org.uk or telephone 024 7625 6629 to complete registration. Registration closes 11 September 2025. Total Course Fee £80 per student for members of the Coventry Irish Society / £85 per student for non-members. The course fee is for a course consisting of 12x classes and is payable in advance to the Coventry Irish Society by 11 December 2025. Entry on to the course is only permitted once payment has been made in full. If there are any difficulties with paying the full fee in advance, then please discuss with a member of staff before registration closes on 11 September. The course fee is non-refundable.
We are delighted to announce our new Ciorcal Comhrá (conversation circle) for advanced Irish speakers. Join us on the first Wednesday of the month from 11am-12noon for a relaxed and informal conversation circle - an opportunity for conversation and craic with fellow Gaeilgeoirs. Saor in aisce | Free and drop-in. No booking required! Upcoming sessions: First Wednesday of the month 11.00 am – 12.00 noon Dé Céadaoin 3 Meán Fómhair Wednesday 3 September 2025 Dé Céadaoin 8 Deireadh Fómhair Wednesday 8 October 2025 Dé Céadaoin 5 Samhain Wednesday 5 November 2025 Dé Céadaoin 3 Nollaig Wednesday 3 December 2025 Áit - The Coventry Irish Society, 2nd Floor, Eaton House Eaton Road, Coventry CV1 2FJ Any questions, please contact: cis@covirishsoc.org.uk
Our annual ball is back for 2025! We’re thrilled to announce that our Annual Ball 2025 will be held on Saturday 27 September at Christ The King Parish Centre Join us for an unforgettable evening of celebration, music, & dancing Tickets priced at £30. To book your place, please call in to our office at Eaton House, or telephone us on 024 7625 6629
