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.
Linda Ervine was born into a working-class Protestant family in east Belfast. She is the manager of the first Irish language centre to be based in a loyalist area. When she began learning Irish in 2011, no one would have conceived of the idea of an Irish language centre in the heart of east Belfast but despite the many difficulties, Turas is now one of the largest providers of Irish language classes in Belfast. She is the founder of Scoil na Seolta, the first Integrated school to teach through the medium of Irish. In 2021 she was honoured to receive the MBE for her work promoting the Irish language. In 2023 she was given an honorary doctorate by Queen’s University and in 2025 she was made a member of the Royal Irish Academy as well as an honorary degree from Trinity College in June that year and an honorary degree from the Open University in October 2025. In March 2026, she was appointed to the Irish Council of State by President Catherine Connolly. About the event: Thursday 11 June | 1pm-1.45pm. This is a FREE online webinar. To book, please email us: cis@covirishsoc.org.uk with names and contact emails of all attendees. Registration closes 04 June 2026. The online link will be emailed to attendees prior to the event. With support from: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Reconciliation Fund.
Join us as we celebrate St. Patrick's Day 2026 in Coventry with events, live performances, plenty of craic and lots to discover!
Join us for a special St. Patrick's day Lunch Club from 12:30pm - 5:00pm at CIS Office, Eaton House | £10 per ticket . Blessing of the Shamrock Mass - 12pm at St Osburg's Church | Blessings of the Shamrock kindly provided by our twin City, Cork. Enjoy an Irish Stew and buffet, a special visit from St Patrick, plus live performances with music from Frankie and the McHugh School of Irish Dancers. Tickets are available at the office. Please contact us on 02476 256629 or get in touch at cis@covirishsoc.org.uk or on Facebook.
