Seachtain na Gaeilge 1st – 17th March 2025

Paddy O’Brien
Storyteller Paddy O’Brien will present events for schools and Ciorcail Cainte groups in Charleville, Bandon, Skibbereen, Youghal, Clonakilty, and Kinsale. 

Paddy, a former teacher, has been engaging audiences of all ages with stories in Irish and English. He is one of Cork County Council’s three storytellers in residence for the West Cork Islands, alongside Nuala Hayes and Simone Schuemmelfeder.

Paddy will be with Ciorcail Cainte Groups in Charleville Library on March 1st, Youghal Library at 11am on Tuesday 4th March, Bandon Library at 10.30am, Skibbereen Library at 3pm and in Clonakilty Library at 11am on Friday 7th March. He will visit Kinsale Library at 3.30pm on Tuesday 11th March.

New members are always welcome to Ciorcail Cainte; please contact your local branch for information.

Seachtain na Gaeilge with Áine Ní Ghlinn
Children and young people’s author Áine Ní Ghlinn will be visiting primary schools in Réidh na nDóirí, Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh, Baile Bhuirne, Cill na Martra, Cúil Aodha and Clondrohid. Áine held the prestigious title of Laureate na nÓg from 2020 – 2023 and was the first Children’s Laureate to write exclusively in Irish. Áine’s latest book, Ag Buzzáil sa Gháirdín, will be released as part of World Book Day, where children across Ireland receive book tokens to purchase books.

Torcán
Torcán will play gigs in Gaelscoil Carrig Uí Leign and Gaelcholáiste Carrig Uí Leighinn as part of this year’s programme.  Torcán are a new-style Trad band based in Cork. Led by Jason Turk, multi-medalist at the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil, and his brother Robin. Joined by Seán Murphy and Brian Leach from Co. Cork and more recently All Ireland Bodhrán champion Karl Nesbitt, these talented musicians create a rich and complex sound from the piano accordion, whistle, saxophone, fiddle, bazouki, electric bass, guitar, and bodhrán.

Creative Careers
Torcán will also take part in the Creative Careers in Irish live webinar series for post-primary students. The programme runs from Thursday 6th until Thursday 27th March. Post-Primary classes are invited to webinars that look at the variety of creative careers available to Irish speakers and those who are committed to promoting Irish traditional arts in a contemporary way. Torcán will be joined by musician and artist Ceara Conway, broadcaster and teacher Ray Cuddihy, musician and drag artist Tadhg Griffin and writer and broadcaster Manchán Magan. Schools are invited to sign up for these free webinars by emailing [email protected] or calling 021 4285995.