Irish language festival Féile le Chéile returns to Derry next month

Féile le Chéile returns to Derry next month with a programme full to the brim of the Irish language and culture.

Organisers are encouraging the public to join Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin between September 7-28 in celebrating the past 15 years spent in their home on Great James’ Street, and 40 years since the organisation started teaching Irish language lessons in the city.

The festival features a wide range of events, catering for those interested in picking up a casual cúpla focal (few words) while enjoying first-rate traditional Irish music at their late-night Coisír Tí (House Party), to those wanting to get stuck into some creative writing as Gaeilge with a workshop led by local writer, Dara Collins.

If you’re someone who enjoys sharing your creative talents, you can check out their Oíche Cois Tine (Fireside Night), and for anyone who prefers sitting back to let the likes of award-winning troupe Áirc Damhsa take the lead, you’re very much in luck.

Siubhán Nic Amhlaoibh shared the motivation for organising the festival this year.

“We're thrilled to be able to celebrate 15 years in our home on Great James Street,” she said. “The building itself was an architectural wonder at the time it was built and it's hard to believe we have been here 15 years - we've made ourselves very much at home.

“It's also 40 years this year since a handful of our very passionate volunteers first began teaching the Irish language in the city. What started off with small classes in Dove House has certainly grown over the past 40 years.

“These days, we’re delighted to be hosting our weekly classes for over 400 Irish language learners, and over 300 traditional Irish musicians.

“These celebrations are dedicated to everybody who made such a huge reach possible, to our current community who we see day-to-day in the Cultúrlann and in the Acadamh, and to those who cheer us on from afar.

“Over the past year, we've undertaken a great deal of research into the history of the Irish language in the city, and people's current attitudes to it. In the spirit of Féile Le Chéile (a festival together) many volunteers have contributed their stories, their feelings, and their own research, which we’re excited to be presenting as part of the programme.

“Around that, as always, there will be plenty of music, lots of Irish, and even some dancing to see us through the month. Agus beidh fáilte romhat.”

For more information, you can visit the organisation’s website at www.culturlann.org/event, and follow the organisation’s social media at @culturlanndoire on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

For any further queries, you can contact eolas@culturlann.org, call (+44) 028 7126 4132, or visit the building at 37 Great James’ Street, Derry, BT48 7DF.