Give your Grá to Gaeilge for Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia 2018
Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia is calling on people to give their grá to Gaeilge this Valentine’s Day as they announce plans of Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia 2018.
The organisation released a special guide at the launch of Seachtain na Gaeilge le Enegia at Croke Park today (13.02.18) which outlines different ways to get involved in the festival online and through events.
Also announced at the launch today were the 2018 ambassadors for the festival, which include: Snapchat star James Patrice, All Star winner Noel McGrath and TG4 weather presenter Caitlín Nic Aoidh.
The ambassadors were specifically chosen due to their various levels of Irish to encourage people of various levels to get involved. Commenting on his involvement with the campaign, James Patrice said: “I’m thrilled to be an ambassador for Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia this year. I love languages and I’m delighted to see more and more young people using their cúpla focal.
“I want people to use their Gaeilge with me on Snapchat @jamespatrice or on Insta and chat to their friends as Gaeilge online. It would be amazing to see everyone online really having a go for Seachtain na Gaeilge. Don’t worry about making mistakes, every effort counts!”
At the launch today, Caitlín also encouraged people to use as much Gaeilge as possible: “It’s all about using the cúpla focail that you have. People say they don’t have any Irish, but it’s not true. Most people in the country have a certain amount of Irish and it’s worth using the phrases you have, when you can and don’t ever be afraid of making mistakes! I think that’s one of the main things that turns people off – they’re afraid to speak it in case they make a mistake, but people are actually just delighted to hear others talking as Gaeilge.”
Speaking at the launch, Conchubhair Mac Lochlainn, Chairman of Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia said: “The three ambassadors have different fluency of Irish and we’re hoping this will show people that it doesn’t matter what standard of Irish you have, you shouldn’t be afraid to use it.
This year as part of Bliain na Gaeilge we’re hoping to entice more people than ever to take part in Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia.”
Title sponsor for a second year, Energia, have been actively promoting the Irish language since the beginning of their partnership with Seachtain na Gaeilge.
Commenting at the launch of the festival today, Amy O’Shaughnessey, Marketing Acquisitions and Sponsorship Manager for Energia said: “Energia are very proud of our partnership with the Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia festival. Like all ‘Clever Humans’ we recognise the huge importance of the Irish language and we’re delighted that our sponsorship helps to support so many grass root events all over the country. We’ll be making the effort to use more Irish in our offices and with our customers from 1 - 17 March and encourage everyone to do the same.”
The annual Seachtain na Gaeilge festival is the biggest international Irish language festival and takes place every year in March. This year’s festival runs from 1st – 17th of March with thousands of activities taking place all over the world to celebrate Ireland’s native tongue. A full list of Seachtain na Gaeilge events and activities can be accessed from: www.snag.ie
