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President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins to Speak at Historic Conradh na Gaeilge Ard-Fheis in Dublin Castle

Aoine na hArd-Fheise 2016President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, will give his first major speech in Irish this year before officially launching Seachtain na Gaeilge 2016

The 2016 Conradh na Gaeilge Ard-Fheis will be held in Dublin this weekend from 26 – 27 February 2016 and President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins,will give his first major speech in Irish this year in George’s Hall of Dublin Castle, Dame Street, Dublin 2, at 8.00pm on the Friday of the Ard-Fheis (26 February 2016). Following his speech, President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins will officially launch Seachtain na Gaeilge 2016, an international Irish-language festival that will inspire over 750,000 people around the world to use Irish during the festival from 1 – 17 March 2016 again this year.

Cóilín Ó Cearbhaill, President of Conradh na Gaeilge says:

“It is a huge honour for Conradh na Gaeilge to have the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins present at this year’s Ard-Fheis, especially considering that this will be his first major speech in Irish during this historic and momentous year. President Higgins was always a loyal activist on behalf of the Irish language, from his contribution in establishing an Irish-language television station, to the continuous support he has shown the Language Commissioner.

“Not only will the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins examine the history of the revival in his speech at the Conradh na Gaeilge Ard-Fheis, but he will also discuss the meaning of a true Republic and the future of the Irish language, therefore he is sure to interest both Ard-Fheis attendees and members of the general public alike with what he has to say on Friday.”

Following his speech, the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, will officially launch Seachtain na Gaeilge 2016, and information on local events being organised for the festival will be available online at www.snag.ie as well as being published by county in the special SULT magazine as part of the Irish Daily Mail on Saturday (27 February 2016).

Brenda Ní Ghairbhí, Manager of Seachtain na Gaeilge & Awareness Campaigns with Conradh na Gaeilge says:

“Over 200 community groups will be celebrating and partaking in Seachtain na Gaeilge around the world again this year, and Irish will be heard at a variety of events including the Gaeilge Cois Trá festival with the Freedom Surf School in Waterford, at an evening of song in Kansas in the United States, at the Seo Linn concert in St. Stephen’s Green, and at the launch of a collection of short stories in Prague from 1 – 17 March 2016. In addition to all that, there will be a special commemoration of the role the Irish language played in the vision of the Easter Rising leaders in 1916 with a special festival, Féile na Físe, in schools on 15 March 2016. Join us and try out your Irish – bain triail aisti!”

Rith 2016 – a national relay run and biennial festival running over 11 days and covering 2,600 kilometres this year – will also visit every county in Ireland to inspire 50,000 people to celebrate the Irish language from 4 – 14 March 2016 as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge 2016.

Following the launch of Seachtain na Gaeilge 2016 in Dublin Castle, the role that Conradh na Gaeilge played in the vision of the Easter 1916 leaders will be up for debate with a Plé 16 seminar entitled Conradh na Gaeilge agus Saoirse Intinne starting at 8.30pm on Friday night (26 February 2016). The Plé 16 seminar is being held at the Ard-Fheis as part of Conradh na Gaeilge’s 2016 Commemoration Programme, and the panel of experts speaking at the seminar includes Peadar Kirby, Professor Emeritus, University of Limerick; Regina Uí Chollatáin, Head of School, School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore, University College, Dublin (UCD); Colm Ó Néill, Vice-President, the Union of Students in Ireland (USI); and Cóilín Ó Cearbhaill, President, Conradh na Gaeilge.

There is no cost associated with any event on Friday of the Conradh na Gaeilge 2016 Ard-Fheis, but names must be forwarded to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for inclusion on the waiting list.

CONRADH NA GAEILGE 2016 ARD-FHEIS:

 

Conradh na Gaeilge 2016 Ard-Fheis on Facebook: on.fb.me/1QfUtR0

Conradh na Gaeilge 2016 Ard-Fheis on Twitter: #AFCnaG @CnaG

 

The Conradh na Gaeilge 2016 Ard-Fheis will be held in Dublin from 26 – 27 February 2016 and will commemorate the importance of the Irish language for both the leaders of the Easter 1916 Rising and the general public throughout the island at that time. It will be a unique occasion with the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, in attendance to launch Seachtain na Gaeilge 2016 in Dublin Castle on the Friday of the Ard-Fheis, while there will be a special dinner held in the Trinity College dining hall on Saturday night. A wide range of events have been planned through Irish for families, branch members, individual members, and the general public in the capital throughout the weekend, and the full Ard-Fheis programme can be found below. Ard-Fheis Dinner Tickets: €50. Registration & Bookings: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Friday, 26 February 2016
Dublin Castle

19.00 Reception

20.00 Speech and Launch of Seachtain na Gaeilge 2016

- President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins

20.30 Plé 16 Seminar: Conradh na Gaeilge agus Saoirse Intinne

- Peadar Kirby, Professor Emeritus, University of Limerick

- Regina Uí Chollatáin, Head of School, School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore, UCD

- Colm Ó Néill, Vice-President, AMLÉ

- Cóilín Ó Cearbhaill, President, Conradh na Gaeilge

Saturday, 27 February 2016
Dublin Castle

09.30 Development of Conradh na Gaeilge

10.00 Ard-Fheis Business

- Discussion of the motions in order of priority

- Conradh na Gaeilge

- Reports from associated organisations of Conradh na Gaeilge

- President of Conradh na Gaeilge’s speech

Saturday, 27 February 2016
Dublin City Centre

14.00 – 17.00 Family Day through Irish throughout Dublin city

- History tours

- Museums

- Cultural centres

- Events for families

- Conversation circles

- Guided tours of Mansion House with the Lord Mayor Críona Ní Dhálaigh at 15.00 & 16.00

Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2

14.00 Turas Gaeilge

Jack FitzGerald will give a free guided tour of the Chester Beatty Library in Irish and free tea or coffee will be provided after the tour.

The Band Stand, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2

14.00 Open-air concert with Seo Linn

Seachtain na Gaeilge 2016 ambassadors Seo Linn will be playing a mixture of traditional and modern Irish music on what will hopefully be a lovely spring afternoon! It’s a free concert, open-air, and all are welcome.

Conradh na Gaeilge, 6 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2

14.00 – 17.00 Bilingual exhibition: Athbheochan na Gaeilge agus Éirí Amach na Cásca | The Revival of the Irish Language and the Easter Rising

The Bell Tower, Campe Nile, Trinity College, Dublin 2

14.30 Irish-language tour of Trinity College Dublin

A student from Scéim Chónaithe Choláiste na Tríonóide, Trinity College’s Irish-Language Residency Scheme, will take visitors on a guided tour of the campus in Irish, starting at the Bell Tower, Campe Nile, at 2.30pm. Following the tour, visitors will be able to gain entry to the Old Library and the Book of Kells with an Irish-language brochure for the reduced price of €5.

Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2

Guided tours of Mansion House with the Lord Mayor Críona Ní Dhálaigh at 15.00 & 16.00

15.00 Irish-Language Tour of Mansion House

16.00 Irish-Language Tour of Mansion House

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Críona Ní Dhálaigh, will provide a special welcome for the public to come to visit Mansion House, and she will personally give a free guided tour of the House in Irish. Mansion House holds an important place in Irish history; built in 1710, many historic events have unfolded there since that time, including the First Dáil Assembly which was held in the Round Room on 21 January 1919.

Saturday, 27 February 2016
Trinity College Dining Hall, Dublin 2

19.00 Reception with music

- Trinity College Tradsoc

19.30 Talk before the meal: Réabhlóid: Conradh, Teanga, Coláiste na Tríonóide

- Dr Éamonn Ó Ciardha, Lecturer in Irish/English Literary & Historical Studies, University of Ulster

19.45 Short drama

- Cumann Gaelach Choláiste na Tríonóide, Trinity College’s Irish-Language Society

20.00 Ard-Fheis Dinner in association with Oifig na Gaeilge, Trinity College’s Irish-Language Office

- Presentation of Gradaim Chonradh na Gaeilge 2016 awards

- Auction

- Céilí agus music with Rónán Ó Snodaigh (Kíla) & other musicians

 

 

Conradh na Gaeilge

6 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2.
Phone: +353 (0) 1 475 7401, Fax: +353 (0) 1 475 7844, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.