BAIN SULT AS AN TEANGA AGUS AN FHÉILE! – GAELSPRAOI 2010
‘Gaeilge’ is the language of choice at the 2010 St. Patrick’s Festival
St. Patrick’s Festival, Friday 12th – Wednesday 17th March 2010
March 2010
Gaelspraoi, this “Fringe” style Irish language event running as part of St. Patrick’s Festival 2010 is supported by Foras na Gaeilge and Spin 1038. In recognition and celebration of our native tongue, St. Patrick’s Festival has created a kaleidoscope of events and entertainment, all of which promote and encourage the use of the Irish language.
Gaelspraoi kicks off on Friday, 12th March with a weekend packed full of Irish language tours, workshops and more, taking place in Hugh Lane Gallery, Croke Park and the National Museum and suitable for all ages. For those yearning for a trip back to summer school days, teenagers (and their parents!) can relive their Gaeltacht experience on Friday 12th March in Gaisce in Fimbase, Temple Bar, in a game show with great prizes, céilí dancing and lots more on offer guaranteed to bring the memories flooding back!
Discover the city of Dublin as Gaeilge on Saturday, 13th March and take part in the Festival Treasure Hunt. A bi-lingual event, this hunt will take you to hidden and well-known places of interest in the City with plenty of spot prizes and spraoi up for grabs along the way. Having wowed the crowds at Electric Picnic, Phuball Gaelige is set to wow Festival-goers at Big Day Out taking place on Sunday, 14th March from 12-6pm on Merrion Square. This ‘Irish Tent’ is packed full of comedy, karaoke, shows and music - all as gaeilge. Especially for the Festival’s younger audience, children aged 7-9 years can join the Púca Puppets and help Storybear tell his special St. Patrick’s Day stories on Monday, 15th March in Axis Arts Centre, Ballymun.
After last year’s roaring success, Cabaret Craiceáilte is back – the ultimate Gaeltacht experience with an array of Sean Nós music and dance. Rónán Mac Aodh Bhuí brings the cabaret to Dublin on St. Patrick’s Eve in The Odeon on Harcourt Street. You are promised a wild night with performances from Bréag Ireland’s best reggae band and many more acts. Cabaret Craiceáilte takes place on Tuesday, 16th March from 9pm in the Odeon Bar, Harcourt Street Dublin 2. Tickets are priced at €10 and available from www.stpatricksfestival.ie
Those in the mood for some early evening dancing on St. Patrick’s Eve can join ‘Riverdancer’ Dearbhla Lennon at the Festival Céilí from 4pm in St. Stephen’s Green. There is nothing like stepping out to favourites such as The Seige of Ennis and The Walls of Limerick to get you in the spirit for St. Patrick’s Day!
Bringing Gaelspraoi to a close and offering an alternative and much more serene way to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day is Na Cnocadóirí, who will take to the hills (on foot!) to experience the fresh Irish air in the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains www.cnocadoiri.com for more information. Gaelspraoi, supported by Foras na Gaeilge and Spin 1038, is just some of the many thrilling events taking place this year during the six-day national celebration running from Friday 12th until Wednesday 17th March. Celebrating its 15th Anniversary, St Patrick’s Festival promises the very best in street theatre, an explosive fireworks display, traditional and contemporary Irish music, comedy, film, visual arts, dance, a treasure hunt, family fun and of course the world’s best St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Get on board the Carousel of fun and make the Festival yours! Check out www.stpatricksfestival.ie for a full list of events, follow us on Twitter @stpatricksfest or be our friend on Facebook Patricks Fest. You can also download the Festival App by texting PATSFEST to 51315* or visit The App Store for the free iPhone App.
* Cost of text is standard rate text (max 14 cent). Free iPhone Ap on iTunes App Store.
ENDS.
For more information, images and interviews please contact:
Alison Kelly / Paula Donaghy
Insight Consultants
086 195 5722 / 085 121 8495
alison@insightconsultants.ie / paula@insightconsultants.ie / press@stpatricksfestival.ie