Date: 27 Feb 2026
Seachtain na Gaeilge in Donegal 2026 Officially Launched
Cathaoirleach of Coiste na Gaeilge, Donegal County Council, an Clr. Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig, officially launched Seachtain na Gaeilge in Donegal 2026 in Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí, Donegal Town on Thursday 26th February.
Among those in attendance were members of Coiste na Gaeilge alongside officials from the Council, representatives from Rannóg na Gaeilge and the Library Service, Language Planning Officers throughout the county, the school community and Board of Management.
It was a celebration full of music, poetry, dance and storytelling and the pupils from the Gaelscoil are to be commended for the entertainment they provided, alongside the grúpa airneáil in Donegal Town and Maura Lougue who captured the history of the town in her performance.
The Principal of the Gaelscoil, Eoghan Ó Gráda, welcomed those in attendance and said that it was a great privilege for the school to host the launch of this festival. Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí is an all-Irish primary school that was established in 1999 to meet the demand for primary education through the medium of Irish in Donegal Town. The school has gone from strength to strength since then, thanks to the group of parents and Gaeil who had a vision back then. The school community was without a permanent premises until last year when they moved into their new school building.
Seosamh Ó Ceallaigh, Executive Librarian with the Library Service, spoke about the importance of preserving the Irish language in Donegal Town. “Donegal Town is famous for its castle, and a castle is built when there is something valuable to protect. Like a castle, the school community protects the language and understands that they must promote the Irish language and culture outside the walls of the school and as a result, they’re building a small Gaeltacht in Donegal Town.”
Cathaoirleach of Coiste na Gaeilge, an Clr. Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig, outlined the progress made in relation to the Irish language within the Council in recent years, but acknowledged that there’s still a long way to go. He emphasised the importance of young people and ensuring that the future of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht is secure. “Young people have a central role in ensuring that the language is passed on to the next generation, but we need to ensure that housing is provided and that Gaeil have a decent wage and can afford to live in these areas. If the government is serious about this issue and if change is to come, it will not come from the politicians but from the community.”
Seachtain na Gaeilge will take place internationally from 1 - 17 March 2026 and an extensive programme of Irish language events has been organised by Rannóg na Gaeilge and the Library Service in Donegal County Council and by other community groups throughout County Donegal. Among the events taking place will be a Gardening workshop with Deirdre Ní Bhraonáin, a World Book Day celebration with Máire Zepf and Mr. Ando, a Computer Science workshop for children, the stand-up comedy show ‘Gaelgháirí’ and Irish Conversation Circles in some of the Public Service Centres.
People are encouraged to participate in the celebration regardless of their Irish language ability. “Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine”.
