Irish Language Immersion Day

The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England will hold its fifteenth Lá na Gaeilge (Irish Language Day) on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Elms College in Chicopee, MA. It is an opportunity for those with an interest in this ancient language, which is now enjoying a resurgence, to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of this vital component of Irish culture. The program consists of two classes available at four levels: a beginner’s class, a class for those who have an introductory knowledge of Irish, an intermediate-level class and a class for advanced learners. Download a registration form.

This year’s theme is the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising (Éirí Amach na Cásca), an armed insurrection for independence from British rule which took place in Ireland during Easter week, 1916.

As well as formal classes, Lá na Gaeilge consists of workshops (one on Tin Whistle, another on Dance), and Cómhrás (opportunities for conversation and dialog at the learner’s appropriate level).  A keynote address will be given by Dr. Thomas Moriarty, retired history professor at Elms College, on the 1916 uprising. Also participating will be Síle Dolan, of Cloghan, County Offaly, this year’s Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant, who is teaching introductory and intermediate level Irish at Elms College. Lá na Gaeilge concludes in a seisiún with an opportunity for participants to display their musical talents, and all are encouraged to bring their instruments and voices.

Lá na Gaeilge begins with registration at 8:30 am and concludes at about 5:00 pm. The cost is $50 per person, and $40 for ICC members. The cost for college-age and under students is $15. The price includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day. Lá na Gaeilge is a unique opportunity to encourage and promote Irish language learning at all levels. Registrations are due by April 25 – please download a registration form. For further information contact the ICC office at 413-265-2537 or email at irishcenter@elms.edu.