Social Irish in Dublin

Dubliners can practice and improve their spoken Irish in a variety of interesting ways, as there is a wide-ranging support structure and a vibrant Irish-language-orientated social scene in the city. In recent years there has been growth in speaking the language as a recreational pursuit and as the backdrop to a night out. Businesses have been quick to spot the new popularity and a number of restaurants and clubs now cater for those wishing to speak Irish socially. Dublin is also home to the headquarters of many organizations that promote the language and different aspects of its usage in daily life.

For those of you who would like a few structured lessons before embarking on the social scene, the local public library is a good place to start. The library can provide you with a list of classes in your area:  there are classes ranging from beginner to advanced level, citywide. You can also borrow language tapes and CDs where you can do your own level of course in your own time.

The Central Library in The Ilac Centre on Henry Street runs a weekly Saturday morning informal conversation group from 10.30 to 12.00. Every level is welcome to these lively exchanges and all these library facilities are free.

Gaeilge Shóisialta i mBaile Átha Cliath

Grianghraf de ghrúpa comhrá na Gaeilge sa leabharlann Iárnach, Baile Átha Cliath

Photograph of Irish Language conversation group in The Central Library, Dublin

By kind permission of Dublin City Public Libraries

Grianghraf de ghrúpa comhrá na Gaeilge sa leabharlann Iárnach, Baile Átha Cliath
By kind permission of Dublin City Public Libraries

Grianghraf de ghrúpa comhrá na Gaeilge sa leabharlann Iárnach, Baile Átha Cliath

Photograph of Irish Language conversation group in The Central Library, Dublin

By kind permission of Dublin City Public Libraries

Enlarge image

Is féidir le muintir Bhaile Átha Cliath a gcuid Gaeilge labhartha a chleachtadh agus a fheabhsú ar go leor bealaí spéisiúla toisc go bhfuil struchtúr fairsing tacaíochta agus saol caidrimh bríomhar acu sa chathair atá dírithe ar an nGaeilge. Le blianta beaga anuas tá fás tagtha ar labhairt na teanga mar chaitheamh aimsire agus mar mhaise ar oíche amuigh. Ní raibh aon mhoill ar ghnólachtaí an móréileamh seo a aithint, agus tá roinnt bialanna agus clubanna ag freastal cheana féin ar na daoine a dteastaíonn uathu an Ghaeilge a labhairt go sóisialta. Ina theanntasan, tá a gceannárais i mBaile Átha Cliath ag mórán eagraíochtaí a chuireann an teanga agus a húsáid chun cinn ar bhealaí éagsúla sa saol laethúil.

Daoibhse, ar mian libh roinnt ceachtanna struchtúrtha a fháil sula dtugann sibh faoin saol sóisialta, níl áit is fearr le tosú ná sa leabharlann poiblí áitiúil. Is féidir leis an leabharlann liosta a sholáthar de ranganna sa cheantar, mar tá ranganna ar fáil ar fud na cathrach, ó leibhéal an tosaitheora go dtí an t-ardleibhéal. Is féidir, freisin, téipeanna agus dlúthdhioscaí a fháil ar iasacht, chun cúrsa a dhéanamh ag do leibhéal féin agus i d'am féin. Sa Leabharlann Láir, i Lárionad Ilac ar Shráid Anraí, bíonn grúpa comhrá neamhfhoirmeálta á reáchtáil go seachtainiúil gach maidin Sathairn ó 10.30 go 12.00. Cuirtear fáilte roimh gach leibhéal cumais ag na comhráití bríomhara seo agus bíonn áiseanna uile na leabharlainne ar fáil saor in aisce.