A wonderful Irish speaker who has spent a very full life working with people on the margins is coming to Claregalway to take charge of our ‘Ciorcal Comhrá’ at The Arches Hotel this Autumn.

Having spent much of his life working as a priest in South America, where he served the poorest of people in Chile and Brazil, Gearóid Willie O Fátharta is an acclaimed writer, an Irish community activist, a former Columban missionary priest, and author from Cois Fharraige in Connemara.

He will join us on Thursday nights at The Arches Hotel from Thursday, October 2, where he will take charge of two conversation circles. Please note that we are changing the format this year!

The first ‘ciorcal’ from 7 to 8pm will be aimed at learners and those who feel they have forgotten their Irish since school. Gearoid Willie will spark a love of Irish among learners and those with a little fear of the language, thanks to his own deep love for Gaeilge.

The second ‘ciorcal’ from 8 to 9pm will be more of a social event for those who are more comfortable with the language, and people are welcome to drop in for either session at The Arches Hotel.

These conversation circles will run for eight weeks, in conjunction with the Irish classes at the same venue on Tuesdays, and we hope to extend them if there is sufficient interest.

Gearoid Willie was recently nominated for the Irish language Book of the Year for ‘Mo Scéal Fhéin’ and we are delighted to welcome him to Gaeltacht an Eachréidh on Thursday evenings. Pop in at either 7pm (learners / “rusty” speakers) or 8pm (more proficient Irish speakers) from Thursday, October 1.

Learners and people who haven’t spoken Irish for a good while are especially welcome to join us for the first hour.

Gearóid Willie is looking forward to meeting both Irish speakers and learners at The Arches Hotel on the evening of October 1 – just one night after the winner of the Irish Language Book of the Year is announced at An Taibhdhearc in Galway!

Bígi linn!