Jarlath Brennan and Tomás Ó Flatharta treated us to more than an hour of songs ‘as Gaeilge’ at the Christmas Party at The Arches Hotel. Photograph by Ciaran Tierney. 

A year in which there was a huge revival in interest in the Irish language in Claregalway, Annaghdown, and Carnmore was celebrated at a Christmas party at The Arches Hotel recently.

It was fitting that the Gaeltacht an Eachréidh celebration took place at The Arches, a venue which has hosted a number of successful Irish language events and classes throughout 2025.

Following an hour of conversation and finger food, musicians Jarlath Brennan and Tomás O Flatharta produced their guitars and treated participants to more than an hour of songs in our native language.

Gaeltacht an Eachréidh organised the party to thank those who have taken part in Irish language classes, conversation circles, quizzes, and outdoor events throughout the past year.

The Arches has hosted a very successful weekly ‘Ciorcal Comhrá’ since the first ‘Pop Up Gaeltacht’ in Claregalway was held there at the end of February and recently hosted two levels of Irish classes for adults which sold out well in advance.

With three conversation circles on the go in Loughgeorge, Claregalway, and Clonboo, two adult classes at The Arches Hotel on Tuesdays, and plenty of workshops going on in our schools, the Irish speaking community grew steadily in Gaeltacht an Eachréidh (Claregalway, Annaghdown, and Carnmore) throughout 2025.

“It is brilliant to see the huge revival of interest there has been in the Irish language this year,” said Ciaran Tierney, the Irlsh Language Planning Officer for Gaeltacht an Eachréidh.

“Indeed, it was a bit disappointing that we had to turn so many people away from our Irish classes for adults, as they had sold out well in advance. That should inspire us to put on more events and classes in 2026.

“We are taking small but firm steps to bring the Irish language back into the heart of our community to the north and east of Galway City. Our weekly ‘Ciorcal Comhrá’ at The Arches has been a huge success. It is great to see native speakers from this area mingling with and helping people who may not be fluent in our native language. Our strength is built on coming together with a shared love for the language.”

The ‘Ciorcal Comhrá’ is due to return to The Arches Hotel on Thursday, January 15 (8pm). To join the Gaeltacht an Eachreidh mailing list, please email Ciaran at optanteachreidh@gmail.com

We usually send out a newsletter once a month about activities relating to the Irish language in the area.

 

Young and old joined in the Christmas celebration at The Arches Hotel.

 

Michael Monaghan, Barbara Nic Dhonnacha, and Ciarán Tierney enjoying the Christmas party at The Arches. Barbara has been running a very successful ‘Ciorcal Comhrá’ at the hotel on Thursday nights since the end of February. 

 

The Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga hard at work at The Arches Hotel in Claregalway.