School Calendars 2026/2027

The Seó Bóthair Roadshow is an interactive workshop that encourages students to think critically about their views on the language.

The workshop is aimed at students aged 16 – 18. It discusses places where they can use Irish, language rights, employment opportunities and third level courses available. The workshop is free. 

⁠Foghlaim TG4 is an Irish language education platform that provides learning content for students and teachers.

There are videos and lessons for primary schools, junior cycle, leaving certificate, and adult learners. 

Raidió Rí-Rá is the national Irish language station for young people, online and on DAB. Raidió Rí-Rá organises radio workshops for pupils from Gaelscoils and Irish-medium post-primary schools where participants learn communication, editing and production skills.

The workshops are a great opportunity for students to experience the broadcasting profession and impress upon them the benefits of Irish outside the classroom. 

COGG provides a wide range of resources and supports for schools, including school visits and Irish-language courses during the spring and summer.

For further information, please contact eolas@cogg.ie.

The GaelAonad Oide team provides a range of supports to help schools implement the Action Plan for Irish in English-medium Schools.

These include school support visits, professional learning experiences and summer CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) courses.

For further information, please contact eolas@oide.ie.

Gaelbhratach is a whole-school scheme that encourages students to use Irish naturally every day.

We work with schools to create a bridge between school subjects and the everyday living language, by implementing fun, creative and student-centred opportunities to use Irish. Join us! 

Gaelbhratach is a whole-school scheme that encourages students to use Irish naturally every day.

We work with schools to create a bridge between school subjects and the everyday living language, by implementing fun, creative and student-centred opportunities to use Irish.

The Post-Primary Schools Gaelbhratach Celebration will be on 11 May 2027.

Scríobh Leabhar is sponsored by Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge, Foras na Gaeilge. The project is run in partnership with education centres across Ireland.

Primary school children are given the opportunity to write, design and publish a book in Irish. The project promotes reading and writing in Irish.

Schools register their interest with their local Education Centre in September.

Tráth na gCeist Náisiúnta is being organised for post-primary schools again this year. It gives junior and senior students the opportunity to develop their Irish language skills, work as a team and have fun using the Irish language.

The preliminary rounds will take place from September 2026 to January 2027. The final will be held in Dublin on 4 March 2027. More information from trathnagceist@feachtas.ie

Oireachtas na Samhna’s performing arts competitions provide a fantastic platform for young people to showcase their talent through the medium of Irish.

From singing, music and dance to rap, storytelling and dialogue, they are a great opportunity to take to the stage, challenge yourself and be part of a vibrant creative community. 

Teaching Conference for post-primary Irish teachers (L1 and L2) and for Irish-medium school teachers (primary level).

On Wednesday 16/09/26, during school hours 9.15 – 1.15 in University College Cork for teachers in L1 and L2 schools.

More information on Eventbrite.ie under ‘Comhdháil Teagaisc‘ or at teagasc@ucc.ie

The Díospóireacht Uí Chadhain is a national debating competition for schools operating through the medium of Irish.

It gives junior and senior students the opportunity to strengthen their public speaking skills, work as a team, and promote the Irish language to the public.

The championship will take place on 21 January 2027.

Gael Linn is giving young people, who aspire to be Brian Tyers, Mac Dara Mac Donnchadha or Marty Morrissey, the chance to present their own commentary to the public by taking part in this competition which is named in memory of Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh who always gave great support to the work of Gael Linn.

Deadline for registration: 9/9/26
Deadline for entries: 23/9/26 

Díospóireacht an Phiarsaigh is a national debating competition for English-medium schools.

It gives junior and senior students the opportunity to strengthen their public speaking skills, work together as a team, and promote the Irish language to the public.

The final will take place on 15 March 2027. 

Scléip is a fun and exciting talent competition open to all-Irish post-primary schools only, with an emphasis on contemporary arts.

It gives post-primary students the opportunity to perform music and songs in front of an audience and professional judges, in theatres across the country.

The final will take place on 3 February 2027.

300 Schools – 30,000 Students
One Day – Non-Stop Irish
Will your school be participating???

Gaeilge24 is back again! A great challenge for the class, the year or the whole school. Register early to receive sponsorship cards in the post this week, registration deadline: 21 October 2026.

Gaeilge24 Day: 10 November 2026

This competition gives students in primary and post-primary schools the opportunity to come up with a creative Irish language slogan to celebrate mathematics during Maths Week (10-18 October). 

This is a competition for traditional music groups. It is run by Gael Linn with the support of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and Irish Music Magazine, to encourage and give a platform to the best of the country’s young traditional music and singing talent.

The final will take place in April 2027. 

Glór na nGael organises the Family Room at Oireachtas na Samhna every year.

This year again, a wide range of events through Irish will be available for children and their families, including games, music, storytelling, crafts, workshops and entertainment, in a welcoming and fun space for families. 

Do you love Irish, music, creativity and fun? Oireachtas na Samhna is the place for you!

It is a vibrant, diverse festival that gives you the chance to use your Irish, make new friends and take part in a great celebration of the language and culture. 

This is a training day organised by Conradh na Gaeilge and the Irish Post-Primary Students’ Union around the country to give post-primary students the opportunity to attend interactive workshops on how to promote the Irish language in school, meet students from other schools and much more.

Dublin 10/10/2026, Cork 17/10/2026, Galway 07/11/2026, Belfast 14/11/2026

More information from scolaireachtaideis@gretb.ie

Join us in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, R32 TYW7 for a lively professional learning event specifically aimed at Irish language teachers.

There will be input from the Department of Education and Youth Inspectorate, along with current teachers sharing effective strategies, classroom practices and pedagogical insights. 

Join us for the Tionól Forbartha and meet with your colleagues to discuss issues related to all-Irish education; exchange best practices; learn from each other; try out new resources; find new creative ideas; and network with a broad community of educators, researchers, and other staff. 

Join us in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, R32 TYW7 for a lively professional learning event specifically aimed at Irish language teachers.

There will be input from the Department of Education and Youth Inspectorate, along with current teachers sharing effective strategies, classroom practices and pedagogical insights.

COGG runs this national competition for primary school students during Science Week (8–15 November 2026).

The competition gives students the opportunity to engage with science through the medium of Irish in a creative and enjoyable way.

Glór na nGael offers a special Christmas visit to families in Dublin each year.

Children have the opportunity to meet Santa, sing songs, colour and write a letter, and each family receives a photo of the visit and a small gift.

The Irish language is alive and well around the world.

During this week we will create a connection between the Irish language abroad and in Ireland with a range of online events. 

The aim of the #Dúshlán competition is to give post-primary school students the opportunity to use Irish in an enjoyable way outside the classroom.

Each team consists of three people, and they have 30 tasks to complete within 50 hours. There is €2,400 in prizes to be won for the best post-primary teams! 

This is a support scheme for bands and musicians who would like to create their music through the medium of Irish.

The successful bands will be provided with ongoing guidance and advice as well as training, recording and publicity opportunities, and will be given opportunities to perform at festivals and concerts such as Féile na Gealaí and Electric Picnic.

Applications for the scheme will open in February 2027

COGG, TG4 and Galway University will be hosting Comórtas Iriseoirí an Lae Amárach in January/February 2027.

The course is aimed at students in Gaeltacht and Irish-medium Post-Primary Schools across the country and provides students with an opportunity to learn journalism skills from an expert with years of experience working in the media.

A competition will be announced during the training days.

Seachtain na Gaeilge is an annual highlight and the biggest celebration of the Irish language and culture in schools across the country.

In addition to school events, students can enter our Youth Competitions. There are great prizes up for grabs and all entrants will receive a certificate of participation. 

Raidió Rí-Rá will be broadcast live on FM airwaves in Galway, Limerick, Cork and Dublin throughout the month as part of their ongoing campaign to put a national youth station on the air permanently.

Pop and new music will be broadcast as well as chats, craic and competitions. Available on DAB and online nationally and internationally as well as rrr.ie and on the Raidió Rí-Rá app on smartphones. 

Following the historic FÍS 2026 day with 100 stands and 4,000 students, we are preparing for an even better conference with FÍS 2027 in the RDS / An Cumann Ríoga, Dublin.

This is the largest event for young people through Irish that brings students together with one overarching message: Irish is a valuable asset in academic, professional and social life.

As part of Seachtain na Gaeilge, Technology Day celebrates the Irish language and technology.

Interactive workshops will be held as part of the event. Contact us at snag@cnag.ie for more information.

A competition that encourages senior cycle/transition year students who have completed work experience to reflect deeply on the skills they have developed and to explore potential future careers. 

This competition gives primary and post-primary school students the opportunity to use their maths eyes to celebrate International Mathematics Day (14 March 2027).

Students are encouraged to demonstrate their mathematical creativity and imagination. 

Ard-Fheis na nÓg is an opportunity for the younger generation of the Gaeltacht and other young people with Irish to discuss issues of our time among themselves.

They will make presentations on major social issues and attend thematic workshops on the life of the Irish language.

Ard-Fheis na nÓg is an overnight event for students in the senior cycle in Gaeltacht/Gaelcholáistí schools. Venue to be confirmed – stay tuned to the link below.

Drama festivals are organised across the country to encourage and promote Irish-medium drama among the country’s younger generation.

These festivals provide an opportunity for primary and post-primary school students to develop language, creativity and drama skills in a stimulating and entertaining environment.

Festivals are organised locally from February onwards, provincially in March and nationally in April, giving students from all over the country the opportunity to take part in the festival.

The Féilte Peile aim to provide an opportunity for young people attending Irish-medium schools and Gaeltacht primary schools to come together for a football blitz competition and social activities over two days in the various Gaeltacht regions.

Dates: Féile Peile na Rinne – 01/06/2027 and 02/06/2027, Féile Peile Ulster – 13/05/2027 and 14/05/2027 and Féile Peile Connacht, Leinster, and Kerry – May 2027