Upcoming Events: in Person and on Zoom

As part of our Irish language program, we are offering exciting events with some of the most influential figures in contemporary Irish language arts. Events are mostly in Irish. These events are of benefit for all levels of Irish, even beginners, for exposure to the sounds of the language and the culture, as well for the opportunity to learn new words in context.

To register for events on Zoom, you can now register directly at our Siopa page for events and receive a Zoom link as part of the confirmation process.

We also offer in-person events, usually quarterly. Please note that photos are usually taken at events that may be used on social media and in promotional materials. Please notify the Branch in writing if you do not wish to permit public use of your image in photos.

Upcoming: Join us for a Drama Read Through of a play at Celtic Hall on Saturday, May 4th

When:  Saturday, May 4, 2024, 4:30 PM

Where: Celtic Hall, 430 New Karner Rd, Albany, NY 12205

Tentative Agenda: 

4:30 - 6:00 PM  Read-through

6:00 - 6:30 PM  Pizza!

6:30 - 8:00 PM  Pop Up Gaeltacht We hope to provide music.Recent Events — Online and in Person

2020

On August 20th the Ardrang was joined by Gaoth Dobhair singer, and Corn Uí Riada winner, Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde for a special class on the poetry of Art Mac Cumhaidh, particularly Úrchill an Chreagáin.

On September 3rd at 5:30 we were joined by Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde for a sean-nós song workshop, focusing on the music and history of Inis Fraoch in Donegal.

On October 19th, Calia Heroth, branch secretary and teacher, was awarded the Fáinne Airgid, in recognition of her contributions to the language and to the branch, and her progress in learning Irish. Comhghairdeas leat, a Chalia!

On October 20th at 5:30 pm Séamus Doohan of Walking Donegal Tours, from Fál Carrach, spoke to us about walking tours in Donegal, highlighting the history of the railways of the area.

On November 20th at 5:30 Múscraí sean-nós singer and winner of the Corn Uí Riada (2018) Máire Ní Chéileachair joined us for a singing workshop, speaking about the history of the West-Cork Gaeltacht singing tradition, and teaching songs local to the area.

On December 5th at 6pm, we met up with fellow Gaeilgeoirí for a vast Ciorcal Comhrá (conversation group): "Beidh an Chraic “90”!" (“the fun will be 90!”), spanning Route 90 from Buffalo to Boston, with friends joining from all over.

On December 10th, at 7:30 we hosted our annual Oireachtas na Nollag, a gathering of branch students and teachers, to share our talents.

On December 15th, at 6pm we hosted RTE journalist, broadcaster, author, and ethnographer Dáithí de Mórdha, from Dún Chaoin, Ciarraí, who is also the archivist of the Great Blasket Centre (Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhóir). He spoke to us about the history and culture of Corca Dhuibhne, the Gaeltacht of west Kerry, and the Great Blasket Islands.

2021

On January 30th, 2021, we hosted a massive Pop-up Gaeltacht with Irish language speakers across Route 90 from Buffalo to Boston, with a few blow-ins from Galway, Belfast, Newfoundland, and across America!

On February 5th, we were joined by GAA Irish Language and Cultural Officer Cian Ó Lionáin (CLG Loch Garman), who spoke to us about the history of Irish language and hurling in Wexford.

On March 5th, storyteller Bríd Anna Ní Bhaoill, from Rann na Feirste, Donegal, joined us on Zoom for an evening of traditional storytelling in Irish, with tales she learned from her uncle, Micí Sheáin Néill Ó Baoill. Her beautifully illustrated new book and CD Scéal Chú Chulainn is available now in our siopa.

On March 7th, the Fáinne Óir, signifying fluency in Irish, was awarded to branch members Máire Hammond and Denis Kautsman, following their successful evaluations by independent examiners. Comhghairdeas libh!

On Saturday March 20th we enjoyed an Oíche Airneáil with fellow Irish language learners.

On Friday, March 26th at 7pm, sean-nós singer and Corn Uí Riada winner Máirin Uí Chéide joined us for a night of traditional Irish singing from Conemara, as well as sharing her memories of growing up in Ceantar na n-Oileán.

On Friday, April 30th, historian Bryan MacMahon joined us for a talk about the Great Hunger in North Kerry.

On Tuesday, June 15th, we came together for an Oíche Airneáil with fellow Irish language learners. On that night, the Fáinne Airgead was awarded to Risteárd Angehr and Connie Ostrowski.

On Sunday, July 11th, we were thoroughly entertained by Wexford native Barry Barnes, whose storytelling about his journey of learning Irish and becoming an Irish-language stage and screen actor enthralled all listeners.

On Saturday, July 31st, we welcomed writer Colmán Ó Raghallaigh for a talk about the legends of St. Brendan and other sea voyages in Irish history and mythology.

On Sunday, August 22nd, writer and professor Brian Ó Broin joined us to launch his new novel “Eachtra ar Oileán na Rún,” and talk about his writing process and the need for accessible Irish literature.

On Sunday, September 26th, storyteller Seanán Mac Aoidh, former director of An tSean-Bheairic Cultural Center in an Fál Carrach and now commissioner for the Irish language on Tory Island, joined us on Zoom for a talk about the folklore of Cloch Cheann Fhaola as well as sharing some wonderful traditional tales from the region.

2022

On January 13th the Fáinne Airgead was awarded to Bríd Munafo, branch vice-president and teacher, in recognition of her many contributions to the promotion of the Irish language.

On February 20th we were joined by Bríd Anna Ní Bhaoill and Daire Ó Baoill from Rann na Feirste for a night of stories and songs related to St. Brigid.

On February 26th, Caitríona Ní Chonaola of Camus led us through a tour of her home town using Google maps, and enthralled listeners with songs and tales of the area.

On March 17th, we celebrated St. Patrick’s Feast with an Oíche Airneáil via Zoom, enjoying songs and readings and presentations of tales and poems as Gaeilge.

On March 26th, we welcomed 60 viewers to the wonderful talk with with Antain Mac Lochlainn about “Béarlachas.”

On April 7th, the Fáinne Airgid was awarded to Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill, in recognition of his many contributions to the branch and to the promotion of the Irish language. Comhghairdeas!

On Sunday, April 10th, we collaborated with Dutchess GAA, GCSEN, ICCHV, and Ulster County AOH to bring Manchán Magan’s performance Arán & Im to Kingston, NY.

On April 24th we hosted Corn Uí Riada winner, sean-nós singer Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde for an online concert.

On June 9th we welcomed award-winning writer and musician Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin to our speakers series, where he spoke to us about his development as a writer and his process in creating the novel “Madame Lazare.”

On September 17th we enjoyed a wonderful Lá na Gaeilge at Celtic Hall in Albany, with teachers Eoin Ó Muimhneacháin, Seanachán Ó Cinnéide, and Séamus Ó Fionghusa, as well as workshop leaders Risteárd Angehr, Kathleen Joss, and Seoirsín Ní Mheachair. Our students and teachers came from far and wide, including Vermont, Boston, New Jersey and Buffalo! The day was capped off with a trad session of tunes and songs.

On October 15th we met up in Albany Rural Cemetery for a walk with storytelling, looking forward to Oíche Shamhna!

On November 18th, we welcomed singer Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde and flautist Frances Morton back to Celtic Hall for a wonderful evening of song and tunes.

2023

On March 1, we kicked off Seachtain na Gaeilge with a workshop in storytelling by Bríd Anna Ní Bhaoill, of Rann na Feirste. The link to the recording is here. Passcode: uKm$p25i

On March 6th, we heard about scholarship winner Aodan de Barra’s trip to the Gaeltacht in Donegal last year.

On March 10th at 7:30pm we met at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck for a showing of An Cailín Ciúin, with a pop-up Gaeltacht after the film.

On April 18th we welcomed film-maker Seosamh Mac Seoin (Joseph Jones) for a showing of his award-winning Irish language short film “Uilíoch” and discussion of upcoming projects and the boom in Irish-language film-making.On

On August 26th we joined friends from New England for Picnic na nGael, a fun social get-together, in western Massachusetts.

On September 30th we celebrated our 3rd annual Lá na Gaeilge at Celtic Hall, with great turn out!

On November 4th we celebrated Samhain with a walk and storytelling session at Albany Rural Cemetary.

On December 2nd we welcomed our friend Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde for a festive pop-up Gaeltacht and concert.

2024

On March 12 we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with Tráth na gCeist table quiz online.

On April 2, we welcomed Caoimhe Nic Giollarnáith to answer student’s questions about grammar.