Oireachtas na Gaeilge (Irish pronunciation: [ˈɛɾʲəxt̪ˠəsˠ n̪ˠə ˈɡeːlʲɟə], "The Irish (language) Gathering") is an annual arts festival that celebrates Irish culture. It has been held since the 1890s. The festival was inspired by the Welsh eisteddfodau and includes many events related to the Irish language and culture. Today, the festival organization holds events all year, but the most important one is Oireachtas na Samhna ("the Samhain gathering"). This event takes place during the last weekend of October or the first day of November. It is a seven-day event where more than 10,000 people attend.
History
The first Oireachtas na Gaeilge festival was organized in 1897 by Conradh na Gaeilge (the Gaelic League). The group planned it as part of a revival of traditional Irish arts and culture. The event took place in the Round Room of Dublin's Rotunda, which was one of the largest halls in the city at that time. The festival lasted only half a day, but more than 1,000 people attended, which surprised the organizers.
Unlike today’s festival, the early event focused less on performing arts. Competitions included two for poetry, five for prose essays, one for poetry collections, a competition for unpublished songs or stories in Irish, a competition for new song compositions, and a recitation competition.
The festival organizers achieved notable successes, including staging the first Irish-language opera. However, the popularity of the Oireachtas decreased in the early 20th century. The festival was canceled for several years during the 1920s and 1930s. Since the 1990s, organizers, led by Liam Ó Maolaodha, have tried to attract younger Irish speakers by adding events such as outings and discos.
The festival was originally held in Dublin. Since the 1970s, it has taken place in different cities and towns across Ireland. The festival ends with four major competitions over the weekend.
Although most participants in Comórtas Damhsa ar an Sean Nós now practice the Conamara individual step style, which is popular nationwide, the competition also includes dancing in other regional styles.
Past winners of Corn Uí Riada include Áine Uí Cheallaigh, Lillis Ó Laoire, Máirtín Tom Sheánín Mac Donnchadha, Mícheál Ó Confhaola, and 2008 winner Ciarán Ó Con Cheanainn from An Spidéal, County Galway. Colm Jimmy Ó Curraoin won Corn Uí Riada in 2023.
The Oireachtas' Irish Language Book of the Year Awards are considered the top literary and publishing awards in the Irish language. Each year, books are shortlisted in three categories. One book is chosen in each category to win the Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin (Book of the Year for Adults), Gradam Réics Carló (Book of the Year for Children), and Gradam de Bhaldraithe (Book of the Year Translated into Irish from Another Language) awards.
Media coverage
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta has broadcast major Oireachtas events live since 1973. These broadcasts are very popular with people around the world who watch online, especially the Corn Uí Riada competition and the sean-nós stage competitions. The Steip sean-nós dancing competition on TG4 has always had the station's highest annual audience numbers. This success is because of the work of Festival administrator Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha, who helped bring the competition back to life starting in 2000. In 2008, the station first broadcast live parts of the Corn Uí Riada competition.