Bumper Year for Gaeltacht Átha Luain

2025 was a bumper year for Gaeltacht Átha Luain. The Irish language social group which began in 2019 saw its biggest year ever last year. Speaking at their first committee meeting of the year, Chairperson Mickey Moran said: “Without a doubt 2025 was our biggest year yet. Support from the Westmeath County Council and the Creative Ireland fund really helped us put Athlone on the map as an emerging urban Gaeltacht.

“The sheer number of events run by the group was phenomenal," he said, adding: "March saw us mark Seachtain na Gaeilge with a Céilí Dancing workshop which was delivered by céilí legend and comhltás stalwart Tom Shine, and hosted by Garrycastle GAA club.”

“April saw us take part in the hugely successful “Croilár” music festival where we hosted a Pop Up Gaeltacht in the Brazen Monkey. April also saw us facilitate a Pop-Up Gaeltacht in Monahans as part of the Roscommon Fleadh.”

“We were delighted to host a Pop-Up Gaeltacht at the Uisneach Festival of Fire in May, and are hugely grateful to the Athlone Family Resource Centre for use of their tent, and indeed their ongoing support throughout the year, a partnership we hope to continue in 2026.”

“May also saw us host 6 weeks of trad singing classes with the hugely talented Anne Marie Hynes with the support of the Creative Ireland fund, these classes went down a storm and there is clearly a huge demand in Athlone for exploration of Irish culture, language and traditions. May was also when we began our first formal meánleibhéil Irish classes, delivered by Gaeltacht member Colm De Búrca, with a great uptake, and with the support of Westmeath County Council we were able to provide these free of charge”

“The summer period saw us host three very high profile events - the highlight being “An Evening with Rónán Ó Snodaigh” - The legendary celtic fusion musician was hosted in conversation by Gaeltacht members Jackie Gorman and Colm de Búrca, other very popular talks were a book launch with Irish language activist, historian and journalist Kerron Ó Luain, and a bi-lingual talk on “The Fieldnames of Athlone” with Dr. Aengus Finnegan - both events hosted in Athlone Library and we are hugely appreciative to the library staff for facilitating us. We also managed to squeeze in a field trip to Rosmúc to visit Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh in Rosmúc.”

“September saw us repeat the trad singing workshop sessions, the meánleibhéal classes, and we added a Bunleibhéal class with Kasey McCormac, with local Irish language stalwart Pól O’Broin taking over the Bunleibhéal in November”

“Finally we wrapped up the year with an Open Mic night and pizza party to thank all our dedicated members for their work and attendance throughout the year. None of our activities could have been possible without the fantastic support of the vintners of Athlone, a huge thank you to The Snug, The Olive, The Castle Inn, Monahans, the Brazen Monkey and Dead Centre”

“When we started Gaeltacht Átha Luain we thought we were creating a space for people to improve their Irish, looking back over six years what we have actually created is a vibrant and inclusive community where people can reconnect with their heritage and traditions, and people who are new to Athlone or even Ireland, can begin to immerse themselves in our culture.”

Finishing Moran noted with caution: “While we are hoping to have an even bigger 2026, we have to note that a lot of what we delivered in 2025 was made possible through the Creative Ireland grant, we are hugely grateful to the Council for their support, and we really hope this funding is made available to us again in 2026.”

“Looking further out, I would hope by the end of the decade that we could see a Cúlturlann being developed in Athlone”