It Only Takes Two to Talk Irish!

Conradh na Gaeilge is launching the first national network of Irish-language conversation circles by the name of Is Leor Beirt in conjunction with Irish-Language Community Schemes across the country today, Monday, 9 November 2009.

The Conradh's new scheme Is Leor Beirt, or It Takes Two, gives everyone in the community a chance to use their cúpla focal and ensures Irish will be heard in various public places across the country. The scheme is based on the simple idea that you only need two Irish speakers to set up a conversation circle and to foster an Irish-language network in your locale, by getting together to chat in Irish over a cuppa on your coffee or lunch break once a week.

According to Síne Nic an Ailí, Development Executive with Conradh na Gaeilge: "It is extremely easy to set up a new Is Leor Beirt conversation circle; all you need is for a small group of people to meet in a local cafe or in your workplace restaurant to chat together in Irish on a regular basis. There is absolutely no extra cost or time needed to get involved with the Is Leor Beirt network as the scheme revolves around coffee breaks or lunchtimes that people would be taking anyway, only now they'll be relaxing in a new setting in the company of other people interested in the language."

Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha, the Conradh's National Project Coordinator said: "Not only will Conradh na Gaeilge's scheme be providing a contact point for people maybe not already involved in the Irish-language community, but Is Leor Beirt will help people overcome their fear and lack of confidence in speaking the language by providing a safe, friendly and informal setting to use their cúpla focal."

A minimum of two Irish-speakers will be at each venue partaking in Conradh na Gaeilge's scheme every week or every month, and will welcome new people to the group. The Is Leor Beirt approach is especially suited to people trying to practise their little bit of Irish or looking to improve their language skills, and groups in Galway, Mayo, Loughrea, Ennis, Dublin and Tullamore are already benefitting from the scheme.

New groups are welcome to partake in the scheme and Conradh na Gaeilge will be supporting groups from across the country. Just contact Conradh na Gaeilge at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +353 (0)1 4757401 / see here.

MORE INFORMATION:

Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha
National Project Co-ordinator, Conradh na Gaeilge
091 567824 / 087 4188050
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Síne Nic an Ailí
Development Executive, Conradh na Gaeilge
01 4757401 / 087 6546673
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CURRENT VENUES:

DUBLIN
+353 (0)1 4757401

Time: Every Wednesday at 11.00am
Ionad: Bagel Factory, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2.
Contact: Síne Nic an Ailí +353 (0)1 4757401 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Time: Every Wednesday ó 11.00am - 12.30pm
Place: An Seomra Caidrimh (B207), Newman Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4.
Contact: siobháThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Time: Every Thursday at 11.00am
Place: Canteen, Bolton Street, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 1.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Time: Every Tuesday at 1.00 - 1.45pm
Place: Staff Room (2-049), Aungier Street, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 2.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Time: Every Tuesday night at 8.30pm
Place: Áras Chonradh na Gaeilge, Grattan Cresent, Inchicore, Dublin 8.
Contact: Craobh Inse Chór +353 (0)1 4535814

Time: The first Friday of every month at 1.00pm
Place: Camden Court Hotel, Camden Street, Dublin 2.
Contact: Siobhán Nic Gaoithín This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LOUGHREA
+353 (0)91 870718

Time: Every Wednesday ag 11.00am
Place: Hope's, Loughrea, Co. Galway.
Contact: Gaeilge Locha Riach +353 (0)91 870718

GALWAY
+353 (0)91 567824

Time: Every Tuesday at10.30rn
Place: Café Mocha, Sráid Doiminic, Gaillimh.
Contact: Gráinne Ní Chonghaile This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +353 (0)91 567824

Time: Every Tuesday at11.00am
Place: The Hub, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh.
Contact: Gráinne Ní Chonghaile This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +353 (0)91 567824

Time: Every Tuesday at3.00pm
Place: Canteen, GMIT, Gaillimh.
Contact: Gráinne Ní Chonghaile This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +353 (0)91 567824

Time: Learners' Night, every Wednesday ag 8.00pm
Place: Club Áras na nGael, 45 Doiminic Street, Galway.
Contact: Gráinne Ní Chonghaile This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +353 (0)91 567824

Time: Every Monday night at 8.00pm
Place: Lohan's Restaurant, Salthill, Gaillimh
Contact: Patricia Lohan This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +353 (0)91 522696

ENNIS
+353 (0)65 6864474

Time: Monthly coffee morning
Place: New venue every month
Contact: An Clár As Gaeilge This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +353 (0)65 6864474

MAYO
+353 (0)94 9022444

Time: Every Wednesday ag 9.30 - 12.00pm
Place: Mc Carthy's Pub, Castlebar
Contact: Brídín Ní Cheallaigh +353 (0)87 9781166

TULLAMORE
+353 (0)86 8157342

Time: Every Wednesday ag 12.30 - 1.30pm
Place: Quigley's, Patrick Street, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
Contact: Barbara Tynan +353 (0)86 8157342