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Gaeltacht Islands

Your island Gaeltacht experience

Cast aside visions of endless grammar and dreadful exams and instead embrace the notion that learning Irish as an adult can be fun. Yes we said fun!

Sure, you might spend some time in the classroom (although that classroom could be a yurt!) but these courses focus on conversation and Irish for everyday life. Some schools will even introduce you to sean nós singing and dancing, and trad music sessions. Others will take you out into the fresh air hiking, biking or kayaking while practicing your new language skills.

Or even romancing. Now we all know people who found teenage love while dancing a hornpipe at the ceilí – and you might too – but some colleges have gone the extra mile by organising singles weekends and even speed dating nights, as gaeilge.

Find the course that’s right for you in the Gaeltachts of the Aran Islands (Inis Meáin, Inis Oírr and Árainn in Galway, Cape Clear (Oileán Chléire) in Cork, Achill (Acaill) in Mayo, one half of which is Irish speaking and or Arranmore (Árainn Mhór) and Tory (Toraigh) in Donegal. Or what about doing a course before your trip?

Whichever you choose, you should be in fine form for using your 'cúpla focal' in the local shop, pub, restaurant or even an Irish-speaking B&B. After all, there’s no better way to truly get to know a place than by immersing yourself in the rhythms and flow of the local language.

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