Celebrating Irish Language and Culture in Tralee with ‘Ag Siopadóireacht le Gaelainn’
Seachtain na Gaeilge – March 1st to 17th, 2025
Tralee Chamber Alliance, in partnership with Cara Credit Union, is excited to introduce ” Ag
Siopadóireacht le Gaelainn’” (Shop with Irish), a cornerstone initiative of the Seachtain na
Gaeilge celebrations.
As a town that embraces its status as an Irish Service Town, we believe it’s vital to instil the love and use of Irish from a young age. At the core of ” Ag Siopadóireacht le Gaelainn’” lies a vision to embed the Irish language into the daily lives of Tralee’s youth. This initiative is a call to our younger generation to embrace their heritage, to weave the Irish language into their everyday interactions, especially when they engage with participating local shops and businesses. This initiative is not just about language; it’s about identity, heritage, and the future of Irish culture in our town.
What is it and how does it work?
“Ag Siopadóireacht le Gaelainn’” encourages primary-aged students in Tralee to converse in Irish – ‘as Gaeilge’. Each word spoken in Irish, from a simple ‘Dia dhuit!’ to a full conversation, is a step towards revitalising our linguistic heritage. In recognition of their efforts, students will be awarded stickers of participation – symbols of honour for their contribution to keeping Irish alive in our town.
These stickers are more than just mementos – they can be collected towards a homework pass! Schools can decide how many stickers the students must collect to be rewarded with the pass. For example, if a class collects 50 stickers, they get a homework pass. Schools can be as creative as they want in rewarding the students for their efforts and enthusiasm in using
the Irish language.
Through ” Ag Siopadóireacht le Gaelainn’, we invite the entire community of Tralee to join us in
this enriching journey. Let us come together to speak, celebrate, and live the Irish language,
reinforcing Tralee’s proud status as an Irish Service Town and ensuring that our cultural tapestry remains vibrant for generations to come.
Some participating stores (look out for the posters!):
- Garvey’s Super Valu
- CH Chemist
- Cara Credit Union
- Hugh Culloty’s
- Weardrobe
- Walsh Brothers Shoes
- Nolan/Hilsers Jewellers
- Horgan’s Centra Ardfert
- MacDomhnaill Dentists
Prize details:
Thanks to Cara Credit Union, 10 schools will have the opportunity to win a €50 voucher for art
supplies. To be in with a chance to win schools create a short video (10-20 seconds), as Gaeilge, and post on the school’s Facebook page tagging Tralee Chamber Alliance and Cara Credit Union by 17th March.
The video can be a simple and short as the school saying ‘Thanks for no homework’, ‘We love
Tralee’, ‘We love speaking Irish’.
Tralee Chamber Alliance and Cara Credit Union are proud to bring this initiative to life.
Join us in making Irish a living language in our community.
David and Christina of Tralee Chamber Alliance promoting ‘Ag Siopadóireacht le Gaelainn’.