African song and dance, a children's "hooley" with TG4's Hector Ó hEochagain and readings by writer and broadcaster Dermot Somers are among the highlights of Seachtain na Gaeilge in Galway city and county this week.
A "lón gnó" lunch where business people can practise their Irish, and a competition for Irish-language "grammar gurus" will also take place in the city this week as part of a full programme extending throughout the county until St Patrick's Day.
The première of three newly-composed Irish-language songs, entitled "Scéim Greentights", takes place in Cubalive, Eyre Square, tomorrow night, and this will be followed by a concert with the Australian-Irish group Clann Zú.
Though focused on the Irish language, the programme has a distinctly multi-cultural flavour. Tonight, the Global Music Project is hosting an African song and dance workshop in Arus na nGael, Dominick Street, from 8 p.m. Four Men and a Dog and John Spillane play in a ceolchoirm mór in the Radisson Hotel tomorrow night. On Thursday, Dermot Somers will read from his recently-published memoir, Rince ar na Ballaí, in Arus na nGael, Dominick Street, at 8 p.m., and the poet Seán Ó Coistealbha will mark the publication of his collection, Didean, on Thursday at 6 p.m. in Galway City Hall.
Events are also planned for Loughrea, Athenry, Tuam, Ballinasloe, Oranmore, Moycullen and Claregalway, while the "hooley" with Hector is in Ionad Pobail Chill Chiaráin on Friday.
Full programme details can be obtained from Seachtain na Gaeilge 2002 by phoning (091) 567824 or via www.snag.ie