Galway City is about to get another festival – Tonnta – celebrating the Irish language and the city’s bilingual status.

Running from February 1 to 5, the programme will feature a diverse range of events including: Altan at the Town Hall Theatre, Liam Ó Maonlaí  at An Taibhdhearc, an interview with the presenters of the Beo ar Éigean podcast, a trad rave at the Róisín Dubh; shows from award-winning fire show and light performance artists Rogu; a céilí on Eyre Square, a Focail na mBan comedy performance in the Róisín Dubh; bilingual talks and workshops, and a series of children’s events.

Gaillimh le Gaeilge, which works to promote Irish in the city, is behind Tonnta which is is co-funded by Galway City Council, Fáilte Ireland, Plean Teanga Chathair na Gaillimhe and Gaillimh le Gaeilge.  A partnership is also being formed with the Galway Culture Company, which was set up to build on the legacy of Galway as European Capital of Culture.

As the CEO of Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Bríd Ní Chonghóile,  explains, “is féile dhátheangach a bheidh i gceist le Tonnta ina mbeidh béim ar an nGaeilge. With the help of Irish speakers and a variety of bilingual cultural activities, we aim to introduce more non-Irish speakers to the Irish language. It will also celebrate and showcase our vibrant and unique Gaeltacht culture over the weekend, as well as the legacy of St Brigid”.

Most importantly, according to Bríd Ní Chonghóile, the festival will provide plenty of opportunities for people to practise their Irish, regardless of how much or how little they know.

For more information: www.tonnta.eu.

Pictured: Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Eddie Hoare launching details of the new Irish language festival, Tonnta, with members of Bord Stiúrtha Ghaillimh le Gaeilge: (from left) Pádraic Ó Ráighne, Aindriú D’Arcy, Bernadette Mullarkey, Pádraig Ó Beaglaoich, Siubhán Nic Grianna (Leas-chathaoirleach) and Mary Rodgers.