As the saying goes, "Is fearr Gaeilge ná Béarla briste" ("broken Irish is better than clever English"). Irish language initiatives are enjoying a new lease of life in Belgium and beyond and native and non-native speakers alike are encouraged to get involved in Brussels' thriving Irish scene.
In part thanks to its status as an official EU working language since 2022, Irish is enjoying a surge of much-deserved appreciation in recent years, especially in Brussels, where everyday linguistic diversity allows Irish to flourish without the complex post-colonial context that sometimes inhibits it back home.
In addition, given the crowds of language aficionados that populate Brussels, there is the possibility of welcoming curious non-native speakers into the fold (there are currently more people learning Irish via the Duolingo app than there are people who speak it as a first language!).
Learning the language constitutes a lynchpin of Irish culture, and can act as an excellent port of entry for those who want to learn more about the Emerald Isle. Whether you are interested in one or the other, lacking the language is not a barrier to the activities listed below – but maybe you'll pick up cúpla focal (a couple of phrases) along the way!
Conradh na Gaeilge
Bursting onto the scene just last year, the Brussels branch of Conradh na Gaeilge ('The Irish Language League') has already made a significant mark on the Irish community in the city by providing a dependable meeting space for those passionate about their mother tongue.
Part of a cultural organisation devoted to preserving, spreading and celebrating the language all over the world, Conradh lays on a fantastic array of events designed to make Irish accessible and fun. In the past, they have organised pop-up Gaeltachts (areas where only Irish is spoken), pub quizzes and events in partnership with the Irish Embassy in Belgium.
On Tuesday 19 March at 18:30, the group will host a panel discussion on the state of Irish in the City of Brussels at the European Parliament with Irish MEP Seán Kelly (EPP). A diverse panel promises a fascinating conversation about an often misrepresented language at the heart of the EU. Live English interpretation will be available for non-Irish speakers.
Find more information here.
Éigse na Bruséile
Éigse na Bruséile ('Brussels Learning') came to life in 2022. The community festival offers Europe an insight into the world of Irish and the host of initiatives – cultural, historical and academic – that ensure its prosperity.
Poster design evokes similarities between Celtic patterns and Belgian Art Nouveau. Credit: Éigse na Bruiséile
The festival will take place from 12 to 14 April this year, and attendees will be treated to a line-up that includes an abundance of traditional live music, historical tours of Irish manuscript collections and literary discussions with translators and authors.
Find more information here.
Scéal Eile
Another cultural haven for Irish enthusiasts, Scéal Eile ('Another Story') is an annual film festival that showcases the very best of Irish cinema, . Last year, the festival screened historically momentous films such as An Cáilín Ciúin ('The Quiet Girl'), the first-ever Irish-language film to be nominated for an Oscar.
Credit: Scéal Eile
Taking place from 22 to 27 April in cinemas across Brussels this year with the opening night in Cinema Galeries, Scéal Eile will screen a mixture of Irish and English-language films including 'Lies We Tell', 'Ó Bhéal' ('From the Mouth') and 'Double Blind'.
Find more information here.
Céilís and trad sessions
What better way to learn a language than through song and dance? Céilís are traditional social gatherings consisting in Irish dance and live music, and they crop up regularly in Brussels. The latest to take place was organised by Belgium Gaelic Football Club and Comhaltas Craobh na Bruiséile. Keep an eye out on the latter for future events.
Otherwise, traditional music can be found in many of Brussels' Irish bars, including Kitty O'Shea's, The Wild Geese, De Valera's and The Dubliners. Music sessions often involve songs sung in Irish. They also provide an opportunity to take in a rich and unique musical culture kept alive by a vibrant diaspora.
