Athlone Pop Up Gaeltacht continue to promote the Irish language courtesy of their weekly gathering in the surrounds of Dead Centre Brewing in the heart of the town.
Commencing at 9pm each Thursday, the Athlone Pop Up Gaeltacht originated in 2019 among a number of friends who were learning the national language via Duolingo, frustrated as they were at the time at the lack of avenues available to them to practice and speak Irish in the town.
After hearing about the successes of Pop Up Gaeltachts in Dublin and Belfast, they decided to see if there was an appetite for such an initiative in Athlone.
“We established a facebook event for the first night, and to be honest, we weren’t really expecting anyone other than the three or four of us who had been discussing the idea to show up. We were overwhelmed when approximately 15 people showed up to the first night. We knew then, there was definitely an appetite for an teanga in Athlone,” local resident Ruairí O’Concubhair, explained.
The onset of Covid-19 posed a challenging time for the Pop Up, particularly when the pub that was so accommodating to them, The Malt House closed. However, since the easing of restrictions the group has found a new home in Dead Centre Brewing in Custume Place.
“Liam and his colleagues at Dead Centre Brewing have been very accommodating since we have moved the Pop Up there. It is a great spot to come, practice your cúpla focal, and even play a tune or sing a song.
“It’s very important to all of us in the Pop Up Gaeltacht that we do what we can to keep the language and traditional culture alive, and there’s no better way to meet new people in an inclusive and friendly atmosphere,” O’Conchubhair continued.
Athlone Pop Up Gaeltacht meets each Thursday night at 9pm until late in Dead Centre Brewing. New members are most welcome.
