‘People are really looking forward to coming to Belfast’ – Oldest Irish language arts festival returning to city after 30 years with new Kneecap-inspired alterations

The organiser behind the oldest Irish language arts festival has said that there is growing excitement ahead of its return to Belfast after an almost three decade-long absence – and that local group Kneecap has even inspired a new addition to this year’s event.

Oireachtas na Samhna, a celebration of the Irish language through performing arts, features competitions for all ages in traditional sean-nós singing and dance, informal music sessions, exhibitions, seminars and other fringe events.

Inspired by the Welsh Eisteddfod festival, it was first held in 1897 and Belfast last hosted during its centenary year in 1997.

Its return to the city between October 29 and November 2 will also mark its first time in the north since Derry hosted in 2006.

Speaking to The Irish News, head of organising body An tOireachtas, Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha, said that there was growing excitement for the return to Belfast almost 30 years on.

“People are really looking forward to coming to Belfast this year. There are a lot of Irish-language organisations based in Belfast around the arts, which is what we’re about – building communities through the arts and Irish language,” she said.

“We did tend to move around quite a lot until the festival became too big for the venues we used to frequent.

“The festival has exploded in popularity in recent years. Some towns have a lot of venues, but they don’t have enough accommodation.”

Ms Nic Dhonnchadha said that the festival, which acts as a “nomadic Gaeltacht”, has been hosted in Killarney, Co Kerry, in recent years but that she hopes to see Belfast become a regular host in the future

“That would be the dream,” she said.

“We’ve been working with Belfast City Council for two years now. They’ve made their venues available to us.

With “amazing” support from council and the Department for Communities (DfC), the majority of events will take place in the Waterfront’s ICC, with others in the Ulster Hall, Cultúrlann MacAdam Ó Fiaich and the Europa Hotel.

New events for this year’s festival have been inspired by local artists, including a ‘Rap as Gaeilge’ competition.

“Kneecap have shown by example the dynamic artistic expression taking place within Irish-language communities across the island of Ireland and demonstrate that there is a welcoming space for Irish-medium arts on global platforms,” Ms Nic Dhonnchadha said.

“They performed as part of our offering for third-level students in 2018.

“To see them, from west Belfast, fluent in Irish, and being able to express themselves creatively in Irish and now they’re on the world stage – it’s inspirational.”

Other events inspired by Belfast figures include a new solo singing segment with guitar accompaniment in honour of local Albert Fry, who was President of the Oireachtas when the festival was last held in the city.

She added that the support for the Irish language in Belfast was “completely different” than in 1997 and she hopes this year’s festival leaves a legacy.

“We want to ensure that youngsters from Belfast are involved as well,” she said.

“We’re providing school schemes, they don’t necessarily have to compete in the competition, but they will and hopefully will in the future.”

Ms Nic Dhonnchadha added that those who are hoping to attend next year’s Fleadh in the city should consider coming along to this autumn’s Oireachtas – the main difference is that the latter is carried out entirely as Gaeilge and is mostly indoors due to the time of year.

“They will enjoy it equally!”