GAELTACHT NYC

“The New York City group with a passion for keeping the Irish language alive” - Irish Star US

Fáilte go GAELTACHT NYC — the Gaeltacht for and by the Gaeilgeoirí of New York City. 

At GAELTACHT NYC, we are “certain that the Irish language has an important place in [our] modern lives” (Irish Star US).

Our organization hosts bi-weekly Pop-Up Gaeltachts at Irish pubs across NYC and promotes other Irish-language events happening in the Tri-State Area.

Our gatherings offer NYC Gaeilgeoirí the opportunity to use the Irish language as it was originally intended — to connect with others.

All levels of Irish fluency are welcome, from first time speakers to Gaeltacht regulars.

An bhfuil suim agat? Register today to join your own Gaeltacht right here in New York City.

Feicfidh muid go luath thú!

  • GAELTACHT NYC's mission is to develop and cultivate a community of Gaeilgeoirí in New York City.

    Our mission is to strengthen this community through our own Pop-Up Gaeltachts, the publicity of other Irish-language events, and the inclusion of Gaeilgeoirí of all fluency levels, ages, and backgrounds.

    Our mission is to create, promote, and enable spaces where people can use the Irish language regularly, convivially, and with better fluency.

    Our mission is to create a Gaeltacht here in New York City — a Gaeltacht created by, for, and among this great city's many Gaeilgeoirí.

    Fáilte go ár nGaeltacht.

  • To achieve our mission, GAELTACHT NYC meets on a bi-weekly basis to facilitate casual conversations “as Gaeilge” in the style of a Pop-Up Gaeltacht.

    By speaking the language frequently and colloquially, members of the group enhance their linguistic skills without needing constant access to a classroom. The organization also offers native speakers the all-too-rare space to converse in their mother tongue.

    Through these events, GAELTACHT NYC develops a close network of Irish speakers in NYC, creating friendships that last far beyond our bi-weekly sessions.

    GAELTACHT NYC also publishes a weekly newsletter that promotes Irish-language events occurring in the Tri-State area.

  • GAELTACHT NYC’s founder and director is John R. Howley, an actor and student at Columbia University. John studies Irish at the NYU Glucksman Ireland House. He also hosts the weekly Celtic music radio show, Ni Na La, every Monday morning at 12 AM on WKCR 89.9 FM NY.

    Other members include Irish language teachers, Irish dance teachers, social media influencers, educators, filmmakers, musicians, Irish J1 visa students, New York natives, and more. While most of our members are based in NYC, some commute to meetings from New Jersey and Long Island.

    Importantly, our members represent a diverse group of Gaeilgeoirí of every age, background, and fluency level. This is not a group exclusively for the fluent or native Gaeilgeoir. Our mission is to include everyone, from beginners to lifelong speakers, in the development and cultivation of NYC's Gaeilgeoir community.

  • IrishCentral

    "The Irish-language group bringing the Gaeltacht to New York"

    GAELTACHT NYC, founded in June 2023 by actor John R. Howley, has held 18 pop-up Irish-language conversation groups across the city, with ten more set to take place before the end of the year. 

    Irish Star US

    "The New York City group with a passion for keeping the Irish language alive"

    There is a fierce love for the Irish language in New York City.

    Be the next to write about us!

    Interested in writing a piece or profiling GAELTACHT NYC? Email us at gaeltachtnyc@gmail.om — we would love to talk. Any Gaeilgeoir press is good press!

  • GAELTACHT NYC hosts events at various Irish pubs in Manhattan. Most frequently, we meet at The Four Faced Liar (West 4th St) and Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar (2nd Ave).

    We have also met at the Swift Hibernian Lounge, Mary's Bar in Brooklyn, and more.

    GAELTACHT NYC is also committed to hosting events outside of the pub. In order to do this, we have and are planning to organize Pop-Up Gaeltachts in Central Park, at the Aisling Irish Community Center, and at The Endangered Language Alliance.

    If you want to host GAELTACHT NYC at your establishment, or suggest a new meeting spot, please email us at gaeltachtnyc@gmail.com

  • Complete this form to receive weekly emails about upcoming events hosted by GAELTACHT NYC.

  • Are you an Irish cultural organization or bar looking to host a Pop-Up Gaeltacht? Iontach! We can help you do that. Reach email us to propose co-hosting an event with GAELTACHT NYC. If you have a venue, we can supply the Gaeilgeoirí.

    GAELTACHT NYC also sends out a weekly newsletter to hundreds of Gaeilgeoirí in the Tri-State area. If you have an event that you think would be of interest to our community, please reach out to us with the details and we would be happy to promote it in our newsletter.

    For any other questions, comments, or suggestions, send us a message at our email linked below. We’d love to hear from you.

    gaeltachtnyc@gmail.com

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