Irish language classes in Trinity
The Irish Language Office is offering Irish language classes in collaboration with Gaelchultúr for the 2025-26 academic year. The classes offered are for Trinity staff and students.
Dates
Hilary Classes will begin on Tuesday 3rd February 2026 and will run for eight weeks, ending on the week beginning 30th March 2026. Classes will not take place during study week from 2-6th March.
Classes will take place once per week for 50 minutes from 12.00-12.50pm or from 1.00-1.50pm.
Learners
Classes are available to Trinity students and staff and are free of charge.
Levels
Four levels will be offered, from beginners to upper intermediate level.
It is recommended to students and staff to take a brief online test to decipher which level is most suitable for them. The test can be taken at this link and a description of the different levels and scores can be found at this link.
If you learned Irish in school or have already taken Irish courses, it is not recommended to register for Beginners A1 level.
The content of the courses will be in line with Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG), Irish language proficiency qualifications which are internationally recognised. The Irish Langauge Office offers support to staff and students who wish to undertake a TEG exam. Please contact gaeloifig@tcd.ie for further information.
Teaching Approach
The courses offered are language classes and certification is not provided on completion.
A communicative approach is adopted where emphasis is placed on the spoken language and on conversation. Grammar is taught in context, as it is needed. Reading and writing opportunities are limited.
Timetable
The Hilary Term timetable will be available on this page shortly. Dates, times and classrooms for each level will be listed in the timetable. Staff and students will be asked to select one course based on the level most suited to them, and also to select the day and time on which they can attend a class at that level. Each registered learner will attend one class per week (c. 50 minutes) for eight weeks.
Registration
Please review the timetable when it is available and then choose one course based on your level, and select the day and time which on which you can attend a class at that level. Each learner will attend one class per week (c. 50 minutes) over eight weeks.
Opportunities to speak Irish
There are many ways you can practice your Irish outside the classroom in Trinity:
- A conversation circle is held in the Buttery Restaurant every Wednesday throughout the year from 10.30am-12.00pm. Students, staff, and members of the public regularly attend. Please email gaeloifig@tcd.ie for further information or join us in the Buttery.
- A staff lunch takes place from 1-2pm in room 3104, Arts Building everyWednesday during teaching terms.
- Éigse na Tríonóide, Trinity's annual Irish language week, will take place from 3-6th February 2026.
- Irish language services are available in the Library Monday to Friday from 9.00am-3.30pm.
- Information on events throughout the year can be found on the Irish Language Office's social media channels: X / Instagram / Facebook @GaeloifigTCD.
- An Cumann Gaelach student society hold weekly events throughout the year. Further information on their activities can be found on Instagram / TikTok / X / Facebook @CumannGaelachTCD.
- The Students' Union has an Irish Language Officer and you can find information on their work and on SU events at: Instagram @gaeilge.amlct / X @Gaeilge_AMLCT
- An Scéim Cónaithe (Irish Language Residency Scheme) students hold Irish language events throughout the academic year. Further information can be found on Instagram & TikTok @sceimtcd and Facebook @AnSceimTCD.
Follow Trinity's Irish Language Office online:
