Language
Irish Courses
What is Coláiste an Phobail ?
Coláiste an Phobail is a community-based programme offering Irish language classes and cultural activities designed to promote the use of Irish in everyday life. We cater to all levels - from complete beginners to fluent speakers - providing a welcoming space for learners to develop their skills. Classes and activities are held year-round, complemented by regular social events such as table quizzes and conversation circles. These gatherings foster a lively, inclusive environment where our growing community can experience the spirit of an urban Gaeltacht.
What courses do you offer?
We offer a comprehensive program of Irish language classes and events to encourage the Irish language among the community. Whether you are a beginner or fluent, eight or eighty, living in Derry or looking to study online, we'll have something on offer for you.
Céimeanna Comhrá, our language course, has been specially devised by one of our tutors. Toirealach Ó Gráda, to suit those interested in learning Irish for conversational use. It is taught on a weekly basis and learners build upon their pool of everyday words and phrases through three stages: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Courses begin in September and we also accept registrations for an additional class in January. New courses begin in September, with an additional intake available in January.
The Cultúrlann is a perfect place for anyone who is learning Irish or who wants to practice a bit. A bilingual service is available in our in-house café, and we have a range of books, cards and other Irish language products for sale. The team is always here to help with words or phrases out of the ordinary or even to practice conversation.
These courses and classes take place throughout the year and social events take place regularly such as Conversation Circles and Quizzes so that our learners could taste the experience of the Urban Gaeltacht.
Registration is available through the links in the table below, at our reception, or please contact john@culturlann.org to register using a Google form.
Practical information
Classes: 30 weeks
Class length: 1.5hrs
Starts: from the 14th of September, 2026
Course cost: £180 (£130 Concessionary Fee)
For more information, contact us at john@culturlann.org / 028 7126 4132 | Deputy Education Coordinator
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Saibhreas
- Online classes
- Other Events
Beginner level Irish course - Registration is available through the TicketSource links in the tables below, at our reception, or contact john@culturlann.org to register using a Google form.
Beginner (year 1)
For complete beginners or those with very little Irish.
| Day | Tutor | Time | Further information and registration |
| Mon | TBC |
10:00-11:30 |
Click here |
| Mon | TBC | 19:30-21:00 | Click here |
| Weds | TBC | 18:00-19:30 | Click here |
| Thurs | T. Ó Gráda | 10:00-11:30 | Click here |
| Thurs | TBC | 19:30-21:00 | Click here |
| Mon (online) | TBC | 19:00-20:30 | Click here |
Beginner (year 2)
For those who have completed Beginner year 1
| Day | Tutor | Time | Further information and registration |
| Mon | U Nic Cartaine | 18:00-19:30 | Click here |
| Wed | P.Ní Mhaoláin | 12:00-13:30 | Click here |
| Wed | TBC | 19:30-21:00 | Click here |
| Thurs | C. De Nais | 18:00-19:30 | Click here |
| Fri | J. Doibín | 10:00-11:30 | Click here |
| Thurs (online) | D.Collins | 18:00-19:30 | Click here |
| Thurs (online) | D.Collins | 19:30-21:00 | Click here |
|
Mon |
A. Ó Clúmháin |
12:00-13:30 |
Click here* |
| Tues (*Jan) |
D. De Brún |
19:00-20:30 |
Click here* |
| Tues (*Jan) |
J. Mac Íomhar |
19:30-21:00 |
Click here* |
| Thurs (*Jan) |
A. Nic Fhearchair |
19:00-20:30 |
Click here* |
*Jan refers to classes that started in January 2026 and ran for 20 wks.
Intermediate level Irish courses - Registration is available through the TicketSource links in the tables below, at our reception, or contact john@culturlann.org to register using a Google form.
Intermediate (year 1)
For those who have completed our beginner Irish
| Day | Tutor | Time | Further information and registration |
| Mon | A. Ó Clúmháin | 10:00-11:30 | Click here |
| Mon | C. Ó Doibín | 19:00-20:30 | Click here |
| Weds | T. Ó Gráda | 12:00-13:30 | Click here |
| Weds | N. Ní Chléirigh | 19:00-20:30 | Click here |
| Tues (online, lower intermediate) | Dara Collins | 19:00-20:30 | Click here |
Intermediate (year 2)
For those who have completed Intermediate year 1
| Day | Tutor | Time | Further information and registration |
| Mon | A. Ó Clúmháin | 19:00-20:30 | Click here |
| Tues | J. Ó Doibín | 18:00-19:30 | Click here |
| Weds | M.Mac Meanamán | 10:00-11:30 | Click here |
| Tues (online, lower intermediate) | Dara Collins | 19:00-20:30 | Click here |
Intermediate (year 3)
For those who have completed Intermediate year 2
| Day | Tutor | Time | Further information and registration |
| Mon | M. Mac Meanamán | 19:00-20:30 | Click here |
| Wed | T. Ó Gráda | 10:00-11:30 | Click here |
| Wed | S. Ó hUiginn | 19:00-20:30 | Click here |
| Thurs | T. Ó Gráda | 12:00-13:30 | Click here |
| Mon (online, upper intermediate) | D. Collins | 19:00-20:30 | Click here |
Advanced Irish level courses - Registration is available through the TicketSource links in the tables below, at our reception, or contact john@culturlann.org to register using a Google form.
Advanced (year 1)
For those who have completed our intermediate Irish course
| Day | Tutor | Time | Further information and registration |
| Tues | TBC | 10:00-11:30 | Click here |
| Tues | Carol Nic Conmara | 19:30-21:00 | Click here |
Advanced (year 2)
For those who have completed advanced year 1
| Day | Tutor | Time | Further information and registration |
| Tues | P. Ní Mhaoláin | 12:00-13:30 | Click here |
|
Weds (online, upper advanced) |
D.Collins | 19:00-20:30 | Click here |
Advanced (year 3)
For those who have already completed advanced classes and want to polish their Irish.
| Day | Tutor | Time | Further information and registration |
| Tues | P. Ní Mhaoláin | 10:00-11:30 | Click here |
| Thurs | A. Ó Clúmháin | 19:00-20:30 | Click here |
Saibhreas - Advanced Irish level courses - Registration is available through the TicketSource links in the tables below, at our reception, or contact john@culturlann.org to register using a Google form.
| Day | Tutor | Time | Further information and registration |
| Weds | P. Ní Mhaoláin | 10:00-11:30 | Click here |
Dioplóma - Ollscoil na hÉireann
Cuir r-phost ag léiriú suime chuig carol@culturlann.org
Online classes - Registration is available through the TicketSource links in the tables below, at our reception, or contact john@culturlann.org to register using a Google form.
Online classes are conversational Irish classes conducted over ZOOM. Online classes last for approx 80 mins.
| Class | Day | Tutor | Time | Further information and registration |
|
Beginner year 1 |
Mon | TBC | 19:00-20:30 | Click here |
| Beginner year 2 | Thurs | Dara Collins | 18:00-19:30 | |
| Beginner year 2 | Thurs | Dara Collins | 19:30-21:00 | |
| Lower intermediate | Tues | Dara Collins | 19:00-20:30 | |
| Upper intermediate | Mon | Dara Collins |
19:00-20:30 |
Click here |
| Upper advanced | Weds | Dara Collins |
19:00-20:30 |
Click here |
Other events
Coláiste an Phobail organizes events throughout the year, such as:
- Trips to the Gaeltacht
- Intensive weekend courses
- Informal pub quizzes
- Irish language conversation circles
We host a range of regular activities including parent / guardian and toddler groups, Irish dancing workshops and sessions, bilingual yoga, and more. For the most up to date details, visit www.culturlann.org/event.
Ciorcail Comhrá
We host Conversation Circles / Ciorcail Comhrá as an opportunity for learners to come together and speak together. These do not tend to run on public holidays, so please reach out to check the most up to date plans.
| Place | Day | Level | Time |
| Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin |
Monday
|
Intermediate |
12:00
|
| Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin |
Tuesday |
Advanced |
12:30 |
| Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin |
Wednesday |
Beginners |
12:30 |
| Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin |
Thursday |
Fluent |
12:00 |
| Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin |
Thursday |
*All levels |
18:00-20:00 |
| The Cafe in the Park | Friday | All levels | 10:30-12:00 |
*Comhrá & Cleachtadh - the Cultúrlann café area will be open to our Irish language learners for practice and conversation.
Trip to the Gaeltacht
We organise trips to the Gaeltacht region of Gaoth Dobhair a few times a year. Sign up to our newsletter and follow our socials to keep up to date!
