Turas Teanga
A new offering from Wild Irish
Beginning on Sunday, November 9th will be the first in a series of súilóidí Gaeilge where we will inhale the landscape and and the language, tír agus teanga, in one breathe.
Turas Teanga will be hosted alternatively and sometimes jointly by Siobhán de Paor and Diarmuid Lyng who will be joined by guest guides on these eachtraí adventures. We will lead a group up and out into the hills, mountains, woodlands and coast line of Kilkenny and Waterford. Each day will be uniquely curated and offer a different insight into our landscape and our language. There will be Gaeilge, foraging, fire-building, knowledge sharing and cold dips in the lakes and rivers of Kilkenny and Waterford. Above all, this is an opportunity to speak in Irish for the day and recreate the habit of using Irish in a living setting. It iss a deis opportunity to rake the recesses of your brain for what gems are buried there. In this truly tribal effort, you will assist and be assisted, affirming foigne, patience, with those who lag behind on the turas teanga.
Beimid ag spraoi leis an teanga; having fun with our language, bringing her outside faoin spéir, where she thrives, just like ourselves.
Beidh gach súilóid diffrúil agus aithneoimid an dúlra thart timpeall orainn.
Since Irish will be our language of communication, this is not so suited to absolute beginners but if a day of silent immersion appeals to you, we will not refuse any erstwhile participants. The intention is not to dilute the rare opportunity for Irish, in all of its varying degrees of brokenness, to be spoken for the day.
We'll make a start in the darker months, as our lunar calendar of our ancestors does, and we will venture out this November, regardless of weather, in an organised galavanting.
On this first outings, we will discover the wealth of seaweed laid bare by the low tide at Bun an Abha; Annestown. The Coppercoast is a Unesco heritage site and just 30 minutes from our home in South Kilkenny. We will begin at 11am and walk along the coast to Annestown for low tide and a seaweed forage at 2pm. Siobhán will share her knowledge of this incredible superfood, gained from seven years foraging the coastlines of the Corca Dhuibhne peninsula. Bring scissors and waterproof(ish) shoes.
Forage wild edibles
You will gain the vocabulary to identify the natural world around you.
Connect with the Wild Irish community of language and land lovers
Learn the Irish names and uses of wild plants and edibles on route
Spontaneous nature rituals
Cold dips, fire building, meal share
Bring a packed lunch; either your own or food to share and we will provide some homemade treat or wild pesto to garnish our picnic. Dress warm and waterproof, we will prevail regardless of the weather.
Children are welcome but they will have to be willing and able to walk or be carried. The costas is €50 for an adult and €25 for young adults and free for under 12s. Also all those who purchased a lá na clainne ticket on our fundraiser, could redeem on Turas Teanga.