‘There’s always somebody who wants to chat’

Posted by Jim on February 15, 2026

THE IRISH NEWS:

Northern Ireland

‘There’s always somebody who wants to chat’ – Popular south Belfast Irish language group marks its first anniversary.

The bi-monthly speaking sessions were set up by Aingeal Nic an Mháistir last February and have grown in popularity.

Members of the ciorcal comhrá on the Ormeau Road

By Mark Robinson

February 15, 2026 at 6:00am GMT

The founder of an Irish language speaking group in south Belfast has told of how their sessions have grown into a community for all ages, backgrounds and abilities after starting out with a handful of members a year ago.

Aingeal Nic an Mháistir, who is originally from Dublin, set up a ciorcal comhrá, or conversation circle, at the Parador Bar on the Ormeau Road in February 2025 after looking for a regular opportunity to practise her Irish.

The sessions, which are held on Wednesday evenings every two weeks, have been running ever since and have grown as they get ready to mark their first anniversary.

Read more: How TikTok is inspiring a surge in popularity for learning and teaching Gaeilge

Speaking to The Irish News, Ms Nic an Mháistir said that she was inspired to set up the sessions in her area after looking for an alternative to formal classes.

“I’ve always spoken Irish, and just to kind of keep my foot in the water, I go to classes here and there, go to cultural events, and really there’s loads of events going on in Belfast,” she said.

“I just kind of got to the point that I didn’t want to go to a class.

“So, I just was thinking, right, what can I do that I can start having a regular opportunity to talk as a gaeilgeoir?”

Ms Nic an Mháistir said that after the Parador Bar agreed to host the group, she put an ad online and let a few neighbours know that it was on.

“Our first night was so nerve-wracking,” she said.

“But a few people turned up, which was lovely. And then from then, it’s kind of grown. It can be anything from ten to 20 people.”

She added that while members are attending from different backgrounds, what was “really lovely” about the group was the age range.

“You have from 20-year-olds to 70-plus and just having that kind of intergenerational mix has been so nice,” she said.

“Obviously, the range of abilities in the group are varied as well.

“Because it’s not a class, we all kind of support each other.”

Ms Nic an Mháistir added that there was a “sense of community” created within the group which has allowed for informal and natural uses of Irish.

“I got the bus up from town yesterday, and I saw a fella getting on the bus who goes to the ciorcal,” she said.

“We were just yapping away in Irish. It just makes it very relaxed and a very easy part of life, rather than attending a six-week course or an intensive Saturday course yourself, which is nice, and it’s good to have those opportunities, but it’s nice just to have it as a part of life.”

Ms Nic an Mháistir said that, looking ahead, the group want to continue on their current path.

“It’s been every two weeks for the whole year; we’ve not cancelled for any reason, because there’s always somebody who wants to chat,” she said.

“I think we’re happy to keep things going as they are and keep on being consistent and just keeping it going.

“The Parador is so supportive; they have it on their schedule of events and even the guys behind the bar try and speak a cupla focal when we’re there, which is just so lovely.”

Their next session will take place from 7pm on February 18.