Croí na Gaeilge represents an evolution in the embrace of Irish language. Gone are the days of being traumatised by countless sraith pictiúr and staring mindlessly at a textbook. Gaeilge is glam and these guys are facilitating that. As winners of the Smirnoff Sound Nation collective competition, Croí na Gaeilge will be present at the Smirnoff Stage at Electric Picnic throughout the weekend. Cocktails and cúpla focal please.

Smirnoff Sound Nation is Smirnoff’s latest music campaign built on the belief that music is for everyone and that when all tastes come together, it’s the recipe for one great party. Expect curated, welcoming spaces designed to feel good and reflect Smirnoff’s values for inclusion and diversity. The Smirnoff Stage embodies creative joy, unmatched dancefloor energy and diversity. The Smirnoff Stage is more than a stage, it’s an experience.

“At the heart of Croí na Gaeilge is creating spaces for people to speak and engage with the language in inclusive and modern ways.” The collective told District. Through a multitude of avenues, Croí na Gaeilge makes learning Irish effortless. Seamlessly combining modern aspects of a young person’s life with the applicable Irish terms gives a real-world use for Gaeilge. Speed dating as Gaeilge, creative workshops with Gaeilge at its core and a social media presence which welcomes in anyone.

“I think with the language being woven into modern music, art and design, people are now seeing the language in a new light – it’s not just a school subject, it’s a living, breathing language and it’s your choice to speak it and keep it alive in your own life.”

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Croí na Gaeilge also represents the wider Irish community. We already know how many generations who have dearly departed from Irish shores and headed across the world. With the collective spanning between London and Ireland, they provide a connection to home through cultural appreciation. “I’ve met so many people who’ve grown up in England with Irish parents or grandparents, and for them, learning Irish is a way to honour that heritage and feel closer to their roots. There’s a huge pride in our language, and people genuinely want to engage with it and honour it and bring it into their present day and futures.” they said.

Drawing on the Irish community in London, DJs and poets alike have come together for Croí na Gaeilge’s diverse listing of events. It’s an invaluable platform to fend off that homesickness.

“Living in London, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful Irish can be as a link to home. For me personally, speaking and sharing the language keeps me connected to home, and it’s amazing to see others experience that same sense of belonging and pride, whether they’ve grown up in Ireland or elsewhere. It’s not just a language; it’s a real bridge to our identity and culture, and being able to share that with others even while living outside of Ireland, is really incredibly rewarding.

It’s all about approaching Gaeilge from a relaxed point, welcoming it into your life through events and connections you actually want to indulge in. Open mics, pub quizzes, queer nights and nights in aid of Palestine, these are things we’d be pulling up to anyway. Croí na Gaeilge are bringing this energy to Electric Picnic, drawing on what has solidified them as a pillar of Gaeilgeor culture abroad.

“You can, [at Electric Picnic] of course, expect to hear and see Gaeilge all around you – with some fun workshops and Gaeilge-inspired designs, hopefully there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy. It’ll be a low-pressure, inclusive space for people to connect. Above all, you can expect celebration and sharing of the language – we hope everyone walks away from the Smirnoff Stage with at least a cúpla focal.”

Join Croí na Gaeilge during the afternoons for collaborative Irish language workshops such as ‘Cocktail agus Caint’ and more. There will be branded swag up for grabs and unique temporary tattoos. You’ll also have the chance to send those who couldn’t join you at the picnic a message in Irish on one of Croí na Gaeilge’s postcards which will be sent on your behalf..

Croí na Gaeilge will be posted up at the Smirnoff Stage at Electric Picnic on:

Friday: 16:00 – 19:00
Saturday: 12:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 17:00

Please enjoy Smirnoff responsibly. Visit www.drinkaware.ie for more information.