Linda Keating's new online Irish language word game launch

The web developer who created the Irish-language game FOCLACH of which almost two million games have been played in 145 countries has created another daily word game challenge called LITREACH. 

It is hoped that Linda Keatings new Irish-language word game will reach the same level of success as FOCLACH which was the Gaeilge version of the popular game Wordle. Litreach, is a spelling game that challenges players to listen to 5 different words each day in each of the major Irish dialects, and then try to spell those words.

Linda, who lives in Gaoth Dobhair, hopes the game will help people improve their confidence in writing Irish. The game’s format is similar to Foclach, offering players 5 chances to get the spelling right. Each time a spelling is submitted, the game helps you discover what letters are spelled correctly and what letters the player needs to use to try again.

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To mark the occasion of the release of this new game Linda Keating in association with Meitheal Pleanála Teanga an Iarthuaiscirt (MPTIT) and Leabharlann Phobail Ghaoth Dobhair are hosting a spelling competition for primary school students on Thursday, January 19 at 10am. Students will battle it out to take home the 1st prize: a Fire 7 Tablet. There are also
prizes for 2nd and 3rd place and every student participating will receive a book published by the Donegal book publisher Éabhlóid.

The rules of the competition are simple and follow the same rules as the famous Spelling Bee competitions in the U.S. Competitors try to outwit each other by spelling words of increasing difficulty out loud. The last person standing, spelling all their words correctly wins.

It is almost a year since Foclach, the Irish language Wordle game was first released. During this past year the game has enjoyed astonishing success. Almost 2 million games of Foclach have been played in 145 countries worldwide. It was featured extensively on both national TV and radio.  

To date Litreach has reached players in over 20 different countries, from Spain to South Korea, Canada to Chile and its audience is growing every day. Players have described it on social media as a píosa spraoi while sharing their
scores with their friends and followers.

The voices that players hear in the app were recorded especially for the game by native speakers from different Gaeltachts; Clodagh Ní Ghallchóir from Gaoth Dobhair, Caitríona Ní Dhomhnaill from Baile na hAbhainn, Gaillimh, and Sláine Ní Cathalláin from Baile na nGall, Kerry.

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Litreach was funded by Foras na Gaeilge and will remain free to players worldwide. The games developer, Linda, is a passionate advocate of a free and open web for all. She feels it is especially important that any games or
websites used in an educational setting should be free from all advertising and tracking cookies.

The new spelling game LITREACH can be found here: https://litreach.ie

The launch event with Spelling Competition for primary schools takes place at  Leabharlann Phobail Ghaoth Dobhair, January 19. from 10 toam  12noon.