‘Ardán 2026’ has been launched, Glór na nGael’s new nationwide competition

Glór na nGael has launched Ardán 2026, a brand new competition for Irish-language and Gaeltacht community groups that will replace the traditional Comórtas Náisiúnta Ghlór na nGael.

Ardán is the next step in Glór na nGael’s long-established tradition of celebrating and affording recognition to the Irish-language voluntary sector on a national stage, which began in 1961.

The competition has a total prize fund of €83,000 which includes €20,000 for first place and €10,000 for second place, as well as prizes across eight categories and ten special recognition awards.

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The biggest change that community groups will notice is that the adjudication process and awards ceremony will be held on the same day and at the same venue. Community groups will be welcome to attend the adjudication sessions to learn from and to gain an insight into the work of other Irish-language and Gaeltacht community groups across the country.

Frainc Mac Cionnaith, manager of the Glór na nGael Communities and Enterprise Department commented that his team are looking forward to the new competition:

“Glór na nGael has a long tradition of acknowledging best practice and awarding recognition to groups that promote the Irish language. We are eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the history of that tradition. Glór na nGael’s team of adjudicators value greatly the experience gained by visiting community groups throughout the country each year. By opening up this experience, we hope the wider Irish-language community can also learn and benefit.

"Ardán will provide a range of specialised and informative talks to the Irish-language voluntary sector and the wider community which will be based on the practical experience of the groups that carry out this important work and that will present the best practice in Ireland in the field of language planning. Of course, the competition will include a celebratory dinner and attractive prizes as has always been the case.”

Ardán 2026 will take place in the Connacht Hotel, Galway, on 19 September 2026.

The deadline for groups that wish to enter the Ardán 2026 competition is 17:00 on 19 June. More information can be found on www.glornangael.ie/ardan or you can email us at ardan@glornangael.ie.