Published: 26 February 2025

BBC Gaeilge will mark Seachtain na Gaeilge, the annual international celebration of Irish language and culture, with a range of content across television, radio and online.

Music is in the air during March on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two Northern Ireland, as Ceolta a new six-part series presented by Fiachna Ó Braonáin and Eve Belle, takes audiences on a musical journey, and Neil Martin: Bóthar an Cheoil follows the Belfast musician and composer as he prepares for a special concert to mark 25 years with the West Ocean String Quartet.

Blas celebrates Seachtain na Gaeilge with a trio of special programmes on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster including an outside broadcast from County Tyrone, highlights from this year’s Gradaim NÓS awards, and Ceolta presenters Fiachna and Eve join the Blas Ceoil team for the month of March.

Two new digital series will also be available to watch on the BBC Gaeilge website, with some of our favourite proverbs revealed in Cumhacht na bhFocal, and lots of food inspiration in Blas na gClann which brings families together to recreate the special meals that reflect their shared past and food memories.

Viewers can also dip into the BBC Gaeilge archives with some previously broadcast programmes available on BBC iPlayer including the popular crime drama series Crá, Inis na nIontas, Éadaí SOS and Iarsmaí.

In a new documentary broadcaster Gráinne McElwain examines the realities of life for a GAA football referee in the modern game.

For many referees physical and verbal abuse, from teams, the stands and on social media, is commonplace and some GAA county boards are struggling to find enough referees to officiate fixtures across a growing number of competitions.

For David Gough, Siobhán Coyle and Eoghan Ó Muircheartaigh refereeing allows them to have an active role in the sport they love, and we follow their journey through the 2024 season.

The documentary also reveals findings from a recent Ulster University study on the treatment of referees, led by Dr Noel Brick and the repercussions this has on mental health and welfare of match officials.

Other contributors include sports analyst Fearghal Mag Uiginn, GAA President Jarlath Burns and sports psychologist and former Galway County hurler Justin Campbell.

Réiteoir! produced by Macha Media for BBC Gaeilge and RTÉ with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund considers the emotional toll this abuse has on referees and Gráinne asks what the GAA is doing to address these issues.

In the hustle and bustle of city life, community gardens are a place for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to come together, growing their own fruit, flowers and vegetables and to care for the wildlife that inhabits these areas.

Filmed over the course of a year, this two part series captures the beauty of the changing seasons and follows the people who use and work in three community gardens across Belfast, transforming these green spaces into vital hubs of personal growth, cultural connection, and community resilience.

The series was made by Below The Radar TV for BBC Gaeilge with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund.

The work of Belfast composer and musician Neil Martin has been performed at unique locations around the world, including Ground Zero in New York, London’s Royal Albert Hall, the Mostar Bridge in Bosnia and Herzegovina and on the International Space Station.

Neil describes himself as an ‘undisciplined musician’ and is an artist who thrives on collaboration with performers, writers, and thinkers from all walks of life.

This feature length film follows Neil as he prepares for a concert in Letterkenny to celebrate 25 years with the West Ocean String Quartet.

The Quartet’s experimental style, which blends traditional and classical music, has earned them much acclaim, and they are joined on stage in Letterkenny by actor Stephen Rea, and singers Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill and Jack Warnock.

With contributions from his wife Siobhan, four children, bandmates and close friends, this revealing film follows Neil through grief and celebration, reflecting on the significant moments that have shaped his life, as he embarks on a new chapter in his musical career.

Neil Martin: Bóthar an Cheoil was made by Below The Radar TV for BBC Gaeilge and TG4 with support from Northern Ireland Screen's Irish Language Broadcast Fund.

In a new documentary An Bothy Band reunite to perform for the first time in almost fifty years.

Formed in 1975, the traditional music group brought their unique sound to many countries during their three years together and created a musical legacy which still resonates, and influences many present day musicians.

In this documentary we hear from surviving band members Matt Molloy, Dónal Lunny, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Kevin Burke, Paddy Glackin and Paddy Keenan and the film follows them through rehearsals for their homecoming concert in Dublin’s inner city, where they first performed.

The group share personal stories about the trials and tribulations of life on the road, what brought them together and the fallout which ultimately led to them going their separate ways.

An Bothy Band, reveals the story behind one of Ireland’s foremost traditional bands and celebrates their contribution to music, at home and abroad.

The documentary was made by Big Mountain Productions for BBC Gaeilge and TG4, with funding from Coimisiún na Méan and Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund. It reveals the story behind one of Ireland’s foremost traditional bands and celebrates their contribution to music, at home and abroad.

Ceolta is a new six-part music series, presented by Fiachna Ó Braonáin and Eve Belle featuring live performances from a host of local talent.

Filmed across six venues, the series showcases a stellar lineup which includes some familiar faces and emerging artists across a broad spectrum of genres including trad, country, folk, punk, pop and jazz.

Presented by singer and songwriter Eve Belle and Hothouse Flowers’ guitarist Fiachna Ó Braonáin, each episode celebrates the depth and diversity of local music.

The first stop is Dungiven with performances from Mary Dillon, Neil Martin, The Paul Casey Band, Muireann Bradley, and Briana Corrigan.

The presenters also take to the stage with a special performance from Eve in Forkhill, Co Armagh and Fiachna plays with his Hothouse Flowers bandmates in Bangor, Co Down. The pair also host intimate gigs in Moy, Co Tyrone, Boho, Co Fermanagh and Belfast.

Later in the series there are special performances from Cliona Hagan, North x North West, Clare Sands, Duke Special with the The Fews Ensemble, Brian Finnegan with Seán Óg Graham, Cathal Murphy, Winnie Ama, And So I Watch You From Afar, Houseplants, Seamie McPeake and his band among others.

Ceolta was made by Sonas Productions for BBC Gaeilge with support from Northern Ireland Screen's Irish Language Broadcast Fund.

In a Seachtain na Gaeilge bonus for Blas Ceoil listeners, Fiachna Ó Braonáin and Eve Belle, presenters of the new BBC Gaeilge series Ceolta, will also take to the airwaves as guest presenters during the month of March.

Jack Warnock then returns for another stint in the Blas Ceoil hotseat in April.

In a moving tribute programme, Blas remembers the late Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, whose activism, advocacy, writing and dedication to the Irish language theatre world has left a lasting impact across Belfast and beyond.

Máire Bhreathnach hits the road for a lively outside broadcast from the heart of the community in Omagh’s Irish language centre Dún Uladh.

Caoimhe Ní Chathail presents highlights from this year’s Gradaim NÓS awards at the Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast, featuring live performances and chat from some of the finest contemporary artists making music in the Irish language.

Proverbs are an important part of anyone’s Irish language learning journey. Everyone has their favourite and one which speaks to them in a way that makes life easier to understand. In this series of short films, 10 people explain what their favourite seanfhocal or proverb is and why it is important to them.

This series links contemporary stories to ancient wisdom and gives an insight into people’s lives and a glimpse of the rich tapestry of the life experiences of those in our community. It was made by Clean Slate Television for BBC Gaeilge with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund.

Each episode is accompanied by learners’ notes - for beginners, improvers and those with a high level of fluency. It is the perfect series for anyone wanting to add to their ‘cúpla focal’ this Seachtain na Gaeilge.

Full series available to watch on bbc.co.uk/gaeilge

There is comfort in food and a new BBC Gaeilge series of online videos brings families together to recreate the special meals that reflect their shared past and food memories.

Seamus and his daughter Raphaelle team up to make their beloved curry paneer recipe and as the rich, aromatic dish simmers, the duo dive into a collage of old photos. Seamus shares stories from his childhood and recalls how food has always been at the heart of their family traditions.

Siblings Cait and Mícheál step back in time to bake their Uncle Pat’s cherished Pavlova recipe and reminisce about their adventures together, including unforgettable trips to the Fleadh and a visit to the Father Ted House on Craggy Island.

Brian is a charismatic chef who is passionate about tradition and shares the secrets behind his famed Irish chowder recipe with his younger cousin Aaron. While the recipe has been passed on from Brian’s mother, adding his own creative twist has given the classic chowder a unique flavour that’s won over locals and visitors alike.

Evie and Nia, cousins with a shared love for family traditions, bake their grandmother’s famous apple pie and brothers Máirtín and Gearóid prepare a delicious lobster and asparagus dish.

In their family home, siblings Siobhán and Colm come together to make their mother’s favourite chicken dinner, which has been a staple in their family for years. As they cook, they share personal stories reflecting on the ups and downs of their lives and the close-knit bond they have with their mother.

This mini-series was made by Triplevision for BBC Gaeilge with support from the Irish Language Broadcast Fund.

*Transmission times are subject to change*

ML