“Giorraionn beirt bother”.

That is to say in Irish, “Two people shorten the road”.Yet there will be many more people on the road at the 4th annual Friends of Irish Studies, Idaho “The Hooley” on the night of April 28th . Irish dancing, food, and music will be presented at this grand festival to learn of and celebrate Ireland’s culture. Tickets may be purchased for $35 per person or $250 for a table of eight at The College Market coffee shop at 604 S. 8th Ave. in Pocatello or by contacting Garth Lambson at irishidaho@ymail.com.

Following the festivities of The Hooley on Friday night, the following morning will begin anew with Ireland in Pocatello. Yes, Ireland—the land of forty shades of green, of fiddles playing century-old traditional songs, of Uillean pipes calling to those of long ago, of the small villages where the Irish language is still spoken daily will come alive as Irish language, music, and folklore classes begin the morning of April 29th and continue on the 30th . The immersion weekend has a cost of $50 to register at irishidaho@ymail.com , or $75 if purchased with a Hooley ticket. Four classes will be taught on Saturday April 29th and three will be taught on April 30th .

Garth Lambson, who helps coordinate the Irish language program at ISU and in Southeastern Idaho, is excited to introduce these immersion classes that will be taught by five Irish instructors: three from County Donegal, Ireland and two from County Kerry, Ireland. These talented native speakers will demonstrate and teach Uillean pipes, fiddle, céilí dancing, sean-nos singing, Irish folklore, history, the Irish language, and more.

Yet that isn’t all that is provided.

For those who taste the Irish culture over the weekend and want more, classes structured on the immersion weekend classes will be available in the Fall semester through ISU’s Continuing Education and Workforce Training. Classes will be taught by three of the same instructors as before and will further cultivate your knowledge and experience with all things Irish.

CEWT has partnered with Garth Lambson and we are excited for the new roads and opportunities this will bring to our community.

For more information, visit the CEWT website at cetrain.isu.edu, or contact our office at (208) 282-3372.