What The Focal – Irish Language Meet-Up in London | Play Games, Learn & Share Gaeilge

What to Expect…

😄 Craic + Caidre: Fun + Friendship
🍺 Cainte + Sláinte: Conversation + Drinks
♟️ Cluichí + Cartaí: Games + Cards
💚 All levels fáilte – welcome!

Why Attend WTF?

WTF is a spás spraoi — a fun space to meet people and speak Irish in a way that makes you feel go hiontach — fantastic rather than go uafásach – dreadful!

Oh yes — we see you. We too have felt the díomá (disappointment) and dólás (despair) after a terrible teanga meet-up. WTF! We feel you.

Cinnte – certainly – What The Focal is a Pop-up Gaeltacht, yet it stands apart.
Here we believe that difference is draíochta – magical. Our mission is to make you feel abhaile – at home – whilst you get to know (and grow) Gaeilge.

Games, Conversation & Fun

• • Play board games like Monopoly, Cluedo, and Scrabble in Irish (instructions as Gaeilge freisin!)

  • Ficheall – chess – and other Gaeilge games for advanced learners

  • Use cheat sheets for comhrá – chats, or help others with na cluichí – games

Come with a chara – friend, or come alone. Ná bí buartha (NBB) – don’t worry! You’ll be with kindred spirits and i gcónaí – always fun fuinneamh – vibes.

Whether you have a cúpla focal or are liofa – fluent – this playful and inclusive space is for you. After all, ní neart go cur le chéile – there’s no strength unless we support each other. Just bring your enthusiasm! We are ar bís – can’t wait to meet you.

Meet Your Hosts

What the Focal was co-founded by Laois-born charity director, writer and activist Naomi Elster (PhD), and Máire É Ní Mhaolalaidh – Mary Ellen Saha.

Gaeilgeoir Máire É is always réidh–ready to support you any way she can. The múinteoirí –teachers from the ICC ranganna– classes join us go mimic –often.

Is WTF for Me?

👍🏾 English-accent? FAB – Fadhb ar bith! (No probs)
👍🏾 Irish-accent? FAB – Fadhb ar bith! (No probs)
👍🏾 Fluent in Irish or not a focal – word? FAB – Fadhb ar bith!