Beginning to Learn
Whether you are just getting started or you need to review the basics, our introductory courses will make you feel right at home speaking Irish.
Corresponds to Fluency From Absolute Beginner to A2/B1
Begin at the Beginning….
Dedicated Teachers
Our teachers understand how difficult it is to learn a new language. Working with a group that has been teaching the language since 1872 has its advantages: we have the experience to help you learn!
Supportive Community
You’ll take classes with other students who are on the same journey that you are taking. Study groups and friendships made along the way will help carry you forward to your goal.
Respected Texts
Our classes use a variety of respected texts to teach the language, all of which are readily available via online retailers. We also provide our own materials to help students begin to learn quickly.
Summer 2025 Basic Level
Tús Maith / A good beginning.
There are 2 groups: Fridays at 10AM Irish Time and Wednesdays at 8PM Irish Time.
Múinteoir / Teacher: Nigel McLoughlin.
Sign in at https://groups.io/g/philo-tusmaith .
Progress in Irish 1-15 - Section A.
Saturdays at 1PM Chicago Time, 2PM New York Time; 7PM Ireland Time.
We will review Chapters 1-15 and begin to do some síscealta (fairy tales) that are at an appropriate level for students who have completed the first 15 chapters of Progress in Irish. We will also focus on creating daily activities in Irish to help students immerse themselves in the language, even when not in class. Múinteoir / Teacher: Patrick Hanley.
Sign in at https://groups.io/g/philo-progress1-15 .
Progress in Irish 16-30 - Section A.
Saturdays at 4PM Chicago Time, 2PM California Time, 10PM Ireland Time.
We will review Chapter 16-30 and practice conversation based around the Fáinne Airgid questions, and look at some slightly more complex short stories from Micheál Ó Conghaile's "An Diabhal Ar an Ól." Múinteoir / Teacher: Patrick Hanley.
Sign in at https://groups.io/g/philo-progress16-30 .
Progress In Irish 16-30.
Group 1-15 zoom is now functioning as Progress in Irish 16-30.
It will continue on Sundays at 2:00pm Irish Time; (9am New York; 5pm Dubai)
Current students will remain registered to the group, those wishing to join can Múinteoir / Teacher: Nigel McLoughlin.
Sign in at https://groups.io/g/philo-progress1-15-zoom .
Bedtime Stories.
Everyone who has done Progress in Irish 1-15 seems to do fine in this class. We read from the videos and go over the grammar. Múinteoir / Teacher: Éamonn de Bhál.
Sign in at https://groups.io/g/philo-bedtime-stories-in-irish .
Progress in Irish 16-30.
Mondays at 8PM New York Time. Múinteoir / Teacher: Éamonn de Bhál.
Sign in at https://groups.io/g/philo-progress16-30C .
Reading for Beginners.
Every other Tuesday beginning June 10, 2025 at 8pm New York Time.
Including Irish literature, Progress In Irish 16-30, Folklore in Irish, 16th Century History in Irish, etc. at Advanced Beginner level. Múinteoir / Teacher: Mary O'Brien.
Sign in at https://groups.io/g/philo-reading-for-beginners .
Progress In Irish 26-30. (Continuing on from PII 15-25.)
Mondays at 7:30PM New York Time (Tuesdays at 7:30AM Kuala Lumpur Time). June 16 through July 28. Múinteoir / Teacher: Éamonn Ó Muirgheasa.
Sign in at https://groups.io/g/philo-progress15-25 .
Yellow Belt Irish (A2, advanced beginner's Irish) - Continuation.
Fridays at 10am Eastern Australia Time (AEST).
Practice with conversation, listening comprehension, videos, reading practice and optional writing exercises. Not suited to absolute beginners. Éascaitheoir / Facilitator: Jean Hollis.
Sign in at https://groups.io/g/philo-yellow-belt-irish .
Irish Memes.
Wednesdays at 1PM New York Time (10AM in California, 6PM in Ireland, 10PM in Dubai). Continuing from the prior term so join now! We explore the Irish Language in all available mediums, from internet memes to movie posters, poems, songs, folklore, and mythology like Oisín i dTír na n-Óg. Bilingual conversation in Gaeilge and English as we build our vocabulary together. All levels are welcome! Múinteoir / Teacher: Gráinne Ní Chaimbeal.
Sign in at https://groups.io/g/philo-Irish-memes .