Hello everyone - I guess you're wondering who is pictured above - well, that's me in the middle (wearing two of my knits!) and also pictured are Áine Ní Dhroighneáin and Laura May. And I guess you've gathered we're doing something related to Local Enterprise Week!
Local Enterprise Week takes place in the first week in March - which overlaps with Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish Week). This year our Local Enterprise Office has arranged to have a mini food and craft fair at the offices of the Galway County Council, which features Galway-based bilingual businesses. Áine (in orange cardigan) has a flower wreath & decoration business, and Laura (in blue dress) creates those lovely metal garden decorations with her father, which feature Irish animals. And of course, I'll bring all the knits I have in stock. There will also be candles, fudge, snacks, drinks, home decorations and other items from various Galway businesses. I'm really looking forward to it - though this is the first time the LEO are trying this so we aren't sure if customers will be aware of it. We will be in the reception area of the Galway County Council, which is nice and centrally located on Prospect Hill, just off Eyre Square in the heart of Galway. It will run from Monday to Wednesday the first week of March (2nd-4th), from 10 am to 3 pm each day. I'd love to see you if you are in the area!
I'm hoping that some customers will feel happy to chat to me as Gaeilge/through Irish. The Irish language, Gaeilge, is a huge part of my heritage; it is my native language, and what I speak to my family. It is the main language spoken in the Aran Islands, although we are all fluent in English too. Fun fact - I also have a part-time job in my local school as an Irish language assistant, which I really enjoy. It's great to be part of an environment which supports children to make the language a vital part of their day! It feels like the language is enjoying some growth in Ireland at the moment, with more positivity towards it than there was in the past.
Let's see if the mini craft fair is a success - I'll let you know in my next newsletter! You can subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of the page here. Feel free to let me know if there is something in particular you would like me to write about, either by replying here, or through my social media (Instagram or Facebook are easy for messaging).
That reminds me that I put a new little knitting-related video up on my social media, showing how to 'join to work in the round'. Here's a link if you think that might be helpful for you or a friend: YouTube and TikTok and the previously mentioned Instagram and Facebook : )