Abair

The aim of this competition is to give students experience in speaking Irish.

Each school is permitted up to four speakers in all four sections of the competition. Winners of the qualifying rounds proceed to the final, to be held in Spring 2026. Competitors will be allowed to speak on a topic of their choice, as long as the topic is topical and interesting. Each speaker who advances to the Finals must choose a new topic for that round.

Usually five or six local qualifying rounds are held during school hours throughout Ulster. Venues are decided when all entry forms have been received.

The winners of the various divisions at the local rounds will advance to the Abair Championship. There will be 4 divisions of competition in Abair and each school will be allowed to enter a maximum of four speakers in each division.

Roinn A:

Meánscoileanna faoi GCSE & Teastas Sóisearach

Roinn B:

Faoi GCSE & Teastas Sóisearach- scoileanna ghramadaí, scoileanna ghaeltachta, gaelscoileanna

Roinn C:

Faoi ardteist nó AS/A2

Roinn D:

Faoi ardteist nó AS/A2 in earnáil na gaelscolaíochta nó scoileanna ghaeltachta(mura mbeidh go leor iarratas do Roinn D nascfar le Roinn C é)

First and second prizes will be awarded in each category at the local rounds provided the judges are satisfied with the number and quality of speakers. Each speaker will be awarded a Gael Linn certificate. A plaque and half a scholarship to Mhachaire Rabhartaigh College or Coláiste Bun an Inbhir will be awarded to first and second place in each category at the finals.

Speakers in sections A and B will speak for a maximum of 3 minutes and speakers in sections C and D will speak for a maximum of 4 minutes.

The judges’ decision will be final at the Abair rounds and it is Gael Linn’s policy not to show the judges’ marks to anyone.

The speakers will each receive 100 marks divided as follows:

Reflection 40
Presentation 40
Fluency 20

Register at the top of the page and follow the instructions to complete and submit the form online. The closing date for entries is 14 November 2025. There will be an entry fee of £5.00/€5.00 for each speaker.