> Sat 26th Sept
“Deaf Culture Is a Human Right.”
Deaf culture is shaped by our shared language, identity, history, experiences and connections with one another. In Ireland, Irish Sign Language is at the heart of that culture, helping us communicate, share stories, pass on knowledge and build relationships across generations.
Article 30 of the UNCRPD recognises the cultural and linguistic identity of Deaf people, including sign languages and Deaf culture.
Deaf culture should not only be celebrated during one week of the year. It should be respected, supported and included throughout Irish society, with space for Deaf led events, ISL, our history and our own stories.
As we come towards the end of ISL Awareness Week and International Week of Deaf People 2026, we’re revisiting an important conversation from last year with Dr. Nora Duggan on multilingualism and Deaf education.
Dr. Duggan discusses what multilingualism can mean for Deaf people, including navigating sign and spoken languages, cultural influences, and the experiences of Deaf migrants learning both ISL and English.
Seanchoíche
The first Irish Sign Language Seanchoíche brought 100 Deaf and hearing people together at The Fumbally for an evening of personal stories, humour, reflection and connection.
A sincere thank you to Ciarán Gaffney and the Seanchoíche team for embracing this collaboration and creating a space where ISL was at the centre of the evening.
Most importantly, thank you to every storyteller Damien Owens, Caoimhe O Connell, Joshiel, Alexis Liao, Brian Crean, Patricia Heffernan, Niall Mc Govern, Michelle Campbell Mc Laughlin, Yasmine Young, Japhet Ogu and Emily Matassa who trusted the audience with their experiences. Each story brought something completely different to the night.
We would also like to thank our ISL interpreters, Cormac Leonard and Darren Byrne, and everyone from IDS and Seanchoíche who worked behind the scenes to bring the event together.
A very special night for our community and one we will remember for a long long time.
