Féile Portland
6-8 November 2026
A fun and engaging weekend-long celebration of Irish language (Gaeilge) and culture featuring language classes, cultural workshops, conversation groups, social outings, community engagement, and more!
Féile Portland is a language-learning opportunity for folks interested in speaking Irish Gaelic (Gaeilge) for the first time or in strengthening skills already acquired through study - all wrapped up in a weekend-long celebration! This event features three levels of Irish instruction by gifted teachers; conversational break-out groups with friendly local-learners; engaging cultural workshops in singing, dancing, and poetry; and three entertaining evening social-events located in venues across Portland.
2026’s event will kick off on Friday, November 6th and will conclude on Sunday, November 8th. More information including cost, registration, travel/lodging information, etc., below. Bígí linn a chairde!
Please welcome this year’s guest instructors FLTA Kate Lawlor (Gorey, Co. Wexford), Denis Kautsman-Kofanov (Seattle, WA), Caitríona Weafer (Los Angeles, CA) and more TBA.
Kate Lawlor is from Gorey, County Wexford and graduated with a BA in Irish & Irish Folklore in 2025 from University College Dublin, where she also earned an MA in Scríobh agus Cumarsáid na Gaeilge. She is currently a Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant at Notre Dame University and has a passion for the Irish language, traditional music, and Gaelic sport.
Denis Kautsman-Kofanov is a Middle East librarian at the University of Washington in Seattle. He has a degree in linguistics. He has been speaking, studying and teaching Irish for 15 years and has spent time in the Mayo Gaeltacht studying the local dialect. In addition to Irish, he is interested in the other Celtic languages, especially Welsh and Cornish, and is involved in the Seattle Scottish Gaelic scene.
Caitríona Weafer was born and raised in Ireland. A qualified primary school teacher (B. Ed. H.Dip) and Irish dance teacher (TMRF), she taught in an elementary school in County Laois. While there she decided to teach art and physical education through Irish. In the summer, she took her students to Connemara where she taught summer classes. She lived in Japan and taught Japanese in Dublin when she returned. In the States, Caitríona got a degree in Spanish (MA) and taught Spanish and Japanese in elementary, middle, and high schools, and Spanish at a Community College. Having gotten experience teaching various languages, Caitríona founded the L. A. branch of Conradh na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League). She called it Craobh na nAingeal (Branch of the Angels). They had their frst TEG exam at their Immersion Weekend in 2019. Caitríona likes her life in Irish. She forms her own Gaeltacht wherever she goes. Now she lives in California. She works on Zoom now with Lets Learn Irish (DC) and with The Gaelic League, LA. She wants to share her love of Irish and how to get fun out of learning with people wherever they are in the world.
Féile Schedule 2026
Dé hAoine | Friday
6:00pm onward! Deochanna agus caint | Drinks and conversation at T. C. O’Leary’s Pub
Dé Sathairn | Saturday
9:00–9:30am Clárú, fáilte, agus tae! | Registration, welcome, and tea!
9:30-10:00am Comhrá 1 | Conversation 1
10:00-11:00 Rang 1 | Class 1
11:00-11:30 Comhrá 2 | Conversation 2
11:30-12:30 Rang 2 | Class 2
12:30-2:00pm Am lóin (i bhur n-aonar) | Lunchtime (on your own)
2:00-3:00pm Ceardlanna chultúir | Cultural workshops
3:00-3:30pm Comhrá 3 | Conversation 3
3:30-4:30pm Rang 3 | Class 3
4:30-5:00pm Am saor | Free time
7:00-9:00pm Dinnéar agus oíche airneáil | Dinner and entertainments at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub
Dé domhnaigh | Sunday
9:00–9:30am Clárú, fáilte, agus tuilleadh tae! | Registration, welcome, and more tea!
9:30-10:00am Comhrá 4 | Conversation 1
10:00-11:00 Rang 4 | Class 1
11:00-11:30 Comhrá 5 | Conversation 2
11:30-12:30 Rang 5 | Class 2
12:30-2:00pm Am lóin (i bhur n-aonar) | Lunchtime (on your own)
2:00-3:00pm Ceardlanna chultúir | Cultural workshops
3:00-3:30pm Comhrá 6 | Conversation 6
3:30-4:30pm Rang 6 | Class 6
4:30-5pm Am saor | Free time
5pm Slán abhaile | Farewells
6pm Pointaí chiúine | Quiet pints at T. C. O’Leary’s Pub
Venue Locations:
T. C. O’Leary’s Pub (Friday/Sunday Night socials)
2926 NE Alberta St
Portland OR 97211
Portland community college, Sylvania Campus (classes/workshops)
Technology Classroom Building (main floor)
12000 SW 49th Ave
Portland OR 97219
Kells Irish Pub (Saturday Night dinner & entertainments)
112 SW 2nd Ave
Portland OR 97204