Reclaim Your Roots in 9 weeks
Scoil Scairte is a 9-week initiation into Irish language, land & lore a living bridge between past and future
Scoil Scairte is a 9-week journey into the heart and soul of Irish culture, heritage and language. This global online learning community explores how language can shape how we see the world and our place in it. Scoil Scairte isn’t a traditional course — it’s a cultural immersion into the psyche and soul of a resilient people and a storied land.
Curated by Kathy Scott in collaboration with Manchán Magan, our new expanded offering brings you the very best of what we do. It is guided by a collective of bilingual artists, activists, educators, culture bearers, indigenous language advocates, and global wisdom keepers. Each guide tends the flame of tradition, honouring the old ways in new ways.
This brand-new expanded edition blends self-paced lessons with live, interactive sessions, creating a learning experience that’s poetic, practical and profoundly transformative. Learn at your own pace, while benefiting from real-time guidance, community support and inspiration.
Over nine weeks, you’ll move through live gatherings and self-paced lessons that are both powerful
and provocative showing why Scoil Scairte is an award-winning programme.
✦ Self-Paced Programme – Connect from anywhere in the world, on your own schedule with lifetime access.
✦ Live Community Cohort Sessions – 9 weekly 90-minute bilingual sessions featuring language learning, practice time and immersive discussion. Manchán Magan will join us for the first and last sessions.
✦ Recorded Immrama – Guided voyages into Irish myth, memory, and imagination that help you drop into a soulful, sensory space between wakefulness and dreaming.
✦ Somatic Tools – Guided meditations and embodiment practices to resource and support you.
✦ The Vault – Access weekly curated highlights from some of our favourite Scoil Scairte guided sessions to deepen your learning journey.
✦ Care Packages & Weekly Bonuses – Extra resources and special treats delivered throughout the course.
✦ Full Access to Recordings – Every live session is recorded so you can revisit at any time.
If you’ve ever wanted to truly root yourself in authentic Irish culture — beyond shamrocks and shillelaghs — this is your invitation: Scoil Scairte is the most powerful way to connect with Irish land, language, and community, while deepening your practice, presence, and your place in the family of things.
Back in the 1700s, under colonial rule, Irish education was outlawed and learning took to the land. Hedge Schools gathered wherever shelter could be found along hedgerows, fields, mountains, forests, rivers, under the stars. Out at these wild edges, our culture was kept alive. Our Hedge School is a school for ancestors-in- training rooted in Ireland that calls the world to rewild our imaginations, remember our shared humanity and awaken the possibility we carry as global citizens.
At this extraordinary moment on our planet, it is more vital than ever to decolonise our minds and rewild our imaginations toward what is still possible. Scoil Scairte responds to the growing call for new ways of learning and unlearning, connecting and sharing.
Irish is one of the oldest living vernacular languages in Europe. It has shaped the cultural identity of the people on the island of Ireland for thousands of years. If a language dies we lose access to meaning, memory and our ways of being human. Despite a turbulent history the Irish language has survived and is encoded with a wisdom that can help us today.
Ireland was the first colony of the British Empire and our culture was deliberately suppressed. Many of us carry wounds of silence, shame, and disconnection. internalized and passed down through generations. In schools the Irish language was flattened into rote drills and burdened with perfectionism. In the diaspora there is a rupture in the root system which translates as grief for the land, language and lore.
This cultural severance has cut us off from belonging leaving the burden of exile in its wake.
It’s time to reclaim our dúchas, to become living bridges between past and future, to walk each other home as ancestors-in-training.
"In a culture shaped by rupture, Scoil Scairte is an act of repair. This is a collective soul retrieval that invites us to remember what was lost, mend what was broken, and carry the gifts forward for those yet to come. This pathway calls us into deeper response-ability, into an apprenticeship as ancestors-in-training — committed to living with courage and reverence."
Kathy Scott
We all descend from ancestors who told stories and sang songs. This course is for anyone who wants to bridge the gap between then and now.
If you live on the island of Ireland, if you are curious about Irish culture, or if you are among the 80 million in the diaspora who carry Irish heritage, Scoil Scairte is for you.
This course welcomes both beginners and seasoned practitioners. It is a supportive, practice-oriented space that meets you exactly where you are.
✦ You are drawn to discover more about Irish culture and heritage
✦ You have lost your comfort with the Irish language
✦ You are keen to explore the Irish language for the first time
✦ You are seeking new ways of engaging with nature, landscape and the inner realms through the Irish language
✦ You would like to meet like-hearted people in the company of a global learning community
✦ You feel pulled to revisit the Leaving Cert Irish you learned at school
✦ You are called to engage with indigenous ways of seeing, sensing and knowing
✦ You would simply like to enjoy an cúpla focal
✦ With culture
✦ With one another
✦ With language
✦ With land
✦ With lineage
Scoil Scairte offers a supportive, soulful environment to reconnect with yourself, with others and with the living world through the potency of this ancient language.
Our approach is holistic, trauma informed, somatically sensitive and created to suit diverse learning styles and needs. Building on our award-winning work, Scoil Scairte weaves science with spirituality, ancestral knowledge with systems change and somatic practices with shamanic technologies.
“Scoil Scairte is the most accessible trip to Ireland one can imagine. The world-class group of hosts, presenters, teachers, and musicians left no part of the language, culture, history, landscape and lived reality untouched or unspoken of. I am looking at my Irish ancestors, who all came to the US five generations back, in a new way. A few words are now on the lips of my children and family, and I feel anything is possible with the Irish language.”
Antaine Ó Raiftearaí, USA, Scoil Scairte participant
“Scoil Scairte is like medicine for the Celtic soul. It is enriching, empowering, welcoming and safe. It has been a beautiful way to connect and learn the ancient language of the land of which I was born but was separated from. It has been a wonderful feeling of returning home.”
Maeve Colombo, Scoil Scairte participant
Together, we create an inside-out journey of reconnection rooted in Irish wisdom
Won the European Language Label (ELL).
Welcomed hundreds of creatives from poets and philosophers to storytellers, and singers from Ireland and beyond.
Hosted seven live editions and a self-paced programme.
Built a unique global learning community - meitheal.
Produced the Focail agus Fís film series featuring Manchán Magan, Siobhán O’Kelly, and Annemarie Ní Churreáin.
Thousands of people have joined us from across the world for previous editions of Scoil Scairte, forming a global community of learning.
52% were total beginners and had not learned Irish elsewhere before their Scoil Scairte journey
52%of our learners come from North America, with 48% on the island of Ireland
95% of previous participants have continued to deepen their engagement with the language as a direct result of participating in Scoil Scairte.
92% have continued to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Irish culture as a direct result of participating in Scoil Scairte.
96% of participants have recommended Scoil Scairte to friends and family.
This course includes 9 core learning modules, with both introduction and integration features. Each module is themed and you will receive a range of videos, audio prompts, PDF care packages and bonus resources to explore as you go.
SEISIÚN 1: Welcome | Fáilte
Initiation: The spiral begins
Imramma Immersion: Opening the wonder-voyage
Why Are We Here? with Kathy & Manchán
Language & Blessings: Irish language learning with Joseph — blessings, land, and place
Guided Sessions: Dr. Louis de Paor • Timmy Creed • Diarmuid Lyng
Music: Liam Ó Maonlaí • Ajeet • Áine Tyrrell
Focail & Fís | Words & Vision Short films with Manchán
Guided Practices: Meditation, Breath & Somatic Embodiment with Kathy
Live Circle 1: Meitheal | Arriving in circle together as community of practice
SEISIÚN 2 Remembering our Roots | Ag Tabhairt ár bhFréamhacha chun Cinn
Setting our Foundations: Ancestors, Land, & Dúchas
Language Learning with Seosamh Mac Seoin: Tírdhreach | Land & Place
Guided Sessions: Timmy Creed • Diarmuid Lyng • Billy Mag Fhloinn • Michael Cronin
Music: Ceara Conway • Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh
Focail & Fís | Words & Vision Short films with Manchán
Guided Practices: Meditation, Breath & Somatic Embodiment with Kathy
Live Circle 2: Fíodóireacht | Weaving Language, Land, Lineage & the Web of Life
SEISIÚN 3: Returning to our Senses | Beo Bríomhar Arís
Drawing from the Well: Emotions, Sensuality & Creative Flow
Language Learning with Seosamh Mac Seoin: Mothúcháin | Emotions
Guided Sessions: Annemarie Ní Churreáin • Clare Sands • Síle Nic Chonaonaigh
Music: Clare Sands • Woven Kin • Jenny Ní Ruiséil
Focail & Fís | Words & Vision Short films with Manchán
Guided Practices: Meditation, Breath & Somatic Embodiment with Kathy
Live Circle 3: Spreag | Stirring the waters within
SEISIÚN 4: Reclaiming our Strength | Ní Neart go cur le Chéile
Kindling the Fire: Life Force, Vitality & Inner Power
Language Learning with Seosamh Mac Seoin: Clann | Family
Guided Sessions: Dr. Margaret Noodin • Fearghus Ó Conchúir • Michael Gallen
Music: Woven Kin & David Howley • Ceara Conway • Fay’d
Focail & Fís | Words & Vision Short films with Manchán
Guided Practices: Meditation, Breath & Somatic Embodiment with Kathy
Live Circle 4: Tindeáil | Tending the flames of passion
SEISIÚN 5: Opening our Hearts | Ag Oscailt ár gCroíthe
Awakening Heart and Hearth: Courage, Compassion & Care
Language Learning with Seosamh Mac Seoin: Focail Ghrá | Words of Love
Guided Sessions: Róise Goan • Bayo Akomolafe • Dónal Ó Céilleachair • Lucy O'Hagan
Music: Rising Appalachia
Focail & Fís | Words & Vision Short films with Manchán
Guided Practices: Meditation, Breath & Somatic Embodiment with Kathy
Live Circle 5: Múscailt | Awakening our hearts
SEISIÚN 6: Speaking our Mother Tongue | Ag Labhairt ár dTeanga Dhúchais
Finding our Voice: Expression, Truth & Resonance
Language Learning with Seosamh Mac Seoin: Caitheamh Aimsire | Interests & Passions
Guided Sessions: Úna-Minh Kavanagh • Iarla Ó Lionáird • Ríonach Uí Ógáin
Music: Woven Kin • Caitlín Ní Chualáin • Domhnall Ó Braonáin
Focail & Fís | Words & Vision Short films with Manchán
Guided Practices: Meditation, Breath & Somatic Embodiment with Kathy
Live Circle 6: Blas | Tasting and Savouring An Ghaeilge
SEISIÚN 7: Rewilding our Imagination | Fiántas Samhlaíoch ag Fás
Stepping into Vision: Insight, Wonder & Possibility
Language Learning with Seosamh Mac Seoin: Rudaí Áille | Beautiful Things
Guided Sessions: Carmel Winters • Caitríona McLaughlin • Colm Bairéad & Cleona Ní Chrualaoi
Music: Timmy & Maggie Creed
Conversation with Kneecap & Manchán
Focail & Fís | Words & Vision Short films with Manchán
Guided Practices: Meditation, Breath & Somatic Embodiment with Kathy
Live Circle 7: Samhlaíocht | Imagining the future
SEISIÚN 8: We are Interwoven | Fite Fuaite ina Chéile
Touching the Source: Wisdom, Soul & Interconnection
Language Learning with Seosamh Mac Seoin: The World & Belonging | An Domhan & Ceangal
Guided Sessions: Ola Majekodunmi • Seán Ó Tarpaigh • Lara Campbell
Music: Rising Appalachia & David Brown • Ceara Conway • RÓIS
Focail & Fís | Words & Vision Short films with Manchán
Guided Practices: Meditation, Breath & Somatic Embodiment with Kathy
Live Circle 8: Éiri | Rising up Rooted
SEISIÚN 9: Keep Going | Lean ar Aghaidh
Integration: The spiral closes
Imramma Immersion: Closing wonder-voyage
Lean ar Aghaidh | Keep Going with Kathy Scott & Manchán Magan
Language Learning with Seosamh Mac Seoin: Revision | Súil Siar |
Guided Sessions: Theo Dorgan • Moya Brennan
Reflection | Machnamh with Manchán Magan
Music: Rising Appalachia
C0nversation with Manchán Magan & Liam Ó Maonlaí
Guided Practices: Meditation, Breath & Somatic Embodiment with Kathy
Live Circle 9: Ceiliúradh | Closing Ritual
Bonuses:
World Wisdom Keeper Sessions
Keepers of the Flame on Film
This is an invitation to step into a living current where Irish language, land, story, song, body, and soul converge. We gather not only for personal enrichment, but as an act of remembrance and reconnection with culture, ancestors and the wider web of life.
✦ Weekly live sessions with a global cohort walking this path with you.
✦ Recorded teachings from artists, activists, and wisdom keepers.
✦ Practices and resources to weave into the fabric of daily life.
✦ A guided, accountable container to hold the deeper layers of this work
This program is carefully tended. If strong emotions or ancestral grief surface, you’ll have support and spaciousness to pause, integrate, and continue at your own pace.
If you’re ready to show up, step in with passion and presence, you will leave with something beyond measure: a felt reconnection to Irish culture and heritage, rooted in ancestry and carried forward as a global citizen.
€ 479
This rate helps us extend the hand of inclusion, making Scoil Scairte more accessible to those with limited means. Please consider this option if you have access to financial abundance through income, savings, investments, or generational wealth.
Register NowInstalment plans are available at checkout.
€ 399
This is the true cost of the programme and supports the ongoing weaving of our work at Scoil Scairte. Choose this tier if you can meet your needs consistently and have some financial stability.
Register NowInstalment plans are available at checkout.
€ 319
This rate is for those who feel called to join but may be navigating economic challenges or systemic barriers. If the standard rate feels out of reach, this tier is for you, with our full support and blessing. We trust you to choose what’s right for you at this time.
Register NowInstalment plans are available at checkout.
If none of these rates are accessible to you, we do offer a limited amount of partial scholarships to keep Scoil Scairte as accessible as possible to people from all walks of life.
Your 9-week journey begins 2 October 2025.
Spaces are limited: once enrollment closes, doors won’t reopen until the next cycle.
Apply for a ScholarshipA 9-week live voyage of discovery.
Lifetime access to 22+ hours of self-paced content.
Access to 25+ hours of carefully curated content from our Vault.
Meitheal - 9 live community calls over 9 weeks.
Recorded guided experiential practices to deepen learning and integration.
Imramma Meditations, mythic journeys and imaginative explorations
Enrolment opens 17 September 2025 and closes 1 October 2025.
Once doors close, the journey begins and spaces are capped to protect the integrity of our circle.
This is your chance to walk with us in 2025. Don’t wait another year to answer the call.
Thousands of people worldwide have joined our learning community and rekindled their sense of belonging, reclaimed their cultural heritage and tended to their deep longing for connection and kinship. We have helped them unlearn the patterns of colonial conditioning and rewild their imagination.
Our guarantee is that, over 9 weeks, you will join them in:
Understanding the power and potency of Ireland’s living culture
Unravelling colonial patterns and rewiring old stories around shame, silence, and separation
Experiencing how the Irish language invites us into a web of relationship with land, lineage and the more-than-human world
Embodying the importance of community, creativity and craic in reclaiming what was lost and reimagining what’s possible
Joseph (Seosamh Mac Seoin) an Ulster Irish teacher, actor & filmmaker who teaches at the Irish Arts Center in Manhattan and has also taught at the New York Irish Center in Queens. Dedicated to promoting the Irish language, Joseph is also a presenter on TG4/Cúla4, the first Irish-language kids' TV station.
Kathy Scott
Kathy is a cultural activist and creative entrepreneur dedicated to creating provocative experiences that animate the spirit of our times. Her greatest mission in this life is to nudge humanity forward by inspiring people to rise and lift each other up along the way. She is the creative director of The Trailblazery which was founded as a response to a need for deeper human connection and belonging in our world.
Manchán Magan
Manchán is a writer and documentary-maker. He has written books on his travels in Africa, India and South America and two novels. He writes occasionally for The Irish Times on culture & travel, presents the RTÉ podcast The Almanac of Ireland, and is author of the award-winning, best-selling Thirty-Two Words for Field (Gill, 2000), and Listen to the Land Speak (Gill, 2022). He has made dozens of documentaries on issues of world culture for TG4, RTÉ & Travel Channel.. He has lived for the last quarter century in an oak wood, with bees, hens, and occasionally pigs, in a grass-roofed house near Lough Lene, Co Westmeath.
No, all levels are welcome.
Yes, absolutely. Sessions are online and replays are available.
We believe that Scoil Scairte should be accessible to people from all walks of life. If cost is a barrier, please reach out to us at hello@thetrailblazery.com — we have a limited number of supported places available and will do our best to make Scoil Scairte accessible to you.
Each live session takes place at 7pm (Irish Time) over nine consecutive Thursdays.
All live sessions are broadcast over Zoom. You can watch or listen to the Scoil Scairte sessions online via any connected device — or listen audio-only by phone.
You’ll get full replays within 24 hours.
We release a care package each Friday containing course materials relevant to the week’s topics and teaching. Materials include the live session recordings, bonus videos, Field Notes and resources.
We recommend 2–3 hours to immerse and integrate.
We provide support, recordings, and context to ease you in.
If you have any further questions please contact hello@thetrailblazery.com.
© 2025 The Trailblazery – Scoil Scairte
Contact us: hello@thetrailblazery.com
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