Young people from Wales and Ireland celebrate ten years of collaboration

Nation Cymru staff

Members of Welsh youth organisation Urdd Gobaith Cymru and Irish youth project TG Lurgan have once again come together to break down language barriers and continue building relationships between their two communities.

This week, around 400 TG Lurgan young people and 30 Urdd members attended the residential summer course, Coláiste Lurgan, in Connemara.

Tonight (Friday, 21 August 2026) a Féile (concert) will be held to provide an opportunity for the young people to perform popular songs in Welsh and Irish, alongside original compositions. The concert will also feature performances by professional bands and former TG Lurgan participants.

The partnership between the Urdd and TG Lurgan was launched just weeks before the Covid-19 lockdown.

In January 2021, the two organisations came together virtually to create the first-ever Welsh and Irish-language music video, Golau’n Dallu / Dallta ag na Solise, an adaptation of The Weeknd’s hit song Blinding Lights.

The video was streamed more than 100,000 times within a month of its release.

Since then, their joint productions have attracted more than one million views across video and music streaming platforms.

The visit by Urdd members to Connemara this week marks the tenth residential camp shared by the two youth organisations, with the aim of recording a music video of Coldplay’s popular song Yellow in both Welsh and Irish.

First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, said: “Ireland was the destination for my first overseas visit as First Minister, reflecting the importance of the relationship between our two Celtic nations and the deep connections we share through our languages, cultures and history.

“This partnership between the Urdd and TG Lurgan is a brilliant example of that relationship in action. By bringing young people together through music, Cymraeg and Gaeilge, it is helping to build friendships, celebrate our shared heritage and inspire the next generation to keep our languages and cultures thriving. I congratulate everyone involved in reaching this tenth collaboration and look forward to seeing the partnership continue to flourish.”

Ceren Roberts, Director of International Affairs, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, said: “The partnership between the Urdd and TG Lurgan is an example of how youth-led projects can flourish, evolve and contribute directly to cultural diplomacy. Over the past five years, this initiative has created unique opportunities for young people from Wales and Ireland to work together, engaging directly with more than 1,000 Welsh and Irish-speaking participants.

“Through creative projects, cultural exchanges and digital productions, the partnership has promoted the status of minority languages, strengthened links between Wales and Ireland, and reached global audiences. The Urdd remains committed to developing its partnership with TG Lurgan and supporting the Ireland-Wales Shared Statement, ensuring that young people remain at the heart of cultural and linguistic cooperation and creating opportunities for them to lead in an international context.”

Speaking about the musical collaboration, Mícheál Ó Foighil, Director of TG Lurgan, said: “Our partnership with the Urdd demonstrates the power of creativity and language exchange to inspire young people. By creating opportunities for young people to use Welsh and Irish in a natural, social and creative way, the collaboration builds confidence, fosters friendships and strengthens connections between the two languages. TG Lurgan’s experience shows that providing the right space and opportunities for young people is key, with their energy, creativity and desire to connect with one another driving the success of the partnership.”

Urdd members are visiting Connemara between 18 and 22 August 2026, with the concert taking place tonight (Friday, 21 August)

The Urdd and TG Lurgan have released 9 co-productions to date:

1. Golau’n Dallu / Dallta ag na Soilse  (Jan 2021) 

2. Gwenwyn / Nimhneach  (April 2021)

3. Dŵr Dan Bont / Uisce Faoin Droichead (June 2023)

4. Gwalia / A Bhanba, O Gymru (April 2023)

5. Human (April 2023)

6. Heno’n Ifanc / Muid Fós Óg (August 2023)

7. Texas Hold ‘Em (June 2024)

8. Dog Days are Over (August 2024)

9. Dreams (August 2025)

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