A key focus of this work is addressing the need for more artists and creative practitioners with the capacity to work through Irish, helping to strengthen Irish-language provision across Irish-medium, Gaeltacht and English-medium educational settings.

Motivated by research in BLAST 2024/25, 2026 saw the delivery of the first TAP+ Cúrsa Lán-Ghaeilge, a significant milestone in the development of Irish-language creativity and arts in education provision. Building on the established TAP+ model, the course supported professional development through wellbeing, relationships and creative partnership, providing teachers and creative practitioners with an opportunity to engage in creativity-rich learning entirely through the medium of Irish.

With the support of Department of Education and Youth, Education Support Centres Ireland, teachers and creative practitioners from across the country came together in July for a five-day EPV-approved professional learning course in and Laois Education Support Centre to participate in the inaugural TAP+ Cúrsa Lán-Ghaeilge. Promotion of the opportunity was supported by Oireachtas na Gaeilge and Ealaín na Gaeltachta, helping to raise awareness of the initiative and reach Irish-speaking creative practitioners nationwide.

As a core element of the TAP+ model, participating teachers and creative practitioners will continue their work during the 2026/27 school year through funded school-based residencies. Together, each partnership will design and deliver a creative project that places youth voice at its centre, ensuring that young people help shape the direction and development of the residency.

Creative Youth looks forward to following these creative partnerships as they evolve and develop Irish-language through creativity and arts in education practice and networks nationwide.