Success is the word for Scrabble as Gaeilge

Date Published: 08-Dec-2010

The creators of Scrabble as Gaeilge are planning to develop a computer application to allow Irish-speaking Scrabble enthusiasts across the globe to play the game online through social networking sites such as Facebook.

An Irish-language version of the classic board game Scrabble went on sale a month ago following the success of Junior Scrabble as Gaeilge, which was officially launched in Galway last February.

The games have sold well and are expected to be among the most popular additions to Christmas stockings in Irish homes this year. Plans are also afoot to stage the inaugural Scrabble as Gaeilge Championships during Seachtain na Gaeilge next March.

The Irish-language groups behind the project are now planning to open the game to a worldwide network of Irish-speaking players by developing a computer application or ‘app’ to allow gamers to compete against each via the internet.

Scrabble can be currently played online in up to six languages through social networking and specialised websites and it is expected that an app to allow people to play Scrabble as Gaeilge will be available within the next year.

“People have been playing the game and talking about their high scores on various websites,” said Eoghan MacCormaic of Glór na nGael, which is one of the organisations that secured the licence for the game.

“It would be ideal if an app could be developed to play Scrabble in Irish online in about a year’s time and that is very much our plan. We’ve already made contact with the relevant people with a view to doing this.”

The release of Classic Scrabble as Gaeilge followed the successful launch of Junior Scrabble, which has gained popularity in both homes and classrooms since last February.

See full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune.