Geata, meaning gate or gateway in Irish, is the festival’s educational component. It will include a series of masterclasses with traditional musicians, singers and dancers in Claregalway College on 15 November.

‘As part of our strategic plans to ensure the best outcomes for Galway’s children and young people where performance music education is concerned, we need to address the fact that when it comes to our Irish traditional arts, all too often too many of Galway’s young performers must travel outside the county to access high-level tuition,’ - Eric Cunningham, Artistic Director of Galway TradFest and Music Generation Galway County’s Music Development Officer

Tugann an t-ainm ‘geata’ an méid atá ar na bacáin le fios – idir máistir-ranganna ardleibhéil, meantóireacht, seisiúin cheoil do thosaitheoirí, léirithe, amharclannaíocht agus gníomhaíochtaí eile, agus feidhmeoidh siad mar gheata, nó bealach isteach chuig na gníomhaíochtaí, agus cuirfidh siad deis ar fáil do leanaí agus do dhaoine óga as Gaillimh agus dóibh siúd a bheidh ar cuairt sa cheantar freastal orthu.

The name ‘geata'(gate/gateway) symbolises that what is planned, through high-level masterclasses, mentoring, instrument taster sessions, performances, theatre and other programme activities, will represent a gateway to access and opportunity for children and young people from Galway and also those visiting the area for the event.