Franklin, TENN. - O'More College of Design is partnering with TEAM IRELAND and Authentic Ireland Cultural Enrichment (A.I.C.E) to offer a series of weekly classes designed to promote Irish culture and its heritage. Each class, students will learn how to converse on various topics through the Gaelic language. People will also be able to participate in the through a live, online-viewing for each of the 10-week sessions.

TEAM IRELAND represents a partnership between nine distinct groups in Middle Tennessee that have an existing alliance with Ireland. These groups support an active relationship with the country in various ways, and TEAM IRELAND works to advance more robust relationships within the regional community.

"We want to bring together the people of Ireland and Middle Tennessee, and create a community that celebrates a common ancestry and shares a bond of Irishness," says Éilís Crean, fiddler and founder of TEAM IRELAND and A.I.C.E.  "This sentiment is perpetuated by the logo and mantra, ‘TEAM IRELAND, Fostering Dignity and Beauty in Our Shared Irishness.'"

The classes will kick off Monday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m. in The Ireland Room at O'More. In order to accommodate all schedules and locations, TEAM IRELAND and the design school will also offer a live viewing through Skype.  

Each weekly class will center around Irish conversation, called "Cómhrá Ghaeilge​​." The series' mission is to pass along Irish culture in the form of language, music, song, dance and storytelling.  Crean says that her inspiration for the Irish group, and this series, lies in one of the country's oldest traditions.

"Historically, people in Ireland gathered at houses to play music or even at a crossroads where dancers were included," Crean says. "The purpose of the gathering was camaraderie and friends-to inspired and vitalize one another. That's what I hope to do here."

More specifically, these classes will include lessons and conversations about the Gaelic language, traditions and folklore.  Some lectures will be based around common themes, such as New Year's resolutions and St. Patrick's Day. However, Crean says that the series will focus mainly on Irish heritage, with in-depth topics such as: traditional Irish music, song, dance, storytelling, history and many more ideas prevalent to the Irish culture.

The classes will last one hour, and participants are encouraged to sign up for the full 10-week package. To view the weekly curriculum and sign up for classes, visitwww.eiliscreanAICE.com, or email " target="_blank" style="color: #1155cc;">.