Turn screen time into something fun AND educational with SpongeBob “as gaeilge”! The new Irish language version of the hit The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on The Run is available to watch now on Netflix – much to parents’ delight!

Don’t miss the chance to have your say! We’re looking for parents to get involved and give their feedback on all aspects of family life. Find out more here.

Parents challenged with homeschooling during lockdown will be delighted to hear that The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on The Run is available to watch on Netflix ‘as Gaeilge’.

Spongebob an Scannán: Rith, Spúinse, Rith created by Macalla Teo, with the support of TG4 and Paramount Pictures, is the first Irish language version of a movie on Netflix.

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SpongeBob “as Gaeilge” is Even Better!

SpongeBob SquarePants, his best friend Patrick Star and the rest of the gang from Bikini Bottom star in the first-ever all CGI SpongeBob motion picture event.

After SpongeBob’s beloved pet snail Gary is snail-napped, he and Patrick embark on an epic adventure to The Lost City of Atlantic City to bring Gary home. As they navigate the delights and dangers on this perilous and hilarious rescue mission, SpongeBob and his pals prove there’s nothing stronger than the power of friendship.

The film is voiced in English by Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Keanu Reeves (Sage) and Matt Berry (Poseidon), while well-known Irish actors Marcus Lamb, Lochlainn O’Mearáin, Brian Thunder, Carmel Stephens and TV presenter Daithí Ó Sé have taken on the roles in the Irish language version of the film.

Daithí Ó Sé, who voices King Poseidon in Irish, said: “King Poseidon is an exuberant character who is somewhat full of himself. Thankfully, not like me at all, so I had to dig deep to act the part! Because of Covid 19 restrictions, we recorded the character voice from home, and my young son was eavesdropping for some of the recording. He’s delighted his Dad has a starring role in the movie!”

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What About Parents?

Making the Irish language accessible and engaging to a wider audience is great for all ages. School children may be used to watching Irish language programmes in class, or on TG4 where popular programmes (including SpongeBob) are re-voiced in Irish. Many parents, however, may be non-Irish speakers or only have a ‘cupla focal’ and need a refresher. If that sounds like you, don’t panic!

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on The Run can be watched ‘as Gaeilge’ with Irish voices and English subtitles to help with translation, or Irish voices and Irish language subtitles. The settings can be changed easily in the Audio and Subtitles settings on Netflix.

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Have your say! Would your kids enjoy watching SpongeBob “As Gaeilge” on Netflix? Would you feel less guilty about screen time? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!