This thesis explores the possibilities of developing communicative approaches to the teaching of Old Irish to absolute beginners, also providing possible options to implement this practice. After an analysis of the communicative approaches applied to the teaching of Latin and Ancient Greek since the Renaissance (Chapter 1), the focus is switched to the Old Irish learning materials published since the first full description of the language (second half of the 19th century), which are reviewed one by one in Chapter 2. In Chapter 3, I introduce my own project for an Old Irish textbook based on the conversational approach and explain its main principles. Chapter 4 is instead focused on advanced beginners and their serious need for ‘bridge texts’, that is, reading texts that facilitate and foster the transition from the textbook to original literature. I will also discuss the option of producing such texts by translating existing literary works and the issues that this kind of translation may raise. Chapter 5 provides materials that exemplify my endeavours towards innovative approaches to Old Irish language teaching.