Comment by Ryan O'Rourke on August 2, 2013 at 1:37pm

Coláiste Lurgan is right here in our little village of Indreabhán, and I can tell you first-hand that it is a massively successful organisation.  We're here in the heart of the Connemara Gaeltacht in Indreabhán, and the Irish language thrives throughout the year.  However, once summer rolls around, we have THOUSANDS of teenagers roll in to our little village to learn Irish or to improve on what they already have.  It goes on all summer long, and the vitality and enthusiasm they bring to the study of Gaeilge only serves to bolster this community's love for the language.

Just look at the videos above and you'll see the passion.  I hear people from other parts of the country (especially Dublin) talk about how the language is dead or dying ... and I just laugh.  It's an ignorant statement.  

*** NEWSFLASH: Speaking Irish is cool again. ***

Comment by Tiffany Silverberg on August 3, 2013 at 10:38am

As a linguist, it always does my heart well to see young people taking up "dying" languages. 

Comment by Kathleen Acker on August 3, 2013 at 2:59pm

I saw the first video as part of the Hibernia College's 8 week course on Introduction to Ireland; it was an amazing course.  To watch these young people absorbing the language and appear more concerned about the rhythm of the cup placement vs. speech, is terrific!  (I had to go and look up the song, in English, because I cannot understand Irish - yet!) I am determined to learn it, even just a bit. 

I would love to see this school sometime - all that energy and enthusiasm!

Comment by Bit Devine on August 3, 2013 at 11:53pm

Chomh fada agus a labhraíonn Gaeilge glór ceann, ní bheidh sé bás - 

As long as one voice speaks Irish, It will not die

Gaeilgeoir Comment by Bernie Joyce on August 4, 2013 at 5:40pm

It is a myth to say the Irish language is dead or dying and it is only spoken during the summer months while the Coláistaí Gaeilge are going on. Yes it is only spoken on a full time basis in the Gaeltachts but by people of all ages. It is not a cultural thing but a way of life. We have Radio na Gaeltachta, TG4, our own music and songs and we speck it in our schools,shops and pubs.

When I lived in London I only spoke English at work or when shopping. The rest of the time it was Gaeilge and I was'nt the only one. On a Sunday morning you would have herd more Irish than any other language spoken in East Street market.  I know people who were born in the US and UK that have Irish or at least understand it because their parents spoke it . Most likely the new wave of Irish people who have left will continue to speck it in the country they inhabit.

It annoys me when I hear people say that it is a waste of time and money to teach Irish in our schools and we should teach a Chinese language instead. If the language died completely Ireland would be a poorer place because of it and we would loose part of our identity. 

Comment by Ryan O'Rourke on August 5, 2013 at 7:46am

Well said, Bernie. Most of the folks who predict the demise of the language are trying to create a self-fulfilling prophecy if sorts. They very clearly hate all aspects of uniquely Irish culture. "West Brits" -- It'd be better for everyone if they moved east across the sea to where their hearts are.

Comment by Maire Flynn on August 6, 2013 at 10:16am

Ta, mo chroi mo gra gaielge -- Ta agam, e tu lucht a bhfuil acu agus lucht nach bhfuil .

Comment by jacqueline on August 6, 2013 at 12:35pm

i live in armagh city and its definitely not dead her there is a very good nursery school, primary school and st catherines college has a unit for only irish speaking students i have a nephew who has came through these schools and did his gcse irish at the age of 12 

Comment by Gerard Cappa on August 6, 2013 at 1:09pm

Jacqueline

Tá an Ghaeilge beo in Ard Mhacha!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCiRqI4g6tg

Comment by jacqueline on August 6, 2013 at 1:30pm

thank you both my nephews are speaking in this video was trying to share it to Facebook but it wouldn't let me

Comment

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• …
• 6
• Next ›
• Page