Irish language

‘We need a culture where people don’t just sell their house to the highest bidder’ – The Irish Times

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There are hundreds of crumbling and derelict houses dotted across the landscape of the Gaeltachts from Kerry to Donegal. These homes once belonged to people who have long since emigrated and may have been passed on to family members. This makes tackling the issue of affordable housing a “complicated and sensitive issue” due to strong … Read more

‘The world feels mad these days’: Limerick’s Louise Cantillon on her new TV series

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LIMERICK’S LOUISE Cantillon – presenter of How to Gael, and Today FM star – is to return for the fourth season of TG4 travel show Téacs Taistil on Thursday, April 2 at 9.30pm.  The fourth series of Téacs Taistil will feature Louise leading the charge, as well the Kerry Cowboy – Séaghan Ó Súilleabháin, Proinsias … Read more

Queen’s University Belfast students vote on return of Irish-language signage – The Irish Times

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Eoghan Ó Conghaile is walking across the quad at Queen’s University Belfast with a big smile on his face. Pink magnolia blossoms are in full bloom in a corner of the quiet courtyard where the sun has come out on a Thursday afternoon. Ó Conghaile greets The Irish Times and points to his phone showing … Read more

‘Many still feel pressure to leave parts of themselves at the door’ – The Irish Times

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“Children don’t need to choose between languages or identities,” says Francesca La Morgia, the founder of Mother Tongues. The organisation helping multilingual families living in Ireland to keep their languages alive was set up by the linguistics lecturer almost a decade ago. What began as a small community-led project in Dublin has expanded to have … Read more

Reminder of how music can express emotions words cannot – The Irish Times

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When Pauline Scanlon was “10 or 11”, she noticed a change in her mother, Eileen. “There was a darkness,” the traditional singer recalls in the beautifully raw and mournful documentary Amhráin do mo Mháthair (TG4, 9.30pm). Eileen was overwhelmed with “memories she had buried deep inside and kept hidden” but which had now resurfaced. “There … Read more

British government repeals penal-era law banning Irish language in courts – The Irish Times

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A penal law-era piece of British legislation banning the use of Irish in courts has been repealed by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn. The Administration of Justice (Language) Act 1737 stated that all proceedings in courts of justice, patents, charters, pardons and commissions “shall be in English”. A commitment to repeal … Read more

Irish language to be used in Northern Ireland courts after repeal of centuries-old ban – TheJournal.ie

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Irish language to be used in Northern Ireland courts after repeal of centuries-old ban  TheJournal.ie UK govt to repeal law banning use of Irish in NI courts  RTÉ News Irish language to be used in NI courts with repeal of 18th Century law  BBC.com Repeal of Irish language ban in courts a “regressive” move, TUV leader Allister says  The … Read more

My sister is the only woman from her secondary school class not living in Australia, and she emigrated to Switzerland – The Irish Times

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My maternal family is from Cúil Aodha in the Múscraí Gaeltacht, but I was brought up in Clontarf in north Dublin. I’m a native Irish speaker; I have a BA, MA and PhD and I’ve never done a single day’s education through English. My mother was extremely passionate about the Irish language and it was … Read more

As a teacher it makes me so sad to hear young people say how much they dislike Irish – The Irish Times

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Gaeilge is far more than a school subject that students should be trying to get out of studying. Being able to communicate through Irish is important. It opens doors to enjoy the richness and beauty of Irish culture, music and literature. It is essential for understanding our vast heritage and cultural identity. You don’t have … Read more