Here’s an interesting case of a Northern Ireland family being denied housing in the Connemara gaelteacht, not because they can’t speak Irish, but apparently because they don’t speak it well enough. Slugger O’Toole carries some interesting discussion on the topic.
Call for more imaginative Irish language approach.
The principal of Rice College, Westport, Mr Frank McCarrick, says that a progressive and imaginative approach to the presentation and teaching of the Irish language in secondary schools by the Department of Education could help address the decline in the subject. Without it, he believes the number of students studying it would continue to fall.
More jobs to go in Donegal.
It seems that nearly every or two week I come across an article that announces the loss of jobs in the second most beautiful place I’ve ever visited. A plant closing will mean 67 people will lose their jobs, after 560 people were notified last week that they would be losing their jobs in Donegal with the closure of Hospira. I was thrilled to see that RTE has RSS feeds now. It will undoubtably become my primary source of Ireland news. Now if only Radio na Gaeltachta started podcasting
John Roberts has no Irish.
Referring, of course, to his lack of knowledge of Irish language, not lack of ancestry. “US Supreme Court nominee John Roberts was concerned that an Irish language letterhead sent by President Reagan to the Irish ambassador might show secret support for the IRA.” I recommend Guinness therapy, in moderation of course!
Irish language community website anyone?
A fellow lurker on the Gaeilge-B listserver is floating the idea of setting up a community website and discussion group for those interested in learning Irish. I’m game!
‘Dingle’ is too good to lose despite love of Irish.
[ From The Kerryman – registration required ] The debate rages on regarding the pending erasure of ‘Dingle’ from street signs and maps.
Dingle/Daingean: You can’t have it both ways, locals told.
The people of Dingle who don’t want the name changed to An Daingean cannot have it both ways, according to Dr. Padraig O Laighin, who said it was reasonable to use the Irish version of the town’s name “given the availability of considerable State support on the basis that it is a Gaeltacht community”.
Say pooh to Irish.
This funny letter appeared in the Irish Independent. You have to register to view it on their website; I hope they don’t mind me reprinting it, minus the writer’s name: Sir – In the last week new notices have appeared in the local parks and they are all in Irish. They refer to dogs fouling the park – I know this because they contain a drawing of a dog doing his bit (added to by some local wags in case you miss the point). My Leaving Cert Irish couldn’t make head nor tail of the script. Has Dublin now become…
The fighting Irish speakers and their losing battles.
[ From the Irish Independent – registration required ] Some interesting documentation about the struggles between Irish language advocates and those that could care less about it.
Tá Blag an Imill ag Podchraoladh!
I think this means Imeall’s blog now has a podcast. I really need to get my Irish studies rolling again, there’s just so little time left over after everything else I have going on. I could pick out about a half-dozen non-English words in the podcast. What a magnificent language. Must strive to do better!