"If I'm honest, the last time I properly used my Irish was in my 20s, and that wasn't even in Ireland. Travelling around Southeast Asia with my friend Jeanie, whose whole foclóir (dictionary) probably amounted to four words - tá, níl, uafásach agus go hálainn (yes, no, horrible and gorgeous), we managed to escape quite a few encounters with weirdos or let the other secretly know we were interested in a buachaill (boy)."
"I was Leaving Cert honours level but gave it up in first year at university when exam time came. Nowadays, I might hear the nuacht (news) on the car radio but barely catch a few words and the chance to practise mo chúpla focail at the Gaeltachtaí is at least a three-hour drive west."
Many Irish speakers allow their language skills to atrophy after formal education ends, with limited practical opportunities to maintain proficiency outside Gaeltacht areas and designated Irish language weeks. Geographic distance and lack of accessible resources make regular practice challenging for urban dwellers. The article explores whether realistic pathways exist to engage with Irish language learning and practice in everyday life beyond traditional strongholds, investigating what outlets and communities support language maintenance for those seeking to reconnect with or improve their Irish skills.
Read at Independent
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