Page 21 - Guerin Media | The Wild Atlantic Way
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raised it has been brought back around to the simplistic years who today can speak the language. “It was forced
divisive issue of whether Irish should be compulsory down our throats” is a common complaint.
subject in the educational system. This is completely Today, faced with the onslaught of anglo-american
missing the point and curtailing any reasonable space for influences, many recognise the value of the Irish
debate on the question of the Irish language.” language in preserving one’s sense of connection to both
The approach from the Government can be described as ancestors, and to the land of Ireland . For one whose
“death by stealth” . It is not enough to try and maintain ancestors spoke Irish as their first language, through
and protect the boundaries. We really need to look at speaking the language one firmly locates one’s centre
expanding through new innovative projects. To expand within oneself. The next step is in determining how to
the present “Gaeltacht” and create new Gaeltacht areas. integrate the language as part of one’s day to day life.
“At present there is little support for families raising their Irish as a sexy, earthy language full of playfulness and
children through the medium of Irish . dynamic sense of presence has yet to take centre stage.
There is not enough awareness at a national level of the It is not object orientated as the English language is,
question of raising children through Irish, it is not on which is to say, in it’s very structure the human being is
the agenda. We need to generate that awareness as a allowed a fluid, juicy sense of identity. This playful joie
National Question and debate these questions.“ Ciarán de vivre is found in the celebrated works of Irish writers
Mac Fhearghasa. James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Flann ‘O Brien – where
the English language sets to define and rigidly dictate the
We can effectively see no strategies or supports in relation of person to environment through the medium
place to actively foster the flowering of the language of objects. In Irish we can say “Tá brón orm”- this
and nurture the rich culture of Irelands heritage. In translates as “sadness is on me”. A language can bestow
the Gaeltacht areas factories have been closing down – upon the speaker a distinct mode of perceiving and
what kind of employment can be created to continue to operating within this world. The person who would have
facilitate the Gaeltacht communities? said “Tá brón orm” knows that – “this too will pass”. Like
a cloud passing over. So too our moods, our challenges,
Tearmann Teanga our perceived limitations are not ours forever. Exciting
Sanctuary of Language new music being composed in the Irish language; you
can check out Inny-K for example and the “rap-cheoil”
The Irish language was key to Ireland’s self- of Seamus Barra ‘O Suilleabháin. The Gloaming have
consciousness as a nation, but as Peadar Kirby played sold out concerts in such venues as Sydney Opera
points out in his pamphlet, “On the Importance of re- house. A growing solidarity among Irish language
Europeanising Ireland”, the Irish State claims to identity speakers, is a signal of hope. You can visit the land of
was not one of an Irish language identity but rather a Ireland but the language can stay with you, in your heart.
Catholic identity. It is suggested that, perhaps, this did
not serve to foster community in Ireland. Dr. Doughlas S.C. Ní Chuilibín, in conversations with Ciarán Mac
Hyde and Lady Gregory, pioneers in the movement for Fhearghusa, Simon O’Faolain and Aoife Ní Conchúir.
Irish were both of Anglo Irish or Protestant heritage.
For right or for wrong, the cordial relations among CROI GLAS aims to inspire and empower
both Catholic and Protestant fostered within the communities across Ireland to gather and plant
Irish language movement suffered through a limited the seeds of Ireland’s native trees and hope,
image of “Irishness”. Indeed, the bawdyness and the while learning about the Irish language and
playful character implicit within the Irish language, our environment. Croi -”heart”, Glas -”green”.
was squeezed into the tight grip of Victorian values. A Growing our roots in the land of Ireland as we
language, which had seen such a fervent blossoming sow joy for positive visions for the future.
in print and public discourse, which had come to be Support this project by visiting:
associated with a sense of Ireland’s glorious past – www.croiglas.ie
when the dust settled in the new Republic, following Now you can really grow your Irish roots!
much conflict and bloodshed; the fate of the language
once again came to rest upon the shoulders of those in Croi Glas
poverty.
Where once those who had spoken Irish in schools were
punished severely, now the teaching of Irish was coursed
with such violence that few could be found from those
19
divisive issue of whether Irish should be compulsory down our throats” is a common complaint.
subject in the educational system. This is completely Today, faced with the onslaught of anglo-american
missing the point and curtailing any reasonable space for influences, many recognise the value of the Irish
debate on the question of the Irish language.” language in preserving one’s sense of connection to both
The approach from the Government can be described as ancestors, and to the land of Ireland . For one whose
“death by stealth” . It is not enough to try and maintain ancestors spoke Irish as their first language, through
and protect the boundaries. We really need to look at speaking the language one firmly locates one’s centre
expanding through new innovative projects. To expand within oneself. The next step is in determining how to
the present “Gaeltacht” and create new Gaeltacht areas. integrate the language as part of one’s day to day life.
“At present there is little support for families raising their Irish as a sexy, earthy language full of playfulness and
children through the medium of Irish . dynamic sense of presence has yet to take centre stage.
There is not enough awareness at a national level of the It is not object orientated as the English language is,
question of raising children through Irish, it is not on which is to say, in it’s very structure the human being is
the agenda. We need to generate that awareness as a allowed a fluid, juicy sense of identity. This playful joie
National Question and debate these questions.“ Ciarán de vivre is found in the celebrated works of Irish writers
Mac Fhearghasa. James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Flann ‘O Brien – where
the English language sets to define and rigidly dictate the
We can effectively see no strategies or supports in relation of person to environment through the medium
place to actively foster the flowering of the language of objects. In Irish we can say “Tá brón orm”- this
and nurture the rich culture of Irelands heritage. In translates as “sadness is on me”. A language can bestow
the Gaeltacht areas factories have been closing down – upon the speaker a distinct mode of perceiving and
what kind of employment can be created to continue to operating within this world. The person who would have
facilitate the Gaeltacht communities? said “Tá brón orm” knows that – “this too will pass”. Like
a cloud passing over. So too our moods, our challenges,
Tearmann Teanga our perceived limitations are not ours forever. Exciting
Sanctuary of Language new music being composed in the Irish language; you
can check out Inny-K for example and the “rap-cheoil”
The Irish language was key to Ireland’s self- of Seamus Barra ‘O Suilleabháin. The Gloaming have
consciousness as a nation, but as Peadar Kirby played sold out concerts in such venues as Sydney Opera
points out in his pamphlet, “On the Importance of re- house. A growing solidarity among Irish language
Europeanising Ireland”, the Irish State claims to identity speakers, is a signal of hope. You can visit the land of
was not one of an Irish language identity but rather a Ireland but the language can stay with you, in your heart.
Catholic identity. It is suggested that, perhaps, this did
not serve to foster community in Ireland. Dr. Doughlas S.C. Ní Chuilibín, in conversations with Ciarán Mac
Hyde and Lady Gregory, pioneers in the movement for Fhearghusa, Simon O’Faolain and Aoife Ní Conchúir.
Irish were both of Anglo Irish or Protestant heritage.
For right or for wrong, the cordial relations among CROI GLAS aims to inspire and empower
both Catholic and Protestant fostered within the communities across Ireland to gather and plant
Irish language movement suffered through a limited the seeds of Ireland’s native trees and hope,
image of “Irishness”. Indeed, the bawdyness and the while learning about the Irish language and
playful character implicit within the Irish language, our environment. Croi -”heart”, Glas -”green”.
was squeezed into the tight grip of Victorian values. A Growing our roots in the land of Ireland as we
language, which had seen such a fervent blossoming sow joy for positive visions for the future.
in print and public discourse, which had come to be Support this project by visiting:
associated with a sense of Ireland’s glorious past – www.croiglas.ie
when the dust settled in the new Republic, following Now you can really grow your Irish roots!
much conflict and bloodshed; the fate of the language
once again came to rest upon the shoulders of those in Croi Glas
poverty.
Where once those who had spoken Irish in schools were
punished severely, now the teaching of Irish was coursed
with such violence that few could be found from those
19
