Irish

Gorra Meela Hoolahoops. Pardon?

"Of course, Rosenkranz, you'll be doing part of your speech in French and not Irish," said the austere dictator who passed for the President of the school I attended where I did my Leaving Certificate. He was referring to the fact that I had been born and brought up in England, although of Irish parents. I had been elected to be Master of Ceremonies at my School Debs and the President had wrongly assumed that even one word of my speech in Irish would be beyond me. To prove him wrong, I got the best Irish speaker in my year to sit down and phonetically translate a portion of my speech into an 'Irish' I could pass off as the real thing.

It worked and I got a rousing round of applause from my fellow students and a stern look of contempt from Father O'Flaherty. I had practised that short speech so many times that it was etched on my memory for ever and I was able to recite it at my brother's wedding seven years later. I have always thought it possible that I might actually learn the language myself one day.

I never progressed further than getting friends to translate certain words and phrases such as band names: Huey Lewis agus an Nuacht (Huey Lewis and the News) or Fliuch, Fliuch, Fliuch (Wet, Wet, Wet) or more cleverly, Sean Airgead (Johnny Cash) and drop them into conversations for comic effect along with the odd thank-you, howareyou and milk, butter, sugar, please.

It is such a pity that I didn't pursue it further because An Ghaeilge is such a lyrical, musical and rich language and part of my family's heritage. But after a little searching, I found a plethora of courses available, not only in the learning of the language, but also in all aspects of Irish culture from music to literature. If you're on-line, you can access a first-rate web site containing all you need to know on Irish culture. The address is www.intercelt.com.

For those who aren't on the information super highway, here are a few centres who specialise in the furthering of the Irish Language:

Conradh na Gaeilge
For a multitude of information about the Irish Language and courses. Telephone (01) 475 7401. Email cnag@tinet.ie

Comharchumann Raith Cairn Athboy, County Meath
Weekend courses available in this Gaeltacht region throughout September, October and November 2000

Gael Linn
Merrion Square, Dublin 2 Gael Linn runs two different courses for beginners. They each last for six weeks. There are both night and morning courses (subject to demand). They also organise two week-long courses in the Donegal Gaeltacht suitable for all levels.

Aras Chronain
Clondalkin, Dublin 22 A centre for the promotion of the Irish language, music, art and culture. A place highly recommended by this writer who, when asked to write his name in Irish, used the moniker, Dilin O Rosenkranz! Believe it or not.

So there you have it. A smattering of places where you can brush up your lingual skills and have a lot of fun into the bargain. Slán!

If you want to contact us about this or any other article, you can email to info@nightcourses.com.

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