Learn Gaelic (Beginner level) at the South of Ireland Language Centre
Every Tuesday afternoon, throughout July, from 2.30 p.m. to 4.00 p.m., Irish language classes will be run . Of course, the primary objective of the centre is the improvement of students’ spoken and written English but optional classes are arranged for students who are curious to discover more about this intriguing and ancient language.
Some of the many reasons for learnging Irish are outlined below:
Cultural Identity of the Irish people
The most important distinguishing characteristics of a culture are usually contained within its language. Irish thus plays a paramount role in the Irish national cultural identity and is priceless repository of all that is truly Irish.
Guide to other Celtic Languages and English
Irish is the oldest surviving Celtic language and as such is a valuable resource and guide to the other Celtic languages. Irish is the father of two other Celtic languages, Scots Gaelic and Manx, to which it remains extremely closely related. Irish is a valuable source of many English words and expressions such as: whiskey, loch, glen, slew, smithereens, you’re welcome, kibosh, and even our furry feline friend the cat owes its name to Irish.
Irish literature, folklore and proverbs
Irish is the only language north of the Alps to have any extensive surviving ancient and medieval literature and as such it is studied at all major universities through out Europe and even as far off as North America and Australia. Ireland has the world’s largest collection of folklore and proverbs of which the vast majority is only available in Irish.
An example of Irish is illustrated below in the form of the Irish national anthem:
Sinne Fianna Fáil
A tá fé gheall ag Éirinn,
buion dár slua
Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Fé mhóid bheith saor.
Sean tír ár sinsir feasta
Ní fhagfar fé’n tiorán ná fé’n tráil
Anocht a théam sa bhearna bhaoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil chun báis nó saoil
Le guna screach fé lámhach na bpiléar
Seo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.
