Irish Language Group Works to Create Celtic Language District in Dublin Suburb

Last month Transceltic reported that in a poll commissioned by The Gaelic League (Conradh na Gaelige) majorities throughout Ireland showed deep respect and support for the Irish language. The polling disclosed close to 90% supporting the provision of state services in Gaelic on demand. The poll results prompted Cóilín Ó Cearbhaill, president of Conradh na Gaeilge, to hail the “historical significance” of the poll results as reflecting the depth of support for the tongue throughout Ireland.  This depth of support for Gaelic flies in the face of the Irish Government’s hostility to committing resources to revitalize the language.

One local group’s efforts in suburban Dublin reflect this love of the tongue. The Irish language and cultural organisation Gaelphobal Thamhlachta (GT) have announced their intention to develop an Irish Language Centre in the south Dublin suburb of Tallaght.  GT spokesman Pól Ó Meadhra stated that the objective of the Centre is to establish a network of Gaelic Speakers in the area looking forward to making the district bi-lingual.

Press reports have quoted Mr. Ó Meadhra as follows in describing the objectives and strategies in re-introducing Gaelic as the language of the community:

“This, we believe, is possible given the history of Gaelscolaíocht or Irish language medium education in the area,” said member Pól Ó Meadhra. There are presently three Gaelscoileanna, a secondary school or Meánscoil lán Ghaeilge and several Naíonraí or Irish language nurseries functioning in the area. Because of the work done by these schools over the last three decades there are literally thousands of people here with a very good command of the language. Gaelscolaíocht is a thriving phenomenon nationally and as already outlined particularly so in Tallaght. However, while effective, it is not sufficient on its own to establish the bilingual society which we hope to achieve. It is a recognised fact that people generally have little opportunity outside of the school grounds to speak and practice the language. This has obvious implications for the life and survival of the language. To remedy this GT provides a range of activities and events for the Tallaght community to use and practice the language on a social basis with other people. These activities include social nights, walks, a monthly dinner and even flash mobs. Our most regular activity, the Ciorcal Chomhrá (Conversation Circle), takes place every Thursday evening in Molloy’s, Tallaght Village. Through this process GT is steadily building a community of speakers in the region.”

There are several theories recognised by academics who specialise in the study of language revitalisation. These theories are practically applied using what is commonly referred to as the "stages for reviving threatened or "sleeping" languages" (Fishman).  In each of these models the role of education and the use of the language in the instruction of the next generation play a crucial part in the restoration of the tongue as the working language of the community.  As has been demonstrated by the actions of the GT in building on the success of Gaelic Medium education in the southern suburbs of Dublin, the next generation of Irish speakers will contribute to this objective. After years of persecution at the hands Ireland’s colonial masters and indifference on the part of the Irish Government, the GT are champions of the Tongue working to return Irish to its rightful place.

https://cnag.ie/en/

http://peig.ie/irish-language-group-establishes-new-centre/?lang=en

http://www.gaelphobalthamhlachta.com/