Public gives its view on Irish

WITH Seachtain na Gaeilge well underway, The Kerryman decided to hit the streets of Tralee to see what the public thought about the Irish language; speaking to over 25 people the consensus was that, while not everyone speaks Irish, most would like to see more people using it in everyday life.

Many people believed that the education system has failed the Irish language and making it compulsory in schools was one of the worst things that had happened to it.

“It should have been made an optional subject. They need to stop focusing on the grammar side of the language and focus more on speaking the language,” one man proclaimed, while several others who responded argued that the language had no place in modern society.

“I don’t speak Irish myself and I haven’t since I finished school. None of my friends or family use it that often either but it would be great to see it used more and also used more everyday, but unfortunately the majority of the country is English speaking and I think it’s only going to get worse from here,” said Mark Lenihan.

However, Michael Fox O’Connor had a difference of opinion: “I was never taught Irish in school, I never go the chance to learn it. It’s my biggest regret because I would have loved to be a Garda and I needed Irish for that. It should be compulsory in school because, while it is one of the most difficult languages to learn in my opinion, it’s beautiful. It’s a shame because I would love to be able to speak it,” he added.

Friends, Nuala Ní Labhlair and Maura Dissiles agreed that more people should speak Irish, again putting the blame on our education system for its decline in usage.

“I’d love for it to be used more. I have picked it up again helping the grandchildren with their homework. I had a great Irish teacher and I feel that’s the reason why I’m able to speak it well, because of my teacher,” Maura said.

“How it’s taught now is the reason it isn’t used as much. Going into school and learning it for 14 years nearly and not being fluent in the end shows that something’s wrong. It would be great to have more people speak it. Even just small things like saying hello to someone in Irish,” her friend Nuala added.

Kay Murnane felt that the Irish language is increasingly irrelevant: “I don’t speak Irish, it’s not something that we need anymore. I don’t think it has a place in society today and if you go abroad it isn’t useful in getting a job or anything,” Kay said to The Kerryman.

Friends Nuala Ní Labhlair and Maura Dissiles says that the education system is at fault for more people not being able speak the language.

Mark Linehan says that he would love to see Irish spoken more but unfortunately doesn’t think it will happen.

Kay Murnane feels that Irish is a language that is not needed anymore.

MIchael Fox O’Connor feels says that a “big regret” in his life was not learning Irish properly.