Iris na Gaeilge The newsletter for speakers and learners of Irish in Britain Summer 2008

Tuarascáil Nua! Report calls for Irish ‘Beacon Schools’ in Britain

Our new report has found that at least 5% of all British school students would like the opportunity to learn the Irish language. The report, Raising Standards, Offering Choice was officially launched at our Lá Gaelach at Northampton University. The report, which was praised by British school inspectors, OFSTED, counters the view that offering Irish is unrealistic. It notes that 200 schools in Britain currently offer Japanese, so why shouldn’t twenty ‘Beacon Schools’ offer Irish. Our photo, abov, shows Hazel Giuliano, one of the team at the Northampton Irish Support Group, who organised the Lá Gaelach. …………………………………………………………………………… Also in this issue: Thank you, Glór na nGael! Laoise de Paor, Weston Super Mare, Emer Ó Kelly of the Irish Independent, and the International Festival of the Irish Language 2008 in Andalucía, Spain.

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A Welcome from the Editor The summer is here and we can look back on the first half of 2008 with some satisfaction. Our gathering at Northampton University was very successful and other events in Chelmsford, Somerset and Kent went very well, too. In March, Dónal Ó Céilleachair represented Coláiste na nGael at the Glor na nGael Awards in Ennis, County Clare. There, he met Cathal Goan, Director of RTÉ, and Darragh Ó Tuama and Dr Máire Ní Annracháin of Glór na nGael. The Award recognises our work in British schools and colleges – despite a chronic lack of funds.

Our campaign in British schools also continues. Currently, over 80% of 14 year olds in England are obliged to study either French or German. The report, Raising Standards, Offering Choice found that typical students would like to choose to study a language that interests them. At least 5% of a representative sample of British school students would like the opportunity to learn Irish. In schools where only French and German are currently offered, interest in Irish reaches 14%! If the British government really wants to support language learning, a wider range of languages has to be offered to our increasingly worldly and well-travelled school children. We support the modest proposal for twenty ‘Irish beacon’ schools to be established in Britain.

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Editorial (continued) The Seachatain na Gaeilge festival saw successful events in London, Manchester, Southampton and Essex. In addition, 640 other events took place globally, including in Poland, Canada, Australia, Germany, Luxembourg, France, Belgium and the United States. In the months ahead we can look forward to other exciting events. David Cooney, the Irish Ambassador, will be presenting forty fáinní in London in the coming weeks. The seventh International Festival of the Irish Language will also take place in Benalmádena, Spain, in October. Not all our news is good news. We were saddened to hear of the passing of Laoise de Paor. This cheerful, spirited supporter will be sadly missed. Despite some welcome help from Glór na nGael, the growth of Irish in Britain continues to be hindered by a lack of funding. We can’t meet the rising demand for Irish classes without further help. We will be hoping for help from funding bodies in Ireland. In the meantime, may I thank again all our subscribers, and may I extend my best wishes to our friends in Glór na nGael, Cumann Cultúrlann Mhic Reachtain, Oideas Gael, and Colm Ó Tórna.

Tomás Mac Lochlainn

International Festival of the Irish Language Benalmádena, Spain 25th – 31st October 2008 Join us on the Costa del Sol for the seventh International Festival of the Irish Language. Our four star hotel is only 9 km from Málaga Airport, and 100 metres from the beach. The magnificent Alhambra Palace is one hour away in the snow-capped mountains of Granada. Contact Christy Evans A.S.A.P. or E-mail us at: donal.kelleher@yahoo.co.uk

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An Doras: Irish for New Speakers A short article designed for students of Irish

This item is about acclaimed singer Carmel Silver, and Stuart Grafton. Both work hard to promote our culture in Coventry and across Britain. Carmel and Stuart are also helping to organise the International Festival of the Irish Language in Benalmádena, near Málaga, in October 2008. A glossary of key terms follows at the end. Tá dlúthdhiosca nua ar fáil le Carmel Silver, Gaeilgeoir agus amhránaí – ‘Silver Threads’. I measc na n-amhrán atá ann tá Beidh Aonach Ammárach agus Mo Ghile Mear. Saolaíodh Carmel i mBaile Átha Cliath ach tá sí ina cónai i gCoventry anois. Is altra í nár chaill riamh a suim sa Ghaeilge. Tá craobh de Choláiste na nGael faoina cúram i gCoventry faoi láthair.

Castar an dlúthdhiosca nua go minic sa Bhreatain agus i gCasla! Dar leí féin: “Tá áthas an domhain orm go bhfuil mo chiid amhrán le cloisteáil ar Raidió na Gaeltachta. Go raigb mile maith agat a RnaG!” Bronnadh gradam ar an lánúin speisialta seo le déanaí as ucht a gcuid oibre ar son na Gaeilge sa Bhreatain. Múineann Carmel Silver trí cinn de ranganna Gaeilge agus freastalaíonn sí ar ócáidí ar fud na tire. Bronnadh an gradam uirthi agus ar a fear céile, Stuart. Dúirt Dónal Ó Céilleachair agus é ag bronnadh an ghradaim orthu: “Tugann Stuart tréanchabhair do Charmel. Tíománn sé í ar fud fad na Breataine agus is é an cúlaistín is dílse aicí. Piosa de phoircealláin annamh Spáinneach a bronnadh orthu beirt agus is é Dóonal Ó Céilleachair, ar dheis, a bhí i mbun an bhronnta.

Glossary of key terms and phrases Dlúthdhiosca/compact disc Ar fáil/available Amhránaí/singer I measc/amongst Salaíodh/born Altra/nurse Craobh/branch Cúram/care Gradam/award Áthas an domhain orm - “The happiness of the world on me” i.e. very happy Lánúin/couple A fear céile/her husband Tréanchabhair/sa great deal of help Tíománann sé/he drives Ócáidí/occasions Cúlaisín/supporter Annamh/rare

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Ár nOidhreacht An Irish speaker in Britain chooses a place in Ireland that is special to them. Sorcha Bean Mhic Con Iomaire chooses Garinish Island in Bantry Bay. Oileán na gCuileann, Gairinis, Chorcaí Lonnaithe i gcuan fhoscaithe An Ghleanna Ghairbh i mBá Bheanntraí, is oileán beag 37 acra é Oileán na gCuileann a bhfuil aithne dhomhanda air mar ghairdín áilleachta ag gairneoirí agus acu siúd ar spies leo crainn agus toir. Tá na gairdíní ann mar gheall ar chomhar nócha bliain ó shin idir Annan Bryce, úinéir an oileáin ag an am sin, agus Harold Peto, ailtire agus dearthóir gairdíní. If you would like to nominee a place in Ireland for ‘Ár nOidhreacht’, contact Christy Evans. ……………………………………………………………………………………….

Coláiste na nGael – our new website We launch our new website in August 2008. It will feature regularly updated information about the Irish language scene, and live links to other useful websites in Ireland.

“Bitter, Right-Wing and Xenophobic?” A personal reply to Emer Ó Kelly by Christy Evans

On 13th April 2008, an article by Emer Ó Kelly appeared in the Irish Independent newspaper. The article railed again the cost of translating documents into Irish and the work of the Irish Language Commissioner. Special ire was reserved for those citizens who contacted the Commissioner because of suspected infractions of the Irish language laws. Ms. Ó Kelly stated that people who pointed out possible infractions were being petty, and betrayed “Defensive bitterness... they don’t love the language, they’re merely language xenophobics.” She continued by claiming that the language for many Irish speakers was “A badge of narrow, right-wing nationalism that they inflicted on the English-speaking majority in Ireland”. I would like to take this opportunity to reply to Ms Ó Kelly’s article.

Citizens who contact the Language Commissioner should not be castigated for doing so. They are carrying out a civic duty. Indeed, the Language Commissioner exists as a neutral, non-political person who can examine whether Irish laws have been broken. It’s not clear why the Language Commissioner generates such hostility. Afte all, the creation of the post was supported by all the parties in Dáil Éireann. Ms Ó Kelly, perhaps sensing the weakness of her argument, then reverts to the distant past for support. She bewails that Gaeltacht teenagers used to get additional small grants for university. Ms Ó Kelly appears to resent the help that the Irish state used to give the poorest and most marginalised people in our society. I think that most reasonable Irish people would argue that government action had to be taken in the Gaeltacht to increase social integration, alleviate poverty and halt language loss. To argue otherwise is peculiar. The argument that Irish speakers are embittered and xenophobic also collapses under closer scrutiny. It was the dreary, undynamic, monolingual ‘’English’ culture of Ireland that, along with a crippled economy, drove so many of her brightest minds abroad.

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‘Bitter, Right-Wing and Xenophobic?’ (continued) And it is that same monolingual mindset that feels threatened by Irish and the other wonderful languages that are now spoken in Ireland. Some of the media classes of south Dublin may affect ‘cosmopolitan’ attitudes, but their assault on the Irish language makes them appear rather parochial and un-worldly. In short, they appear more than a little silly. Ms Ó Kelly should also consider that if Irish speakers are a byword for xenophobia and introversion, why is the language so vibrant across Europe? Why do forty universities would-wide teach the language? Why does the demand for Irish in Britain far exceed our ability to meet it? How can Irish be a symbol of bitterness and narrowness when it is growing in London – surely one of the world’s most culturally diverse and exciting cities? The fact is, all the arguments used against Irish speakers actually describe those who decry the language. A new, exciting Ireland, which celebrates linguistic diversity irritates those who have spent decades belittling Irish. An Ghaeilge has become a ‘friendship’ language and a social scene that has brought people together. Some English speakers are bitter because they suspect that there’s a great party going on, but it’s a party to which they haven’t been invited. Finally, Ms Ó Kelly is wrong when she dismisses Irish speakers en masse as ‘right-wing’. If anything, Irish is developing a trendy, counter-cultural identity that is outward-looking, socially progressive and internationalist. By contrast, the argument against Irish put forward by some Irish people looks old-fashioned, authoritarian and embarrassingly unsophisticated. Some embittered monolingual English speakers should be reminded of basic truths that they appear to have forgotten: Irish is the indigenous language of Ireland. It is also an official language of the state. Virtually all other European states are bilingual, and virtually all European states embrace bilingualism and see it as an important and unique aspect of their culture. Some people should also remember that provision for the requirements of Irish speakers is a right. A state that doesn’t accommodate linguistic diversity would be unfair, un-cultured, socially divisive and dreary. So, Ms Ó Kelly, lighten up and join the party! ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Photograph: Irish speakers in France (opposite) and in Britain (below). Are we ready “bitter, narrow-minded and xenophobic?” To receive a full transcript of Ms Ó Kelly’s article, send an S.A.E. to Christy Evans at 14 Chelmsford Road, Shenfield, Essex CB15 8RQ.

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Ag Dul Siar! - Weston Super Mare A new Irish language group hits the ground running in Somerset

Tháinig grúpa foghlaimeoirí Gaeilge nua ar an bhfód i Somerset. Tagann ‘Ag Dul Siar’ le chéile in Weston Super Mare, baile ciuin cois fharraige. Deir Trish Evans, as Béal Feirste: “Tá ár ngrúpa nua ag dul ar aghaidh go maith. Tá cairde nua againn anois nach raibh a n-aithne roimhe. Tharraing an Ghaeilge le chéile sinn.”

Tá Coláiste na nGael ag cabhrú ‘Ag Dul Siar’. Deir Christy Evans: “Tá iontas orm faoin grupa nua seo. Tuigeann said go gcaithfidh said a gciste féin a cnuasadh. Ach, tá rún daingean acu go n-éireoidh leo.” Tuilleadh eolais: donal.kelleher@yahoo.co.uk

Support the Language! Support Iris na Gaeilge! Have Iris na Gaeilge delivered to your door!. A one-off donation secures for you a subscription for life! The donation is determined by your ability to pay. People on a modest income are asked to donate £20. People on an average income are asked to donate £30. People on a higher income are asked to donate £50. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Coláiste na nGael’ clearly in modern script on the cheque. Your support is much needed, and much appreciated. Go raibh míle maith agat!

Nuacht! Our organisation is growing so fast that we are paying special attention to our constitution, our AGM and greater democratic involvement by our supporters. Our next AGM will be open to all subscribers. The office of Editor, Chairman, Education Officer, Media Officer and Child Protection Officer are up for election. (Treasurer, Secretary and Account signatories are not up for election until March 2010.) For further information, contact Christy Evans.

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I nDíl Chuimhne Laoise de Paor 31/07/1925 – 19/03/2008

“Laoise” le Sr Máire Ní Chuinn

A Laoise tá

Do shúile dúnta A bhí go fiúntach

Ariamh anall.

Mo léan go bhfuil Do lámha díomhaoin A dhéanadh scríbhinn

Ar éadach geal.

Nach iomaí lá Do dhéanadh bratach Go greanta dathach Nuair fuair tú faill.

Céad slán anois

Is téigh ‘do chodladh. Táimid dod’ mholadh

Is mór an gcaill Tá ana-bhrón ar Gaeilgeoirí Londain agus ar a lán ball de Choláiste na nGael go bhfuil ár gcara dílis, Laoise de Paor, ar shlí na fírinne. Rugadh agus tógadh Laoise i gCeatharloch ach bhí sí ina cónaí i Londain leis na blianta. Baintreach le cúigear clainne, beirt iníon agus triúr mac, a bhí inti. Ealaíontóir agus dearthóir ab ea í. Tá clú agus cáil ar a cuid t-léinte leis na manaí dearadh ortha go profisiúnta. D’fhreastail sí go rialta agus go dílis ar cruinnithe i Londain msh: Cuideachta, Conradh na Gaeilge (in a raibh sí ina Rúnaí na mBall), Cumann Liteartha na Gaeilge srl. Bhí sí páirteach i roinnt mhaith de laethanta agus deireadh seachtainí Choláiste na nGael. Poblachtach go smior ab ea í. Chaith sí a lán ama ag tabhairt tacaíochta do Saor an Seisear Birmingham, an Ceathrar Guildford, Frank Johnson srt. Bhíodh sí de shíor lasmuigh de Shráid Downing ar agóidí i bhfad roimh é a bheith faiseanta nó inghlachta. Bean chráifeach ab ae í agus rinne sí mórán oibre as son phobal na heaglaise ag cabhrú i gcibé háit a raibh an t-éileamh ann. Ba bhean chiúin, tréan aigeantach í, nuair a bhí gá leis. Bhí a creideamh agus a poblachtachtas an-tábhachtacht dí. Braithimid go léir go mór uainn í. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.

Dónal Ó Céilleachair.

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Gaeilge Molta do Scoileanna Shasana Richard Schofield analyses the findings of ‘Raising Standards, Offering choice

Tá moladh déanta ag Coláiste na nGael gur cheart go mbeadh Gaeilge ar an gcuraclam don GCSE tar éis gur léirigh suirbhé a rinne said go mbeadh suim ag daltaí meánscoile sa teanga. Rinne Coláiste na nGael taighde in Ardscoil Shenfield in Essex a thug le fios go bpiocfadh suas le 14% de na daltaí sa scoil an Ghaeilge don GCSE (macasamhail an Teastais Shoiséaraigh), da mbeadh an rogha sin acu. Piocadh an scoil de bharr go raibh cúlra eitneach na ndaltaí mar an gcéanna leis an mean Shasana. Dúirt Dónal Ó Céilleachair: “Níor cheapamar go mbeadh an figiúr chomh hard sin agus ceapaimid go raibh na daltaí dáiríre faoin méid a dúirt said.”

100 dalta, atá ar tí teanga a roghnú don GCSE, a ghlac páirt sa staidéar. Dúirt Coláiste na nGael go mbeidh said ag iarraidh ar na húdaráis i Sasana suirbhé níos cuimsithí a dhéanamh chun an t-éileamh atá ar an Ghaeilge go náisiúnta a mheas. Measann ár ngrúpa go bhféadfadh sé go mbeadh idir 5-10% de dhaltaí scoile Shasana ag iarraidh Gaeilge a dhéanamh don GCSE, rud a d’fhágfadh go mbeadh na mílte i mbun stairéar ar an teanga. Faoi láthair, tá rogha idir Fhraincis agus Ghéarmánais ag na daltaí in Ardscoil Shenfield, ach dúirt 58% de na daltaí nach raibh said sásta leis an rogha seo. Nuair a iarradh orthu sa suirbhé teanga eile a roghnú don GCSE as liosta de os cionn 16 teanga éagsúis, dúirt 14 go roghnódh said an Ghaeilge.

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Raising Standards, Offering choice (continued) Dúirt 8% de na daltaí go raibh ar a laghad tuiste amháin dá gcuid ó hÉirinn ach dúirt 91% de na daltaí ar fad sa scoil nach raibh a fhios acu go labhraítear Gaeilge in Éirinn. “Tá Seapáinis ar fáil in 200 scoil i Sasana cheana féin agus níor cheart go mbeadh deacracht ann Gaeilge a chur as fail i 20 scoil ag an tús” arsa Christy Evans, múinteoir agus ball de Choláiste na nGael. “ Ní féidir linn déileáil leis an éileamh atá ann ó dhaoine fásta ar ranganna Gaeilge faoi láthair. Tá ar a ladhad 100 múinteoir breise ag teastáil uainn i Sasana, agus creideann muid go bhfuil éileamh ann ar an Ghaeilge sna scoileanna chomh maith.”

Leabhair Nua Each edition, we feature reviews of a book that we recommend. The book is available from the Four Provinces’ Bookshop (020 7833 3022, Wed – Sat, 11 am – 5 pm. Guthanna in Éag – An Mairfidh an Ghaeilge Beo? James McCloskey, Cois Life €12 / £8.50 Murab aonann agus mórán saothar ollscoile eile, tá an ceann seo soléite agus le meáchan sa bhuile… is é croí a argóna nach dtuigeann muid i gceart an dúshlán a chuir luch na hathbeochanna rompu agus iad ag iarraidh an Ghaeilge a chur in athréim arís. Paróisteach agus cúngaigeanta a thugann sé ar go leor den phlé a dhéantar ar cheisteanna teanga. Caithfidh an díospóireacht a lonnú i bhfráma domhanda….dóchas a léiríonn McCloskey, mar sin féin, i gcás na Gaeilge. Is briomhar an marrbhán í. Pól Ó Muirí, Irish Times. McCloskey likens the early Irish state’s efforts to beat the language into children to the earlier practice of beating English into them. He welcomes the creative diversity brought by speakers in Dublin and Belfast, and the children of Gaelscoileanna. Irish is just one of many languages worthy of support, he says. The effort to support it is “Fundamentally anti-nationalist”, and is “One strand…in an international effort to open cracks in the dreary homogeneity of culture and ideology created by global capitalism.” Liz Curtis, Irish Post. Guthanna in Éag is a stimulating bilingual essay. It comments on the new, hopeful mood in Ireland and in Britain, and the various reactions that the rise of Irish has received. Buy your copy of ‘Guthanna in Éag from the Four Provnces’ Bookshop today! Eleanor Burgess, Coláiste na nGael.

Coláiste na nGael

www.irishlanguagebritain.com

Coláiste na nGael is a democratic, non-political and non-religious group of volunteers. We are also a non-profit making organisation. We aim to promote the Irish language in a friendly and inclusive way. We are supported by the Irish-speaking community in Britain.

We teach Irish in British schools, and at residential colleges all over Britain and Europe. Total beginners of any nationality are always welcome to join Coláiste na nGael. Subscribing to Iris na Gaeilge is easy. Make a single, one-off donation and you will receive a subscription for life! Your donation is based on your ability to pay. People on a modest income are invited to pay £20. People on an average income should pay £30. People on a higher income should pay £50. Your donation is greatly needed, and you will be greatly appreciated. Please make cheques payable to ‘Coláiste na nGael’ and send them to him at the address below. Thanks. For a full description of forthcoming events, contact Christy Evans at 14 Chelmsford Road, Shenfield, Essex, CM15 8RQ. Alternatively, e-mail donal.kelleher@yahoo.co.uk or phone Dónal on 020 8348 5016. We also have an information website: www.irishlanguagebritain.com.

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