Comments on: Speaking of Irish… http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2007/01/06/speaking-of-irish/ Sinéad Gleeson's blog Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:16:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Garreth http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2007/01/06/speaking-of-irish/#comment-29192 Garreth Fri, 19 Jan 2007 12:00:55 +0000 http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2007/01/06/speaking-of-irish/#comment-29192 I've just heard on Ocean FM, which is local radio in Sligo and Leitrim, Marian Harkin MEP (Independent) becoming the first Irish MEP to use Irish in the Strassbourg parliament. Interesting thing is that she used the occasion to highlight the possible execution of some convicted prisoners in Bulgaria. Now that's a humane way to use Irish in our grim modern world. I’ve just heard on Ocean FM, which is local radio in Sligo and Leitrim, Marian Harkin MEP (Independent) becoming the first Irish MEP to use Irish in the Strassbourg parliament. Interesting thing is that she used the occasion to highlight the possible execution of some convicted prisoners in Bulgaria. Now that’s a humane way to use Irish in our grim modern world.

]]> By: Clare Herbert http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2007/01/06/speaking-of-irish/#comment-29021 Clare Herbert Thu, 18 Jan 2007 01:42:41 +0000 http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2007/01/06/speaking-of-irish/#comment-29021 The teaching of Irish is, as mentioned above, a disgrace! Look, for example, at the subjects which are of direct use to out economy: science, business, and technology etc. They are well-resourced, encouraged and highly regarded. Irish, which is of immeasurably cultural and tourism value, has been neglected, ignored and taught as if it were in a hedge school. Now, Fine Gael want to make it optional after Junior Cert. I say, make it relevant, modern and engaging. If in a generation, standards have not improved, the compulsory nature of Irish can be revisited. Can we really disregard the language without giving it a fair shot to prosper? As Sinéad highlighted, Young people love it. It is cool, whether that be thanks to Hector or Hieudi. Take the lead from the young uns, I say, it's them who'll have to speak it. The teaching of Irish is, as mentioned above, a disgrace!

Look, for example, at the subjects which are of direct use to out economy: science, business, and technology etc. They are well-resourced, encouraged and highly regarded. Irish, which is of immeasurably cultural and tourism value, has been neglected, ignored and taught as if it were in a hedge school.

Now, Fine Gael want to make it optional after Junior Cert. I say, make it relevant, modern and engaging. If in a generation, standards have not improved, the compulsory nature of Irish can be revisited. Can we really disregard the language without giving it a fair shot to prosper?

As Sinéad highlighted, Young people love it. It is cool, whether that be thanks to Hector or Hieudi. Take the lead from the young uns, I say, it’s them who’ll have to speak it.

]]> By: baz http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2007/01/06/speaking-of-irish/#comment-27728 baz Tue, 16 Jan 2007 16:18:02 +0000 http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2007/01/06/speaking-of-irish/#comment-27728 Unfortunately haven't had a chance to watch 'No Bearla' thus far, it was given quite a favourable and very witty review in the Guardian recently At the other end of the scale was Ian 'O Doherty in the Irish Indo, heaping scorn on the program and Magan himself with the usual tired 'smug middle class Gaeilgóir' clichés Unfortunately haven’t had a chance to watch ‘No Bearla’ thus far, it was given quite a favourable and very witty review in the Guardian recently
At the other end of the scale was Ian ‘O Doherty in the Irish Indo, heaping scorn on the program and Magan himself with the usual tired ’smug middle class Gaeilgóir’ clichés

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