Little you may know it – you’re sharing a journey in the Irish language (also called Gaelic or Irish Gaelic) with thousands of others worldwide.
Perhaps you don’t speak a word of Irish yet.
Or maybe you speak cúpla focal (a couple of words).
You might even be a lapsed speaker coming back to the language.
Please reply below, and share with us why you want to speak Irish.
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Dia daoibh! Cén chaoi an bhfuil sibh? I first started taking Irish with my mom back in the mid to late 1990’s through the now defunct Irish Gaelic League of Pittsburgh. In 2017, I began taking lessons on Duolingo and supplementing that with your YouTube videos.
My mom and I were, and now I am, the only Irish speakers in her family on either side of the pond. Although we do have relatives over there.
My reason for wanting to learn Gaeilge is primarily for religious reasons…. I consider myself an itinerant Druid and shaman-in-training; and two of the spirits I work with (Bríd and Morrighan) have been gently coaxing me to incorporate Irish into my work.
Please keep up the grand work! Yours is a very valuable resource.
Go raibh maith agat agus slán libh!
Glad we can help, Alexander! 🙂
I was adopted at birth and raised by a wonderful family. They were always honest with me and never hid the fact that I was adopted, but had no information about my biological family. All throughout my childhood up until this day I’ve felt drawn to Ireland, to the culture, the people, the music, even the climate. My adoptive mother always spoke of her Irish roots, but it wasn’t until I started looking for answers to my own questions of who I truly was, that I found out all of her many Irish ancestors. When I received my first DNA test back, there it was, confirmation of the way I had felt for so long, Irish blood flowed through my veins. More DNA tests followed and not only was I able to contact cousins who still live in Ireland, but I finally found my biological mother and father. One of these days I’d like to come home, and when I do, I will be speaking the language.
Hi Boska,
Thank you for commenting.
That is so interesting to read that you were always drawn to Ireland and its culture 🙂
I am glad that you have found your parents and cousins.
Le meas,
Ana.
My ansestors are from county donegal and people always confuse me for bieng red headed as I have green eyes and dye my hair red from light brown aburn My nickname is literally: Red
Hey Eoin I know its been a while but I did some research and it turns out that the McGuires are from scotland and they invaded ireland and liked it more so they stayed so im irish scotish and english
My father dispised his Irish family and me, because I looked like them. We didn’t live in and area of Irish community. So, when I was on my own, I began searching for my roots and for all things Irish. I discovered I enjoyed the music, poetry, history and all. I’ve been to Ireland and didn’t want to leave. Wanting to speak the language is, for me, another way of tying myself to that which I love.
Really nice – it’s obviously heart-felt. Go raibh maith agat, a John. Thank you.
Hi,
first of all: congratulations – you are a great teacher. It is a talent to be able explain elaborated facts on languages, escpially on the native one.
Why I want to learn irish?
Firstly I spent over half a year in Ireland a good 20 years ago. It was my first time away from home and I did enjoy my new freedom with good friends, a few stouts and a culture and a society that was not really a cultural clash to me.
Secondly believe it or not – I have university certificates in modern irish. The story behind that is, that there was a dept. of linguistics in the university of Innsbruck and in the early 90ies their main interest was celtology, as there are to many toponyms and traces of celtic culture here in Tyrol and western Austria. As they offered a class of modern irish, I went there. The class was pretty much useless, but nevertheless I got those certificates. Certainly I have always mentioned this remarkable fact in my curriculum vitae. Who shall prove me wrong ;-)? But I personally have bits and pieces in my head that need to be sorted out.
And last but not least it is one of the most beautiful languages in the world. It is as simple as that.
Yours
Michi
Michi, thanks for stopping by. That’s a really interesting background you have, including spending time in Ireland, and having a certificate in modern Irish. It’s fair to say, even if your class was not that useful, that you have a good basis to start from. I hope you stick around with Bitesize Irish Gealic to learn some more.
I will, I will! After christmas … 😉
🙂
Hi Eoin!!
I dont have irish ancestors or or something that connects me with ireland.
I was born in south amerika and i grown up in europe. Since I can remember i love Ireland!!! I love their music, I love their dance, I love the cliffs in Ireland, I love the landscapes and I FALL IN LOVE WITH THE IRISH LANGUAGE!!!!
One day I decided to learn Irish. I search for hours Irish lessons in my city or online lessons, but I cant find it. I was very disapointed and sad but I still had a question. I wanted to know what the difference is between Gaelic and Irish. I search on Youtube and I find youre video. This video has explained everything very well.
I really understand every thing. At the End of the video you said that there was a website called bitesizeirishgaelic.com and there were irsh lessons. I really cant belive it!!! I signed up on the same day and now I am here writing this text. I am really grateful to you that you offer irish lessons . Without this page my dream can not come true. I really really really love ireland and my dream is that one day to life in ireland and to speak irish!! Next year I am going to spend maybe my easter holidays in Donegal. Its the first time in my young live that I will see Ireland!!!! Im so exited. Please can you tell me the most beautiful and traditional places ireland, because its not sure that im going to Donegal. Maybe you can recommend me a better place.
Sorry for my horrible English! (I am still learnig English at school)
Have a good time
Nuala Mailin
Hi Nuala Mailin. Really nice to hear your story! Glad you found the video useful: http://youtu.be/sWBUnixqX5g
I think Donegal (Dún na nGall) is a great choice. Some of the landscape there is breathtaking. Plus you have a good chance to finding the Irish language being spoken if you search for it.
I’m a fan of Kerry, further south. The different counties have different great things about them, you won’t be disappointed with Donegal.
My mom was born and raised in Ireland, and does speak Irish. I was always annoyed that she never taught it to me as a child, so now I want to learn it. (with her help) I love learning languages, and decided, well, why shouldn’t I? I can always practice on my mom.(her irish is a bit rusty though, not having lived there for a while)
Why not, indeed. I can understand too how the language can get rusty over time, but it’s still great that you have her to test it out on. Do let us know how you progress!