It's fair to say that the Irish language is having a moment right now and you don't need another list of the usual pop culture suspects to know this. Accessibility to the language has been a game changer. Social media and podcasts have opened up the language and, most importantly of all, the mindset to speak as Gaeilge is there.
But while it's great to see all of this, the story behind the headlines is not quite so wonderful. The people on this island who live their lives through their native tongue face many challenges at almost every turn in trying to do just this. From Gaeilege in education and rises in exemptions from learning Irish to housing issues in the Gaeltacht, there's a long to-do list to fix and attend to. So what can be done to increase the number of Irish speakers in the future and ensure even more material for the cultural highlights reel?
Tá Siún Ní Dhuinn ag caint faoi seo ar fad le Dochtúir Tracey Ní Mhaonaigh, Ceann Roinn na Nua-Ghaeilge, Ollscoil Mha Nuad; Osgur Ó Ciardha, comhairleoir gnó agus teanga agus bunaitheoir Fios Ceirde Teoranta; agus Dochtúir Úna Bhreathnach, Bainisteoir Eagarthóireachta/Ollamh Cúnta, Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge, Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath.
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READ: Why exemptions from studying Irish are an increasing phenomenon
READ: Ní thuigim: does AI even understand Gaeilge?
READ: How slogans as Gaeilge have become part of Irish Gaza protests
READ: How words can have many meanings when we speak in Irish English
READ: How the Irish language has made its mark on our street signs
READ: Why is the Irish language so widely abused on public signs?
The credits: this episode of the RTÉ Brainstorm podcast was produced by Ciaran O'Byrne, research was by Julia Kennedy and it was recorded by Harry Bookless. RTÉ Brainstorm is edited by Jim Carroll and the assistant editor is Aoife Ryan-Christensen. The series is proudly supported by Taighde Éireann/Research Ireland.
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The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
