Comedian and writer, Michael Fry spoke to Brendan Courtney on the Ryan Tubridy Show on RTÉ Radio One about his comedy and his passion for the Irish language.
As part of the campaign, Michael, Marissa Carter and Marty Morrissey have been paired with fluent Irish speakers from the podcast and radio show, Beo ar Éigean as they learn more Irish, become more confident in the Irish they have and endeavor to use it in their lives.
Creidim Ionat, a Foras na Gaeilge initiative, calls on anyone and everyone with an interest in Irish to Pick a partner and agree a goal. It is hoped that fluent Irish-speakers will reach out to someone they know and help them on their Irish-language journey.
Equally, anyone who wishes to engage or re-engage with Irish can pick a fluent partner, either through social media or in person, to get started on their journey to everyday Irish. The goals can be as simple as using some new phrases, learning a song as Gaeilge, or reading an Irish-language book. Foras na Gaeilge says: If you are an Irish speaker, consider putting yourself forward as a mentor on social media with the aim of supporting a mentee to achieve a language goal.
Brendan said he had a good grasp of the language, but it has disappeared from view but wants to return to the language like so many others.
Michael told Brendan he plans to write and perform a sketch as Gaeilge next month with the help of broadcaster and native Irish speaker, Áine Ní Bhreisleáin. Michael says Áine's help gives him the 'native speaker's perspective' on the language.
Despite the fact that Michael, like many others, hasn't used his Irish in a long time, he said with the help of his mentor, and listening, reading and speaking the Irish he has, he has been pleasantly surprised.
You can find out more about Creidim Ionat here
