Teacher Áine-Máire Ní Chonghaile talks to Oliver about her pride in her former students from rap trio Kneecap, their passion for the Irish language and the award-winning film about the group. Listen back above.

Oliver Callan spoke to the former French teacher of two band members of Kneecap about teaching them in Belfast's only second-level gaelscoil, Coláiste Feirste. Áine-Máire Ní Chonghaile spoke about her students' passion for the Irish language and her pride in the film Kneecap; the first Irish language movie to have its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

Set in Belfast in 2019, Kneecap is loosely based on the rise of the rap group of the same name. The three band members appear as themselves; Mo Chara, Moglaí Bap and DJ Provaí, along with Oscar-nominee Michael Fassbender, Simone Kirby (Hidden Assets) and Josie Walker (The Wonder).

The film was partly made with public funding, which has annoyed Ian Paisley Jnr. MP, who objects to the band’s use of Republican iconography and what he sees as inflammatory and divisive language. Oliver read out a quote from the DUP MP for North Antrim, who thinks the group show a lack of respect for Northern Ireland’s past:

"Have their families and schools failed to raise them with a sense of decency and respect? It certainly looks like it."

While the name 'Kneecap’ and the nickname of band member DJ ‘Próvaí’ are at least riffing on themes from the past; their former teacher says the band are aiming for comedy and satire and their work is art and not politics. Aine-Máire Ní Chonghaile says the two band members she taught are lovely people who come from a great community:

"I taught Moglaí Bap and Mo Chara, so that’s Liam Óg and Naoise, Naoise Ó Cairealláin. I taught them in Coláiste Feirste many years ago. And I taught them French. I have to say, they were two lovely lads, I have to say that. What Ian Paisley Junior has said, well, he doesn’t know the families and he doesn’t know the teachers."

Móglaí Bap/Naoise Ó Cairealláin’s Dublin-born mum Aoife Ni Riain was a presenter with Belfast’s Irish language Community Radio station Raidió Fáilte. Aoife passed away in 2020 and Áine-Máire says she was a well-loved figure in the community. She has fond memories of teaching the Ó Cairealláins, she says:

"I can definitely say they were very well brought up and very well taught in Coláiste Feirste because it’s a great school. And promoting the Irish language, I mean, come on! The Irish language at the Sundance Festival, come on. That is really special for all us gaelgóirí around the country."

Áine-Máire is proud of the work Kneecap have done in promoting the Irish language. She says it’s hugely exciting to see a movie i ngaeilge doing so well internationally:

"Those boys were brought up with the Irish language and they absolutely have a passion for it. And it is so lovely to see it being promoted around the world. And people sitting up and noticing it and singing in Irish. It’s lovely."

With some of their lyrics and videos causing controversy in the past as well as in this recent film, Áine-Máire says she thinks people don’t get that Kneecap are being satirical:

"Rap is controversial, it is satirical and I don’t think people understand, you know."

The approval of their teachers may not be top of the list of life goals for most rappers, and Oliver wondered aloud if praising the good manners of band members could damage their credibility? Áine-Máire says it's possible, but she thinks they’ll enjoy it:

"I was afraid I might – but I have to tell the truth and I think they’ll have a laugh when they hear it."

Having spent 17 years teaching in Belfast, Áine-Máire says she loves going back to visit and bumping into former students:

"When I’m back in Belfast and go into any shops, more than likely, somebody will speak to me in Irish and I will have taught them. It’s absolutely lovely, and they’re so proud to speak in Irish."

The film Kneecap is directed by Rich Peppiat; the co-produders are Jack Tarling and the Emmy-nominated producer Trevor Birney. It won the Audience Award: NEXT presented by @Adobe at the Sundance Film Festival and it’s been signed up for distribution across the United States by Sony Pictures Classic. The film is due to be in cinemas in Ireland later this year.

You can hear more interviews,trending topics, the latest in sport, the arts and everything that's hopping in Irish life on Oliver Callan here and on the RTÉ Radio app.