The Irish language

There is definitely an upsurge in the number of people wishing to learn and speak Irish, while it is frequently in the news of late for a variety of reasons!

Back in 1912, the Irish language newspaper, An Claidheamh Soluis (the sword of Light) and organ of the Gaelic League reported on efforts being made throughout the country to promote the speaking of Irish:

The Greeneastle Gaedhealtacht… Mrs. Alice Stopford Green distributed on Sunday, 28th ultimo, 320 badges to speakers of Irish in Greeneastle, Co. Tyrone, who promised to speak only Irish to those who knew the language. The pledge was taken at a public meeting at which Father McGeown presided, and which was addressed by Mrs. Green, Mr. Biggar, Professor Eoin Mac Neill and Professor McAllister. Pilib 0 Bhaldrain is largely responsible for the new spirit that has made the Greeneastle Gaedhilgeoiri determine to save Irish. There are scores of isolated districts where with the same spirit and methodical industry as that which the Greeneastle Coiste Ceanntair has shown, Irish might be made again the common speech of young and old. A few native speakers and a good teacher in a parish are sufficient to enable all the young people of the place to acquire a speaking-knowledge of Irish.

The"Ulster Herald" states that the Greencastle Summer School will open early in July, and that it will be continued to the end of the first week of August. Professor Mac Neill will be one of the lecturers this year. "Rich in Irish, rich in Gaelic lore, in story, and poem, and rich also in Irish music, the whole sweep of country," says the "Ulster Herald," "is deeply interesting to the historian."

It wasn’t just in Ireland and the same newspaper proudly reported on efforts across the Atlantic to do likewise:

Domhnall 0 Conchubhair is organising for the New York Feis, which is announced for May 19th. A large and encouraging number of entries have been received for the language section. The programme is a modest one, but the promises of success make Domhnall O Conchubhair very optimistic regarding Results. The Monaghan Men's Association have presented a silver cup to be competed for at the Feis; the " Irish-American " newspaper has offered sets of gold  silver, and bronze medals for the four-hand reel; arid Major E. T. McCrystal has presented several book prizes. The ‘New York Advocate" has given book prizes to the value of £2. Padraigh O Dalaigh, who has landed safely in New York, will address the Feis gathering in Celtic Park. The Feis will be preceded by a football match between the Kerry and the Kildare teams. The Irish Volunteer Regiment under the direction of Colonel Crowley will give an exhibition' drill. Mr. Antony Brogan is giving valuable book prizes for a special competition which will be confined to the children of the New York and Brooklyn parochial schools

For more information search the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archive (www.irishnewsarchive.com )