Record increase in numbers learning Irish

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Written by John Fallon

Wednesday, 03 January 2007

There has been a record increase in the number of people starting to learn Irish in Connemara colleges and around the country, according to new figures.

And Irish language station TG4 is being credited with a lot of the upsurge in people returning to their roots and falling back in love with the Irish language.

According to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, 2006 was a bumper year for approved courses in the Gaeltacht.

An all-time record of 25,000 students attended courses recognised under the Department's Irish Language Learners' scheme in 2006.

Over 1,000 of these were adult learners, while the remainder were young students aged over ten years of age.

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon O Cuív said that it was a testament to the growing interest that parents and students alike are showing in acquiring Irish as a spoken language. "At a time of increasing affluence and choice in Irish society, it would appear that more and more people are opting for the Irish language. The average number of students attending these courses is up 50pc compared with the 1970s and 1980s.

"There is no question but that Irish is much more prominent now in our society due to developments in recent years such as the establishment of TG4 and that out young people now have more of an interest in the language," he said.

Early indications for 2007 are that bookings are already strong with further growth expected in the numbers learning Irish.

"Thousands of students who have gone through the colaisti samhraidh system over the years have been enriched by the experience and most retain not only a knowledge of the language, but also a fondness for both Gaeilge and the Gaeltacht for the rest of their lives," he added.

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