Today is the monthly Gaelic workshop; I’m not Irish, and as far as I can tell, apart from a second cousin of my mother-in-law who married an Irish man for County Wicklow, I have no family connection to Ireland. However I have visited dozens of times, and had ten or more holidays there. It’s a beautiful and fascinating country and has a rich and enormous culture to be explored.
A few years ago there was a note in our local newspaper about someone wanting to start a Gaelic group; that someone became a very good friend because I responded to the advert and began to learn Irish, Gaelic. I have really enjoyed it over the years and had many wonderful experiences with the Gaelic group, including a life-changing visit to Iceland to explore th connection between it and Ireland. We meet every two weeks for one evening, and then once a month for a workshop with our teacher from Colaiste na nGael.
Over the years I’ve worked really hard, maybe not as much recently when I have spent so much time writing, but I have tried my best. sadly, my Gaelic is still not much more than a basic grasp. I am better at the passive skills of reading and writing, but actively listening an even more speaking, I am just terrible! I love it but I can’t do it! I won’t give up, because I love the language, I love the cultural background to it, and I love my friends I’m learning with. They are all Irish and even if they are beginners, they have the sounds and the intonation in their heads.
never mind! It is Gaelic today and I’m looking forward to it! A friend has shared some audio lessons with me… here is the first one… I’m sure you’ll soon be able to greet and say farewell fluently in Gaelic!
Lois Elsden 