Learn Irish in Ireland

by Elizabeth Catanese

Overview

There are many reasons to learn Irish in Ireland. One reason being that the number of Irish speakers continues to grow. Another reason to learn Irish stems from the fact that much print media is written in Irish. Also, learning Irish will allow you to read folktales and folklore, and thus access Irish culture. Below, find some strategies for learning Irish in Ireland, where the language is predominantly spoken.
Irish Classes

Select a location to take a class in Ireland. Oideas Gael is one center for study in Donegal, and Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain in Galway. Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain in Conemara has a summer course in Irish for foreign students. For undergraduates who would like to learn Irish, Trinity College in Dublin offers Irish language courses.

Irish Broadcasting

Listen to Irish radio. Listening to the language being spoken is an excellent way to learn Irish in Ireland. The radio station Raidió na Gaeltachta, for example, broadcasts Irish in Ireland.
Irish Newspapers

Read Irish newspapers such as Lá Nua with an Irish dictionary in hand.
Conversations

Converse with people in Ireland. A great way to learn a language is to listen to it being spoken. Ireland's active pub culture can provide a venue for listening to Irish being spoken and practicing the language.

Overview