Member Profile: Eric Funston
“The way we express things shapes the way we pray, the way we believe, and the way we think.”
Eric Funston grew up hearing stories of one of his ancestral grandfathers, an Irishman that crossed the Atlantic nine times before settling in America. Later, as an Anglican priest, he took a particular interest in Celtic customs and spirituality. While studying this subject it was apparent to him that to truly understand a culture and the people in it one needs to know their language. Further visits to Ireland further convinced him that he needed to learn Irish.
In 2008 Eric received a grant from his bishop to study Irish and therefore was able to attend the Acadamh in An Cheathrú Rua (Carraroe). He returned to the Acadamh two years later during a sabbatical. Also in 2010, Eric took a cottage in County Offaly for a month and translated old Irish hymns, one of which his church’s choir sang. Having retired from the priesthood, Eric continues to pursue the language with Let’s Learn Irish and enjoys the opportunity to speak Irish with other learners. You can read more about Eric’s Irish language journey here!
Cé Thusa?
Ainm/Name: Eric Funston
Áit/Location: Medina, Ohio, USA
Leibhéal/Level: B1 Intermediate
Ról sa Chomhphobal/Role in the Community: Foghlaimeoir/Learner
Slí Beatha/Occupation: Sagart (ar scoir)
Fad ag foghlaim Gaeilge/Time learning Irish: Ceithre bliana déag
Caithimh Aimseartha/Hobbies: An chócaireacht, léamh, súgradh le mo mhadra
Cad is Fearr Leat?
Ceol/Music: Classic rock, folk rock, traditional Irish
Amhrán/Song: Sit Down, Young Stranger by Gordon Lightfoot
Bia/Food: Mexican, Indian, Thai
Deoch/Drink: Irish whiskey
Scannán/Film: 2001: A Space Odyssey
Clár Teilifíse/TV Show: The Twilight Zone
Podchraoladh/Podcast: The Bible for Normal People
Leabhar/Book: Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child
Ainmhí/Animal: Madraí agus meannáin
Laoch/Hero: Ardeaspag Desmond Tutu
Áit in Éirinn/Place in Ireland: St. Brendan’s Cathedral, Clonfert
Frása Gaeilge/Irish phrase: Go n-ithe an cat thú is go n-ithe an diabhal an cat!
Miotaseolaíocht/Irish Mythology: An Bradán Feasa
Seanfhocal/Proverb: Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine.
Mana saoil/Life motto: Fan calma agus labhair Gaeilge
Comhairle d’fhoghlaimeoirí nua/Advice for new learners of Irish: Cleachtadh, cleachtadh, cleachtadh!
Join the online Irish community for cúrsaí, comhrá & ceardlanna, and follow along on social media @LetsLearnIrish – beidh fáilte romhat!
