Member Profile: Shannon Mullens

Shannon Mullens, from North Carolina, is very clear about why learning Irish is such a worthy and worthwhile pursuit. Heritage, spiritualism and a need to resist linguistic homogenisation are all factors when it comes to acquiring ‘an cúpla focal’. As Shannon states:

I started learning Irish because I love the language, and I feel drawn to Éire and to An Ghaeilge. I’m a pagan practitioner who is also strongly anti-colonialism, so the opportunity to honor my roots, my spiritual practice, and to help a threatened language by having one more speaker is a big deal to me.

For Shannon, this love of Irish not only entails studying and attending classes or workshops, but also insisting on finding ways to apply the language with friends, either through comhrá session or group activities. It fits that when it comes to visiting Ireland, Shannon is 100% focused on going to the Gaeltacht:

My favorite place in all the world is Inis Mór, a Gaeltacht region, and I dream of someday going there and not having to speak any Béarla at all.

Níl amhras ar bith againn ach go mbainfidh tú do cheann scríbe amach, a Shannon – we have no doubt that you will reach your destination!