Na Rónta: The Folklore of Seals in Ireland
Being a coastal island, Ireland has developed a close relationship with 'na rónta' (seals) throughout its history. Sometimes the bane of fishermen, s…
Tag: Irish
Discussion about Ireland, the Irish language, its history, people and culture.
Irish and Scottish Gaelic: Similar yet Different
The two languages are similar enough that someone who can speak one of them comfortably may be able to comprehend the other, albeit with help from a d…
Who was Peig Sayers?
Máire Ní Dhálaigh, from the Office of Public Works's Blasket Centre, gave what is likely the most accurate and fair description of Peig Sayers: “…
Seamus Heaney and the Irish Language
Seamus Heaney, Ireland’s Noble Laureate, was a poet who saw himself positioned on the borderline between identities. His father was a cattle-dealer …
The Irish Language and the Catholic Church: A Nuanced Consideration
While the Irish people fought for autonomy for centuries under British rule, the first concern of the Catholic Church, being a world religion, was to …
Gaelic vs. Irish: The History of Each Term
It’s a common experience: You might be telling someone that you’re learning Irish or describing an encounter with the language, and that person lo…
The Power of Irish Placenames
The power of Irish placenames is astounding! Our 'logainmneacha' show us the beauty of Irish all around us, and allow us to reconnect with the languag…
The Process of Decolonization
So how do we begin to repair the damage, how do we find ourselves again, after the trauma of colonization? Here are the five stages in the process …