Beidh Tú Alright: An Irish Language Journey - Couverture souple

McHugh, Joe

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 1786051982 ISBN 13 : 9781786051981

Editeur : Red Stripe Press, 2025

Synopsis

In July 2014, Joe McHugh TD faced one of the most significant challenges of his political career. Appointed Minister for Natural Resources, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, McHugh was tasked with promoting the Irish language, despite having a limited grasp of the language himself. The outcry from the Irish-speaking community was immediate, with protestors chanting ‘Aire gan teanga, Aire gan clue’ (A Minister without a language is a Minister without a clue) outside Government Buildings. But instead of retreating, McHugh embraced this personal and public challenge, embarking on a journey to become a fluent Irish speaker. In Beidh Tú Alright, Joe McHugh shares his candid account of overcoming the daunting task of mastering Irish as an adult. He takes readers behind the scenes, revealing the emotional and intellectual struggles faced, and the deep connections he forged with the language, its history, and the Irish-speaking communities. McHugh’s journey was not just about learning a language but rediscovering its cultural significance. From uncovering the meaning behind place names like Maam Cross and Gleann an Ghiolla Ghránna to finding inspiration in the landscapes of Bear Island and Gleann Cholm Cille, Beidh Tú Alright delves into how language can connect us to our heritage, our sense of place, and our own identity. Beidh Tú Alright is a powerful nod to the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of cultural heritage, and the joy of lifelong learning. McHugh’s personal story will inspire both those who have yet to start their Irish language journey and those who may have once given up.

A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

Joe McHugh is a Donegal man who started his career in education before entering politics in 1999. He has just completed 25 years as a full-time politician. He held six ministerial positions, culminating in his appointment as Minister for Education in 2018. Joe was at the helm during Covid-19 and was faced with difficult decisions around the 2020 Leaving Certificate. He was faced with many challenges during his time in political office, and none more so than the defective blocks issue in his home county. He took a stand on the issue and voted against his own government when legislation on the scheme was going through the Dáil. Joe is an advocate for lifelong learning and a believer in the art of the possible. He has embraced the transition from politics by immersing himself in education once again. He is currently completing a MSc in Positive Health Coaching in the Royal College of Surgeons, and is pursuing a new career in coaching with a particular focus on group coaching. Joe’s Irish language journey has given him the confidence to embrace a new life, and he hopes to become an advocate for change in people’s lives. Learning Irish gave Joe a taste of three important principles: purpose, mastery and autonomy. Joe lives in Dún Mór, Carraig Airt with his wife, Olwyn, and their three children, Darragh, Aedín agus Oisín. Spotty the cat also lives there, and they are down to two hens thanks to the madra rua!

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Following my appointment as a government minister to the Department of the Gaeltacht and the Islands in July 2014, I was immediately faced with many challenges. While it was undoubtedly a cause for celebration, it was nonetheless the hardest moment of my political career and at the time a difficult time personally. The then Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, had appointed me to a ministerial role with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, the Islands and the Irish language. An element within the Irish-speaking community smelt blood. ‘Aire gan teanga, Aire gan clue’ – a minister without the language is a minister without a clue – they chanted outside Government Buildings. It was an understandable concern. However, balanced with my detractors were the many people who supported me and believed in my ability to rise to the challenge. Their support was critical in encouraging and motivating me to plough ahead on my journey. So, I invite you, the reader, into my world in those early hours, days, weeks, months, and years following my appointment. I went from a very dark and lonely place to embark on a journey of discovery that ultimately led to both a newfound love for the Irish language and an incredible opportunity to speak fluently in my native tongue. Now, as I reflect on the last ten years, two things come to mind. Where did those ten years go? And, secondly, if I was to do it all again, I wouldn’t change a thing. This personal journey – which started in the Gaeltacht Department and meandered to wonderful places like Milwaukee, Bere Island and Gleann Cholm Cille – is a reflection of and insight into language learning opportunities in various departments, which culminated in my appointment to a senior Cabinet role in Government as Minister for Education and Skills. You may ask why I wrote this memoir. Something stirred within me and, putting it simply, I wanted to articulate and map my own journey. In doing this, I discovered it was more than that – it made me appreciate the value of the Irish language and how sharing that journey might inspire others to discover it. As a fluent Irish speaker now (who still struggles with the grammar, by the way), I want to impart the lessons I learned, which I hope can help other people trying to relearn Gaeilge and those learning for the first time. As the Kerryman said to the American tourist who asked for directions, ‘I wouldn’t start from here’! I delve into the main enablers which assisted my language journey. Place and history became key drivers in whetting my curiosity to learn more. Why was the English name of Maam Cross in Galway changed from Teach Dóite – Burnt House? Where is the ‘big ring fort’ that gave its name to my own townland of Dún Mór – Dunmore? The Irish language was becoming relevant to me for the first time. I learned too that it’s much more than just a communication tool. It is a gateway to our history and culture. It gave me a deeper understanding of people and communities. Did I get a deeper understanding of my own place in the world? B’fhéidir – perhaps! The opportunity to learn Irish properly for the first time changed my life. I want to tell my story in the hope that it will inspire more people to embark on a similar journey of discovery and enrichment. The Irish language is all around us and through broadcasting, social media and film it is becoming ever more visible and accessible. Colm Bairéad’s An Cailín Ciúin (based on Claire Keegan’s short story Foster), Seán Breathnach’s Foscadh (based on Donal Ryan’s novel The Thing about December) and Arracht (written and directed by Tomás Ó Súilleabháin) are but three examples of the recent revolution in Irish-language cinema. You can also add crime drama Crá to the list. And Belfast-based hip hop band Kneecap may be controversial, but their impact on the Irish language is undeniable. I also want to challenge current policy makers so that they can look at new ways of making the Irish language journey more relevant and enjoyable. ‘Sure, you were a senior policy maker yourself, Joe!’, you may say. I was indeed, and I am confident that the Scéim Aitheantais Scoileanna Gaeltachta policy initiative that I facilitated in the Department of Education in 2015 will provide a solid foundation for future policy initiatives. The fruits of the labour were evident at a public ceremony in Amharclann Gaoth Dobhair a few weeks back. The CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) pilot that I initiated in 2019, which aims to teach Irish through PE, is another attempt to make the teaching of Irish both relevant and fun in the time ahead. The answer to the question ‘How do you eat an elephant?’ comes to mind here: céim ar chéim – bit by bit/step by step.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Red Stripe Press
• Date d'édition: 2025
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 1786051982
• ISBN 13: 9781786051981
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 312
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible