The Irish Language: A Portal to Imagination
Journalist Una Mullally argues that the Irish language is a joy, not a burden, offering a unique perspective on the world.
Despite a boom in Irish culture, record numbers of pupils are seeking opt-outs from compulsory Irish language learning, a trend Mullally believes is misguided.
The Irish language is a portal to a world of imagination, where even a penis is referred to as a "wild carrot" in Irish.
The Irish language, also known as Gaeilge, has experienced a revival in recent years, with the number of schools teaching the national curriculum exclusively through Irish rising from fewer than 20 in the 1970s to over 200 today.
- The 2022 census showed a 6% increase in the number of people able to speak Irish compared to 2016.
Author's summary: Irish language promotes imagination and creativity.