Road signs in Ireland on the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, Ireland

Year of the Irish Language with Eoin O’ConchĂșir of Bitesize Irish Gaelic

Bitesize Irish - learn the Irish language
Learn Irish from Bitesize Irish Gaelic

Eoin O'ConchĂșir joins me on the podcast to talk about the Irish language in Ireland and how his course, Bitesize Irish Gaelic, helps people learn Irish.

The Year of the Irish Language

This article is based on a podcast episode featuring Eoin O'ConchĂșir, the founder of Bitesize Irish Gaelic. If you prefer to listen to the podcast, you can find the player at the bottom of the page.

Eoin O'ConchĂșir of Bitesize Irish Gaelic

Bitesize Irish Gaelic

The Irish language has gone through many different steps, positive and negative, throughout its history.

Written Irish has been used for about 1500 years, but due to many invasions it was unlikely to have ever been the only language in Ireland.

Speaking Irish may have been an economic burden as speaking English would have offered more opportunity.

Irish Language Productions & Podcasts

TG4 is the Irish language TV station in Ireland

RTÉ RaidiĂł na Gaeltachta 

MotherfoclĂłir podcast

DuoLingo app – available on iTunes and GooglePlay

Gaeilge During and After Rebellions and The Troubles

The Irish language exists on its own, but the 1916 uprising seemed to be a tipping point toward taking back cultural identity.

The Irish language may ‘come with a lot of baggage' but it's a way to ‘tap into Irish-ness'. It's a deep, personal experience to be able to express yourself, even a little bit, through a language.

Bitesize Irish Gaelic

Bitesize.irish began in 2010

Bitesize Irish has so many options for learning Irish!

Free one month course

The Bitesize Irish course (with free trial account)

Learn Irish with Eoin– a one hour ‘crash course' (via Amazon)

Bitesize Audio Program – 15 hours of audio lessons

Find Bitesize Irish Gaelic on Facebook

Recommended Destinations to hear Irish spoken

Carraroe, Connemara, County Galway – very popular with Irish-speaking visitors for culture and Irish schools

How to Order a Pint of Guinness in Irish

Pionta Guinness le do thoil – a pint of Guinness please

Substitute the name of your favorite beverage- Bulmers, Smithwicks, Beamish….

Dingle Peninsula

Belfast has strong pockets of Irish. Falls Road has signs in Irish and English. A few Belfast events and initiatives: Duncairn Centre for Culture & Arts, FĂ©ile an Phobail (multiple festivals), Culturlann.

Final Thoughts

Remember, you don't need to wait for permission to use the Irish language. Even if it's just a few words- please, thank you, or cheers!- use your a cĂșpla focal and it will make your trip to Ireland more enjoyable.

Traveling in Ireland Podcast Episode 51

Jody Halsted
Follow Along

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