There seems to be a general perception that our national language is perpetually on its last legs. But the view from within the Irish-language departments of our third-level institutions – and from colleges as far afield as the US and Australia – is rather different.
According to the Higher Education Authority, the number of students studying through Irish at third level – and studying all manner of subjects from economics and journalism to computing – is not only very healthy, but has been described as a “mini-revival”.
Why is this? Some point to the steady rise of Irish-language preschool and primary education since the 1970s, which may now be contributing to an increased demand for Irish-language courses at third level; others suggest that innovative programmes such as Dublin City University’s Fiontar have revolutionised the way in which students relate to the language. More.
See: The Irish Times
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"In 2002 the third Coimisiún na Gaeltachta stated in its report that the erosion of Irish was now such that it was only a matter of time before the Gaeltacht disappeared. In some areas Irish had already ceased to be a community language. Even in the strongest Gaeltacht areas, current patterns of bilingualism were leading to the dominance of English. Policies implemented by the State and voluntary groups were having no effect."
And nothing positive has happened since.
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