Two people who grew up in the United States of America were among the learners who began a new term of Irish classes at The Arches Hotel in Claregalway this week.

Because the classes sold out two days in advance, Nuacht TG4 decided to give us a visit to find out why there is so much interest in the Irish language in Claregalway!

There is definitely some sort of a “reawakening” happening with our native language across the country and we are thrilled by the interest in our Tuesday evening classes.

Thanks so much to Patrick and Gavin from Nuacht TG4 who joined us for the start of our new term and broadcast a lovely report on last night’s main evening news: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1617098305965298

Among those interviewed by the news crew was Stephen O’Connell from New York. Stephen’s dad, a native Irish speaker, left Cloonbiggen as a teenager to start a new life in the United States in 1958.

Now Stephen is learning his dad’s native language just five minutes from the old family home. He left New York to return to his father’s native Claregalway three years ago.

“I have a big interest in the Irish language,” he told Nuacht TG4. “My father has Irish. My father is from Galway, here in Claregalway., and I think Irish is very important.”

Nuacht TG4 also interviewed our teacher, Máire Nic Oireachtaigh, about the demand for the classes and Stephen’s uncle, Seamus, one of the native speakers who grew up with Irish in Claregalway and who is featured on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/_jEH4Hk2Nig

Seamus and Stephen’s father grew up in an Irish-speaking household in Gaeltacht an Eachréidh and Seamus is delighted to note the keen interest in the language now following years of decline.

Seamus said that he had seen his nephew’s Irish improve substantially since he moved “home” to Baile Chláir and it was inspirational that someone who was born in the US had such a keen interest in the language.

It is great to hear Irish being spoken at The Arches every Tuesday when the 26 adult learners come together for the classes.

And don’t forget to join us for the ‘Ciorcal Comhrá’ at the same venue on Thursdays (8pm) if you have some level of Irish!