When people speak of the Irish language, they often use the term Gaelic. Gaelic actually refers to a branch of the Celtic language that includes Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx (now extinct.) The proper name for Irish is Gaeilge, which has morphed into the word Gaelic (even though Gaelic more properly refers to the language of Scotland).
Learn to Speak Irish Online
There are many websites that offer Irish language courses. Many are free, some offer subscription or premium software or services. Here is a sampling:
- Byki language learning system and community is a website that offers free introductory language learning software as well as premium upgrades with additional content, learning activities and access to their language community website.
- Interactive Irish Lessons offers general common Irish and more serious lessons in the language.
- Irish 101 provides vocabulary, pronunciation guides and information about the Irish language.
- Gaeltalk is an online Irish language course.
- Learn to Speak Gaelic (Irish) is an online language exchange via email, text chat, and voice chat.
- Transparent Language's Irish Language and Learning Pages offers language learning software products, but also has links to phrases and other helpful resources.
Audio/Video Courses for Learning Irish
Some people prefer to study a new language off-line or even in their car. The following are DVD and CD audio programs currently still available for purchase through sites such as Amazon.com or through the publisher's own website.
- Learn Irish with Rosetta Stone (CD or online subscription) [Rosetta Stone, 2008]
- Teach Yourself Irish Conversation (CD) by Donall Maire [McGraw-Hill, 2008]
- Speaking Irish (DVD) by Siuan Ni Mhaonaigh and Antain Mac Lochlainn [McGraw-Hill, 2007]
- Irish, Compact: Learn to Speak and Understand Gaelic Irish with Pimsleur Language Programs (CD) [Pimsleur, 2007]
- Teach Yourself Irish Complete Course (CD) by Diarmuid O Se [McGraw-Hill, 2004]
- Quick and Simple Irish (CD) [Pimsleur, 2001]
Books to Help Study the Irish Language
Some people learn best by having a structured language course in print to study from. The following is a roundup of Irish language study and grammar books.
- Basic Irish: A Grammar and Workbook by Nancy Stenson [Routledge, 2008]
- Colloquial Irish: The Complete Course for Beginners (focuses on language of East Connemara) by Thomas Ihde [Routledge, 2008]
- Learning Irish by Michael O. Siadhail [Yale University Press, 2006]
- Beginner's Irish by Gabriel Rosenstock [Hippocrene Books, 2005]
- Teach Yourself Irish Grammar by Eamonn O'Donnaill [McGraw-Hill, 2005]
- Irish Grammar: A Basic Handbook by Noel McGonagle [Hippocrene Books, 1998]
Irish/English Dictionaries and Phrasebooks
Whether engaging in self-study or taking a course through a local organization or university, it is always helpful to have supplementary language materials such as dictionaries and phrasebooks.
- Irish- English English-Irish Easy Reference Dictionary by the Educational Company of Ireland [Roberts Rinehart Publishers, 1998]
- Wicked Irish by Howard Tomb [Workman Publishing Co., 1999]
- Irish/English English/Irish Dictionary and Phrasebook by David Mladen [Hippocrene Books, 1991]
According to the website Gaeilge.ie over a million and a half people in the Republic of Ireland speak Irish, and the number is growing. Whether an individual chooses to learn Irish for personal reasons or because business relations require it, there are many resources available both on- and off-line.
Go n-éirí an t-ádh leat! (Good Luck!)
Try an online language community to practice speaking a new language.
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