I’m not a Gaeilgeoir. Aside from helping my young children with their Irish homework, before this week you wouldn’t have heard me “ag labhairt as Gaeilge”.
So the thought of speaking Irish as part of my live broadcast on RTÉ’s Six One news on St Patrick’s Day sent a shiver through me, a fear of being criticised for not being good enough.
Fear, hesitation and determination – were among the mixed feelings I experienced during the week.
There was a time I was immersed in our native tongue when I studied Irish as part of my arts degree at University College Cork. But as time had passed so too did my fluency with my Irish reduced to an embarrassingly basic level.
Now, 25 years on from my college days, I decided to embrace the spirit of the festival by trying to speak the “cúpla focal as Gaeilge” and commit to the challenge of broadcasting in Irish.
As well as a live segment on 17 March, my assignment also included doing a news package on Seachtain na Gaeilge, the largest Irish language and culture festival in Ireland which was set up in 1902. Help was needed.
Bláthanid Nà Chofaigh and my good friend Cleona Nà Chrualaoà (producer of An CailÃn Ciúin) came to my rescue, helping with translations and pronunciation.
They made voice recordings for me and for the past week I have been listening to their eloquent turns of phrase as I drove around the city filming my report.
My first stop was St Anne’s Park in Raheny where the Binse Comhrá initiative was launched by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, also embracing Irish for Seachtain na Gaeilge.
Dyane Connor and Cleona NÃ ChrualaoÃ
Nine benches around the capital have been marked as focal points for people to connect over a cúpla focal, with plans to expand that to over 20 by the end of the year.
Daithà de Buitléir from Gaeilge 365, Dublin City Council’s Irish language innovation unit, told me more.
Exceptionally understanding and helpful, Daithà did a bi-lingual interview with me detailing some of the initiatives the council has established to promote Irish year round, not just this week.
He put me in contact with James Knoblauch, Programme Manager in Foraois, a pilot project in Dublin to encourage children to use Irish in their everyday lives, not just in the classroom.
He has been overwhelmed by the response, saying 150 children are taking part in activities through the medium of Irish every week after school in the north Dublin area.
He brings me to Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol in Donaghamede to see the chess club. I begin by apologising: “NÃl mo chuid Gaeilge go maith”, feeling embarrassed I have so little to say “as Gaeilge” surrounded by children who speak so fluently.
Eight-year-old Oliva Finnerty spoke Irish with such ease, while I dug deep into my memory bank to ask some simple questions. Nevertheless, I leave the Gaelscoil feeling invigorated about Irish, inspired by these children.
James Knoblauch with students from Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol in Donaghamede
As I drove into the city I listened to my friend Cleona’s voice, practicing my pronunciation out loud for a PTC (piece to camera) report we planned to record on Lower Abbey Street.
I had heard about a shop there that encourages people to do their shopping through Irish.
Reynolds is one of a number of businesses that displays a sign reading “Labhair Linn” – speak to us in Irish – and within minutes of our arrival a gentleman arrives and buys a lotto ticket ag labhairt as Gaeilge.
I wasn’t working on Wednesday so I had time to spend standing in front of the mirror practicing what I would say in the live broadcast, trying to build up my confidence.
Chaith mé an lá ag labhairt Gaeilge le mo pháistà agus bhà iontas orm gur bhain mé an oiread taithneamh as. ( I spent the day speaking Irish to my children and surprised myself by how much I enjoyed it. I had help translating this correctly.)
My confidence has grown throughout the week, with the support of my family, friends and newsroom colleagues.
While some concerns were raised about how appropriate it is for me to do this with my level of Irish, most of the Gaeilgeoirà I have met have been so helpful and encouraging, believing that my efforts will encourage others who are relearning the language not to shy away for speaking it publicly.
I apologise in advance for any mispronunciation or mistakes on St Patrick’s Day, I’ll do my very best and I know I will do better in the future because now I have confidence to keep trying.
While I’m nervous, I’m determined to give it a go and hopefully encourage others to lose their inhibitions too and speak a cúpla focal gach lá, and have fun with it.
Guigh gach rath orm. Wish me luck.