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Fluent Irish speaker Enda Kenny is to end compulsory teaching of the language if put into power.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20110207/tuk-kenny-vows-to-make-irish-optional-e1cd776.html

I certainly hope that doesn't happen. I think it would be a sad day in Ireland.




Zee

The Irish people will not let that happen!

By the way the name in the "Subject" should be changed to Enda, not Edna.

He is the leader of the Fine Gael Party, and he's desperate for votes.
In June 2010 he lost the support of his deputy leader Richard Bruton,
and (quote) "on the following day it was revealed that nine members of
the Fine Gael frontbench did not have confidence in Enda Kenny to lead their party." 

Irish is a compulsory subject for passing the Leaving Certificate. in other words you have to be proficient in Irish
before you can graduate. The purpose of this was to revive the Irish Language after gaining Independence
from the British, who had abolished the Irish Language.
Irish has grown, and is now an official Language of the EU,
meaning that all official documents MUST be translated into Irish.
The Irish did not fight and die for their rights, only to have them taken away by a failing politician.

Poor old Enda is trying to gain favour with the EU and Immigrant Groups.
He is like a naughty child, trying anything to get attention.

Many Irish people would like to see the Irish Language made compulsory for employment,
thereby jobs would go to Irish first, which is the way it should be, in my opinion.
Their reasoning is....if you want to live here that much, you should make the effort to learn our language.

Maggie
 I knew you would respond and that is how copied his name from the from the title. Look at the link unless you being sarcastic of his name :D
I agree with you on the last part: "Many Irish people would like to see the Irish Language made compulsory for employment,
thereby jobs would go to Irish first, which is the way it should be, in my opinion.
Their reasoning is....if you want to live here that much, you should make the effort to learn our language."

I go over to live there if the job ask me too. Or win the lottery ::)

      He will always be Edna to me!  :P

 :D :D :D
Now that's not fair to the Edna's of the world! ;D

Good comeback Maggie :D
http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0207/corporatetax.html

:D :D :D

Students oppose Enda's proposal and Maggie is correct.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20110214/tuk-students-oppose-irish-language-plan-e1cd776.html

Well...like it or not, Enda (Edna) is now in charge.
The Irish people have spoken.....and Fine Gael won by a landslide.....led by Enda Kenny!  :(

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_general_election,_2011

Why sad Maggie?  The other party was not well by some not doing the "job". Now with Enda you be bummed and you have your reasons. Now proposal to ban cars from driving in major Irish towns or basically take more from them.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/drivers-facing-car-ban-in-major-towns-under-new-transport-plan-2560153.html

I'm not really sad, I don't vote so I can't complain.

I do care deeply about Ireland though, and I'm disappointed at the way some greedy and self-serving politicians
of all parties have brought the country down in recent years.
I don't care for Enda Kenny, I don't think he will make a good Taoiseach, but I hope he proves me wrong.
I hope he manages to renegotiate the bail-out and gets a better deal for Ireland.

We will have to wait and see.....

I agree with you Maggie as it is here to with government. Just he as others want to Ireland to be good economical as here too

about Irish and Gaelic language....I always wonder why there is no movement among Irish Americans to promote their native language? (at least I never heard one?)
I know a lot of events promoting Chinese, Japanese, Native American language or Arabic, while most universities in US don't even offer Gaelic language course.

I suddenly have idea into my mind: If I ever go to Grad school, I should MA in Irish language/history... ;D

:(

That's a good idea! I wanna do that too ;) Many people I know take Irish Gaelic through Rosetta Stone and such :)

First of all, Irish is a very difficult language to learn, it takes time and effort.
Rosetta Stone is good, but expensive.
The ideal way to learn Irish is face to face with your teacher,
that's the only way you'll get the aspirated consonants right.
There is a section about that on this site:
http://www.standingstones.com/gaelpron.html

There are many Irish organizations in the USA which promote the Irish Language.
Here's a list of Irish Language events and courses:
http://www.daltai.com/events.htm

Other resources:
http://www.irishlanguagetoday.com/learn-to-speak/irish-language-lessons

Here is a list of Institutions
receiving funding from the Irish Government for their Irish lessons/studies....
However, that funding may be coming to an end because of the Irish Economy:

    * UWM Foundation (Wisconsin University), USA
    * University of St. Thomas, Texas, USA
    * University of St. Thomas, Minnesota, USA
    * Boston College, USA
    * University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
    * Institiúid an Léinn Ghael-Mheiriceánaigh (Lehman), New York, USA
    * Glucksman Ireland House, New York University, USA
    * Institiud na hÉireann i bPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
    * New College of California, USA
    * Fordham University, Nua Eabhrac, USA
    * Fealsún (Irish tuition for beginners), Missouri, USA
    * University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
    * The Centre for Canadian Irish Studies, Concordia, Montreal, Canada
    * North American Association for Celtic Language Teachers, Ontario, Canada  
    * Daltaí na Gaeilge, Nova Scotia, Canada
    * University of Liverpool, England
    * St Mary’s University College, Twickenham, England
    * University of Cambridge, England
    * University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales
    * Cardiff University, Wales
    * University of Oslo, Norway
    * Coláiste na nGael, Paris, France
    * Université Rennes 2, Brittany, France
    * Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany
    * Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany
    * Dusseldorf University, Germany
    * University of Freiburg, Germany
    * University of Bonn, Germany
    * Humbolt-Scoil na Léinn Cheiltigh, Berlin, Germany
    * Universität Mannheim, Germany
    * SKSK (Studienhaus für Keltische Sprachen und Kulturen), Germany
    * Comhaltachtai do Mhic Léinn – Johann Kaspar Zeuss
    * Ollscoil Chaitliceach Lublin, Poland
    * Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
   * Károli Gáspár University, Budapest, Hungary
    * University of Szeged, Hungary
    * Ionad na Léinn Éireannaigh, Univerzita Karlova, Prague, Czech Republic

I knew there is a professor in my school has great interest in Ireland...
I want to ask him if the school can start Gaelige class next time we meet...

It's funny that my college has nickname Gael with majority of Irish background students yet offers no Irish study.

Somebody has to start it....there has to be enough demand first of all.

Is this your College?

(https://www.nmnathletics.com/ecomphotos1/300/876/371876.jpg)

yes  :D

  I think this will take a concerted effort among the Irish minority ( to keep it going) who still speak Irish fluently- not the least of which are two of our Celtic Cuties-Meav and Orla...et al.   I think it's a lovely sounding language. I think anyone who would want to ban such a wonderful thing has no respect for culture or tradition.   :-\