How ISL interpreters became the most familiar faces at pandemic briefings

Televised Covid-19 briefings help highlight the importance of Irish sign language. We talk to sign language interpreters, including those working with NPHET, who are breaking down Ireland's communication barriers

Lisa Harvey was interpreting a speech by the Taoiseach on live TV when she learned she would have to postpone her wedding. Picture: Moya Nolan

UNTIL recently, many of us may not have paid much attention to press conference interpreters. That’s because until Covid-19 hit, they were largely unseen.

In fact, there weren’t any Irish sign language interpreters present for the initial pandemic briefings.