Going beyond the cúpla focail: What it's like to learn Irish as an adult

"Bí ag caint a little bit everyday, get on the Duolingo or any other app, speak it to your kids, your mother, your brother, your friend, even a little bit gach lá and you’ll see how much you remember and how enjoyable it is."

Aisling O'Donovan with dog Zena.  Pic: Larry Cummins

Very seldom could I say that the lyrics of Richie Kavanagh truly speak to me.

However, in the little ditty “Aon Focal Eile”, Richie sings: “aon focal, dhá focal, tú, focal eile, and I not knowing no focal at all” and unfortunately that’s where I am, or so I thought.