No support for Irish language volunteers

I AM always watching your letters page for comments on the rise and fall of the Irish language movement, and I laud Daithí Kimber’s efforts at promoting the cúpla focal (July 30).

His group’s ‘One-stop Shop na Gaeilge’ in Waterford is a great way to entice visitors and locals to use the native tongue.

What a disappointment for them to be halted in their endeavours to create a friendly, inviting atmosphere in which Irish could be used both by learners and more fluent speakers.

The Waterford group has the advantage of being reasonably close to a Gaeltacht and their one-stop shop idea could really catch on, but it was sad to read they can expect no help from Foras na Gaeilge which seems blind to the vital need to nurture the weak roots of the language and spill a ‘píosa beag Gaeilge’ back out on the streets and into everyday conversation.

I have worked tirelessly to keep Irish barely alive in my English-speaking locality but, sadly, I have relaxed in my voluntary (non-funded) plans to gather a ‘ciorcal cainte’ and write an Irish column for a local weekly paper.

There is no encouragement or assistance, financial or otherwise, for me or other small rural groups genuinely working every angle possible to fight off the gradual fading of the most precious jewel in old Ireland’s treasure chest. Tacaíocht beag leath na hoibre.

Eilís Uí Bhriain

Dubhros

Caisleán Uí Liatháin

Co Chorcaí