Irish language groups should look at GAA

The Irish language protests in Connemara last weekend were a damp squib.

Irish language groups, such as Conradh na Gaeilge, contend the Irish-speaking community is angry at its “second-class status” and the State is to blame because there are not enough handouts.

Conradh na Gaeilge was founded in 1893 and in 2012, taxpayers provided almost €45m to directly support the Irish language, Gaeltacht and islands. The language is not growing, despite a 20-year Government target adopted in 2010 to increase daily usage from 83,000 to 250,000 persons. We are even told the day is nearing when the last of the native Irish speakers is born.

The GAA was founded in 1884 and in 2012 slightly over €3m of the €52.7m total revenue earned by the Association was accounted for by State funding, an outcome achieved after attracting 1,360,070 supporters to inter-county football and hurling championship games. More than 300 of the 2,550 clubs affiliated to the GAA are international clubs.

So, one expression of Gaelic culture that has been nurtured for over a century is thriving and the other, also nurtured for over a century, is withering. The protestors need to analyse why Irish language advocates are failing so badly to achieve their objectives in evangelising the language, while the GAA goes from strength to strength, with minimal State involvement?

Myles Duffy

Bellevue Avenue

Glenageary

Co Dublin