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.