Colin Sheridan: Irish language is back from the brink and shining on centre stage

Latin died because it behaved. Irish lives because it rebels

Supporters of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, aka Mo Chara, a member of the band Kneecap, wait with placards flags outside Westminster Magistrates Court in London where he is charged with a terrorism offence relating to displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah during a performance with the band in November 2024. Picture: AP

It's 14 years since Britain's Queen Elizabeth II rose to her feet in Dublin Castle and uttered the words “A Uachtaráin, agus a chairde.” To some, like then president Mary MacAleese, it was an incredible Wow moment. An act of reconciliation. To me, it was patronising and tokenistic. Much less an acknowledgement of our language and culture, much more a reassertion of an old order.

Conversely, the criminal case against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh — rapper, provocateur, and professional wielder of the fada — may be the most profound thing to happen to the Irish language since Peig got weaponised as a torture device. Forget Gaeltacht grants, forget TG4 documentaries about lads fixing fences on Inis Oir; this trial is what’s finally pushing Irish into the bloodstream of a generation.