Readers' blog: Gaeilge - Níl sé marbh fós ach...

Dingle, An Daingean or Daingean Uí Chúis, is cuma, or call it what you will, but a recent trip left my wife and I disappointed as we discovered that few if anybody there speaks as Gaeilge.

Readers' blog: Gaeilge - Níl sé marbh fós ach...

Dingle, An Daingean or Daingean Uí Chúis, is cuma, or call it what you will, but a recent trip left my wife and I disappointed as we discovered that few if anybody there speaks as Gaeilge.

We naively expected that, being in a Gaeltacht, Irish would be spoken widely.

However, we were met blank faces by hotel receptionists. Equally, later, to our amazement in the dining room and in the bar, none of the Irish managers or staff had even a “cúpla focal”.

All menus and notifications on display were in English only.

The next day we ventured into the town expecting to engage fully as Gaeilge. But sadly nothing doing, we again met blank stares.

Nobody seemed embarrassed or apologetic, despite the town being festooned with business and street names as well as all directional signs in Irish.

Later in frustration, we headed for Dún Chaoin and Ballyferriter and stopped off at Kruger’s famous pub and had a wonderful conversation as Gaeilge with both ladies working there, one a grand-niece of Kruger himself.

It is sad to admit, however, if Dingle represents the current state of its revival, then our beautiful native language is truly in its death throes.

Equally, isn’t it shameful, given the vast amount of funds spent in the area by governments over the years to promote the language?

John Leahy,

Wilton Road,

Cork

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