My parents don’t have Irish but always had an appreciation and respect for Irish culture. NUIG is a bilingual university and that connection with the Gaeltacht, which is on the doorstep, is invaluable. The persistent negativity and the automatic dismissal of Irish and Irish speakers’ rights can be exhausting, and especially disappointing when it comes from your own fellow citizens. I would encourage anyone to study through Irish. We should remember that Irish is an official language of the EU, and now that the UK is leaving, the Irish have to be prepared to become more “European”.

Source: The Irish Times March 05, 2018 16:30 UTC