Surprise: Gaelic isn't the Irish language

What do you call the Irish language? Here's a clue. It's not Gaelic or Irish. 

Whilst folk in the UK may realise there is an Irish language, they may not realise there's also a Scotish one. In fact there are more than one. Gaelic is the collective term for languages and dialects spoken by the Gaels and Celtic highlanders in Scotland, but also by Celts in Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Scottish highlands.

The Irish form of Gaelic, or Gaeilge as it's referred to in the Irish language, is closely aligned to the Celt language spoken in the western highlands of Scotland. What is more commonly known as Scots Gaelic is the spoken elsewhere in Scotland. The languages are similar, but have diverged and diversified over the centuries into their own distinct dialect. 

To confuse matters even further, Welsh isn't considered a Celtic language despite the Welsh being Celts. Welsh is closely related to Breton. In fact most Welsh speakers wouldn't be able to understand a native Gaeilge speaker, and vice-versa.

These two forms of Gaelic are distinct and different, belonging to different sub-groups of the Gaelic tongue. Today there are six distinct Gaelic languages:

• Breton: Spoken mainly is parts of north western France (Normandy & Brittany).
• Irish: This is still the first language of islanders on some of the remotest parts of the country, and is compulsorily taught in all government funder schools.
• Manx: Spoken in the Isle of Man.
• Scots Gaelic: Not to be confused with Glasgow slang at closing time, this is still spoken in some communities.
• Cornish: Closely related to Breton, you can still find it spoken among locals.
• Welsh: Although similar in some ways to Cornish, it is quite different in others. Their closeness geographically belies their differences.

So don't make the mistake and think Gaelic is all the same. Just like how the UK can call a bread roll a roll, cob, pan, or bap, language and dialects change depending on where you are. Don't take a language for granted. Just remember it is a living thing that changes with the seasons.

Hurling - the sport of kings

Most countries have a sport they've developed into a form of legalised warware. America has American Football, Canada has Ice Hockey, and Thailand has Kick Boxing. Ireland is no different, but as Irish their sport of choice takes things just that little bit further. That sport is Hurling.

Hurling is basically what happens when hockey, lacrosse, and medieval warfare have a love child. Played with a flat wooden stick (hurley) and a rock-hard ball (sliotar), it involves grown adults sprinting across a field, whacking the ball (and occasionally each other) with alarming enthusiasm. The goal? To score points and avoid being turned into a human piñata. It’s fast, chaotic, and just dangerous enough to make you question the players’ life choices.

What is most astonishing about Hurling is that the players aren't paid. Hurling like other Gaelic sports is administered by the GAA (Gaelic Athletics Association). The GAA promotes amateur Gaelic sports, music, dance, and the Irish language. With its roots in Irish nationalism, the GAA's rules forbid use of their grounds for non-GAA sports. Such socialist ideals is what's behind the non-professional stance of Hurling.

Players can claim expenses for travel, and can earn money from product endorsements, but that's it. Will the GAA ever allow professional is the sports they control? I don't think so. The idea of amateur sport is deeply embedded.

Anyway back to the game of Hurling. It's fast, energetic, and very entertaining. Sometimes referred to as the fastest team sport in the world, it likely to have you hooked from the first time you see a game. Try it out. Trust me. You won't regret it.

There once was a hurler named Shay,
Who swung his old stick every day.
With a sliotar in flight,
He gave it a might,
And it still hasn’t landed, they say.

Mary Kielty's Late Late Show eulogy

Every Irish man and women around the world knows that the Late Late Show is a broadcasting institution. Not only is it the world's longest running live talk show, it consistently has TV audiences of 650,000. That's 28% of the Irish TV audience. It's never been afraid to court controversy as it's Wikipedia page outlines. The show is Ireland, and the controversy's perfectly frame the religious versus the increasingly secular Ireland of the last 50 years.

It's presenters are household names among the Irish diaspora. Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny, Ryan Tubridy, and since 2023 Patrick Kielty. Patrick is the first presenter to come from north of the border, something that cements the notion of Irishness and the 32 counties. The fact that Kielty's home of Co. Down is technically not part of Ireland is lost on the show's audience. To them he is as Irish as Guinness, Shamrock, and the Blarney stone. I was going to say Saint Patrick, but his lineage is a discussion for another day!

Patrick is better known as a comedian who found fame making fun out of what became known as "the troubles" in Northern Ireland. That's a difficult gig, but made especially difficult when you realise his Father was killed by the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) in 1988. His father's assassination deeply affected Patrick, yet didn't stop him poking fun at the status quo. Ireland has a healthy disrespect for the establishment, which helps deliver lots of satirical material if you've brave enough to do so.

Last week it was announced that Patrick's mother Mary had died. Yet Patrick went ahead and hosted the show after his Mother's funeral. Anyone who's lost a parent knows, getting back to normal life after a bereavement is difficult yet Patrick carried off with aplomb. Clearly emotional, he opened the Late Late Show with the following eulogy to his Mother.+

"I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took care of her and our family this week. My mum watched this show religiously, and she loved it so much she still kept watching even after I got the gig. In over 50 years, Mary never missed a show, and there was no way she'd want me to miss this one. So, I couldn't be prouder to stand here and say, 'This one's for you, Mary'. Welcome to The Late Late Show."

Mary, wherever you're watching from, congratulations on producing such a fine, upstanding son. He's a credit to you, your husband John, and the Irish nation.

The craic of an Irish parkrun

I've enjoyed exercising all my life. Not even getting up early on a cold Saturday morning can put me off. OK sometimes it does, but the endorphin rush you get when you finish is worth it. That is one reason why I parkrun.

Parkrun is a five kilometer run organised by a local volunteers in many  countries around the world. Started in London in 2024, it has become a regular sight in parks, trails, and promenades on a Saturday morning. There are no prizes for speed. It's for all abilities. You can even walk if you want. It's just a community of likeminded folk getting out of bed for some exercise.

I don't participate every week, as life has a habit of getting in the way. I run when I can, but it has become such an enjoyable pastime that I've even participated in parkruns whilst travelling. If I'm away to watch a football game, I'll see if there's a local parkrun before the game. Away with the family, and maybe there's an event I can go to.

On one of my visits home I attended Shanganagh parkrun in the foothills of the Wicklow mountains. The beautiful scenery was sufficient to distract me from the bitterly cold wind. So was the warm welcome and flat course. There was even a banana on offer to runners from some local political activists at the finish after my vote. There was a general election in Ireland a week after you see.

Parkrun in Ireland has really taken off. In fact it is the most popular place to parkrun according to the state broadcaster with:

• 9% of the population registered to take part.
• 143 parkrun events in total including 42 for younger runners.
• 500,000+ finishes in 2024.

That's quite something. 

Ireland's 2025 Eurovision entry

Ireland has a long and successful Eurovision history going all the way back to Dana's 1970 song "All kinds of everything". Eurovision was very different back then of course. This positive, sweet song about (presumably heterosexual) love fitted the Eurovision bill perfectly and stormed to success, even being covered by Sinéad O'Connor.

How Eurovison has changed though. One contestant for Ireland's Eurovision entry on the Late Late Show described Eurovision as the "Gay Olympics". Indeed at least three of the six contestants were from the LGBT+ community. Plus Ireland's 2024 winner Bambi Thug is as far away from Dana's clean cut image as it is possible to be. She's non-binary, is covered in tattoos, and has a history of drug taking. She's divided opinion, yet remains a very popular act to this day.

Norwegian singer EMMY

Talking of dividing opinions, the choice of EMMY to represent Ireland did that to a degree. Her song Laika Party was definitely catchy. It's a good dance anthem with a strong up tempo rhythm and good vocal. The lyrics reimagine the life of a dog sent up to space by the Russians in 1957 who to this day is alive and partying as it revolves around our galaxy. A positive spin to a sad story about a dog. It should be met well by the Eurovision community. 

The song and group has a fun edge to them as well. I'm not sure what spelling their name in capitals is trying to say, but EMMY's choice of song title has a definite young and funky edge. For "Laika", read "Like a". Geddit? But what really set them aside from the other contestants was the song's performance. Flanked by two dancers flanked is silver shell suits, you could be forgiven for missing the singer's brother standing at the back playing a keyboard. His deadpan look and robotic choreography was a nod to Germany's Kraftwerk, and went down a storm.

As for any controversy, there wasn't much on the night. EMMY were one of two stand out songs and were always likely to be a strong contender. The expert panels may have thought Samantha Mamba's "My Way" was a stronger entry, and the public vote won out. As for Emmy themselves, they're entry makes we wonder about the entry criteria for acts. As Norwegians, should they really be allowed to sing for Ireland? Well rules are rules, and they're not the first non-native to represent a country. Besides Dana was from Derry which technically at least isn't Ireland.

Has EMMY a chance of winning? That's hard to say without hearing the other entries. Being Norwegian may count against them, but the song is a banger and it's on-stage performance was right up there with the great Eurovision performances of the past. Perhaps it doesn't have the shock value of Finland's Lordi, but I'd be disappointed if it didn't do well. Whilst I'm not a massive Eurovision fan, I be routing for EMMY in May.

What nationality am I?

I've been thinking a lot about my nationality, and how I identify myself to others. I'm in a strange situation where I was born in Ireland to Irish parents, have an Irish passport, but have lived in England for the vast majority of my life. I speak with an English accent, although I can slide into a slight Celtic brogue when visiting the homeland. I'm educated in the English system, yet have taught myself about my country's recent history and formation.

The importance of identity

We all like to belong to something. It makes us feel protected. What we belong to depends on your view. I spoke to someone once who was half English and half Indian. He was born in Malaysia, went to school in Manila, Hong Kong, and Singapore, worked in Australia and London, and was married to his French Algerian wife. When I asked him what he identified with, he looked at me a bit confused. After a few moments thought he said, "Well, I live in south London and support Chelsea FC."

That's a pretty extreme case, but it perfectly highlights why some people don't identify with one thing. We all like to place people into neat categories, but sometimes that just isn't possible.

Why it important to be...?

In short, it isn't, but that's a shame. In England most people would struggle to say when St.George's Day was, but would have no trouble telling you about St.Andrew's, St.David's, or St.Patrick's Day was. They may identify as English, but could equally identify as a Yorkshireman or Londoner.

What's more, if you asked them what it means to be English, they'd think for a bit and say something like roast beef and yorkshire pudding lunches. Food references could even include such non-English delicacies as pizza, curry, and hamburgers.

How you identify as English depends on your background and experiences. As a former super power whose empire in the late 19th century held sway over 23% of the world's population, it's only natural that many British cities have a large ethic minorities. In London you can find one of the most eclectic and diverse food scenes in the world.

So who am I?

It is easy to say I'm more English than Irish. Speak to me for the first time, and you'd not think of me as anything else but a typical English man. I enjoy a life mixed with both English and Irish traditions, and feel all the better for it. 

Life is all about experiences, and if that includes learning from other cultures the world will be a better place for it. Ask me where I come from though, and you'll only get one answer. I remember where I've come from, my country's history, and what it had to do to identify as Irish. We forget that at our peril.

The role of traditional music in Irish life

Traditional Irish music is known and loved around the world. Tourists flock to Ireland to experience the magic of music sung and played in bars around the country. Traditional Irish music is a major export too, with musicians playing at music festivals around the globe. The Irish diaspora obviously plays a big part in that, but the popularity of traditional Irish music goes way beyond that. You'd expect it to be popular in the USA and Australia, but Germany and India?

Irish culture

Traditional music in Ireland is about our identity, experiences, and culture. It is who we are. It's been around since the dawn of man, with small groups of musicians signing to their family and friends at home. It underwent a resurgence in the late 19th century, with the rise in popularity of the Irish language and independence movement from Britain.

Today it's easy to find an Irish bar in just about any town or city around the world, many of which play Irish music of some type or other. Traditional music is intrinsically married to a pint and a group of friends enjoying the craic. Places like Dingle in Co. Clare are meccas for traditional music fans, and there are music festivals frequented by Irish musicians around the world.

Is our culture under threat?

Pubs and bars around the country play a big part in the life of a musician. It's easy to stumble across a bar in the evening just about anywhere in Ireland with music playing. If you're lucky it will be a small group in the corner just singing and playing songs in the same way they have been for hundreds of years. Locals and tourists alike sit and salivate in its foot tapping loveliness.

If the music is tied to pubs and bars, what happens if the number of bars available to play in are diminishing. Like other countries around the world, the hospitality sector has taken a massive hit since the Covid pandemic. Many are closing because they just can't make the numbers add up. Others are adapting the experience they offer by appealing to the lowest common denominator. You can't blame them for doing what is necessary for their business, but if it continues the opportunities to display who we are diminishes too. With that will we become less Irish?

Tradfest

This is why events like Tradfest is important. Now in its 20th year, Tradfest brings together the best Irish musicians from around the globe together for a week of magic. What is wonderful about it is that you're unlikely to hear names like Enya and Christie Moore. Great musicians they most certainly are, but Tradfest is about the less commercial folk. Yes the artists sell records and make a professional living from their craft, but they genuinely do it because they love it. It just so happens they're good enough to make money from it. Enya and Christie can do their own thing, and thank the almighty they do, but just like a small pub corner in Tuosist, Co. Kerry there's room for everyone.

The day that changed Ireland

On this day in 1921, a treaty was signed by representatives of Britain and the Irish parliament (Dáil Éireann) that would have ramifications to this day. A war of independence had been grinding its way to a stalemate between the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and British forces. Over three years, the violence escalated to a point where it became clear neither side was likely to win. Against this background talks took place to end the conflict.

The IRA's objective was to win independence from Britain. Britain on the other hand was recovering from a long conflict itself in Europe, and was beginning to see the demise of its empire. Much has been written about the peace talks and the politics at play, particularly about the role of the two main Irish figures, Michael Collins and Eamon de Valera. They didn't agree on a strategy for the talks, and the British exploited this.

The talks resulted in a proposal to grant independence to the 26 counties in the south of Ireland. The remaining six (Northern Ireland) would remain part of the United Kingdom. The population of those six counties was largely Protestant following >hundreds of years of emigration from Britain. The proposal didn't sit well with the IRA. They saw the six counties remaining as British as a betrayal of their objective. The problem was Britain was unwilling to grant independence to the whole of Ireland. It was a "take it or leave it' proposal.

Early in 1922 a fractious and emotional debate on the proposal resulted in a majority voting to ratify the treaty, passing it into law. The war of independence was over and most of Ireland had independence. The problem was Ireland went from one conflict to another, only this time between Irishman and Irishman. The Irish Civil War started.

Although the conflict was relatively short, the ramifications of it can be felt to this day. Those who fought are no longer with us, but Irish politics is still mired in it. The three main parties in Ireland are:

• Fianna Fail: Founded by Eamon de Velara after a split with Sinn Fein, it was opposed to the treaty.
• Fine Gael: Originated out of the independence struggle and the pro treaty members of the Dáil.
• Sinn Fein: The political wing of the IRA was founded in 1905 as part of the independence movement.

Some say there isn't a lot of difference politically these days between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. Both are centre right parties, but for many decades men and women voted for them based on which side of the treaty debate they agreed with. Recently, Sinn Fein has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in the 26 and 6 counties. As a socialist party, they've positioned themselves on the left of Irish politics. They pick up votes as a reaction to what people see as two parties arguing over just who's the more conservative.

With the six counties still part of the United Kingdom, and Sinn Fein unwilling to relinquish its claim for independence for the whole of Ireland, Irish politics looks likely to continue in the same vein for years to come. Let's hope any major change that comes the way of Ireland in peaceful.