For most of recorded Irish history, Irish was the dominant language of the Irish people, who took it with them to other regions, such as Scotland and the Isle of Man, where Middle Irish gave rise to Scottish Gaelic and Manx. Ireland is a country of western Europe occupying five-sixths of the westernmost major island of the British Isles. The country is noted for a rich heritage of culture and tradition that was linked initially to the Irish language.

Understanding the Context

Its capital city is Dublin. The story of the Irish is an ambitious and ground-breaking documentary series which tells the story of the Irish from the very first inhabitants to the present day, tracing the ebb and flow of... Irish culture is vibrant, varied, and deeply rooted in the island’s history. It spans mythology, the Irish language, traditional music, art, literature, dance, and cuisine, shaped over centuries by influences from the Normans, Vikings, Scots, and English.

Key Insights

Let’s Learn Irish classes are the best way I have experienced in making this subtle, complex language come alive so that I can feel an improvement each week. I learn so much from the classes – words and their etymology, grammar and more. Irish is a Celtic language (as English is a Germanic language, French a Romance language, and so on). This means it is a member of the Celtic language family. Its “sister” languages are Scottish Gaelic and Manx (Isle of Man); its more distant “cousins” are Welsh, Breton, and Cornish.

Final Thoughts

What is Irish? | About | Irish Language Initiatives | University of ... Get Ireland news, business, politics, sport, lifestyle, culture, podcasts, video and more from The Irish Times, the definitive brand of award-winning, in-depth journalism.