Spotlight on Careers: Eoin McEvoy

This month, we shone the spotlight on the Education Sector and spoke to Eoin MacEvoy, Educational Technologist, School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore, University College Dublin.

What are your main responsibilities in your role as an Educational Technologist?

The role is very diverse one, for which I am extremely grateful. I work with lecturers to provide them with assistance in the use of technology to facilitate learning and teaching. I also teach and provide courses related to creative writing, translation and general language skills.

Do you derive personal satisfaction from the work you do?

It is very important to me to be in position do my work through the medium of Irish and it gives me great satisfaction to interact with the students in the classroom as well, especially on the creative writing course. I love discussing their ideas with them and seeing their creativity. The university is also a great place to work and the place is very lively when the students around.

What prompted you to opt for a professional life through Irish?

 I did an MA in Writing and Communications at UCD ten years ago and I was encouraged by my tutors to apply for Fulbright. It was then, while I was in Philadelphia teaching Irish at Villanova University, that I realised that I wanted to work with the Irish language professionally in the future.

Did you notice any differences between third-level students in this country and American students while you were at Villanova University?

It seemed to me that the young Americans were more forthcoming in expressing their opinions and speaking front of others than the students I meet here in Ireland. The students at Villanova were never hesitant about sharing their world views or asking me questions! I enjoyed talking to them very much.

From your experience of life in America now, would you like to live there long-term? Why?

I really wouldn’t, thank you for asking! I met some lovely people while I was there and the people who most inspired me to pursue art seriously were Americans (apart from Ciara Ní É) but, even so, European life suits me much better and, in the long term, I would prefer to live in Ireland. If anyone would like to buy me a house here, I would be exceedingly grateful.

When you lived in Europe you founded a branch of Conradh na Gaeilge in Berlin. What inspired you to do that?

I missed Irish while I was there! I had a great time in Berlin and learned a lot about myself, about Germany, about Turkish art and culture (due to the significant Turkish community in Berlin) but I felt a void in my life until I managed to surround myself with a community of Irish speakers. That branch is still in existence now 14 years later and I have great respect for what the group has achieved since I left Germany.

You are extremely talented! Your translation of the graphic novel in the series, ‘Heartstopper’, by Alice Oseman was shortlisted for an award, Gradam de Bladraithe, in 2024. What are the biggest challenges when translating a graphic novel into Irish from another language?

I love working with Heartstopper. The second book is now out in Irish too and I am very proud of that. The biggest challenge in both translations, without a doubt, was the speech bubbles as the sentence in Irish is usually longer than the English sentence. This meant I had to work very intensely with the talented editor Róisín Adams to come up with shorter versions of everything so that the Irish text wouldn’t burst out past the edges of the speech bubbles. Getting the translation done was a very enjoyable process and I am grateful to Futa Fata for giving me the opportunity to translate these lovely books, especially for the LGBTQIA+community.

Speaking of LGBTQIA+, AerachAiteachGaelach is going from strength to strength every year and you were one of the founding members. Tell us more about  AerachAiteachGaelach and any events you have in the pipeline.

We are very busy! We are just recovering from our fabulous, fun-filled Bál Aiteach (Queer Ball for Irish speakers) at the PRIDE festival but our monthly set dancing classes and creative writing sessions in Dublin are still going on. A group of us will be going to watch the Queer Films in GAZE on Monday, 4th August 2025, when short Irish films by members of AerachAiteachGaelach and others will be screened.  We are also preparing for the Cape Clear LADTA+ Summer Camp which will begin on 11th August 2025 and end the following Saturday, 16 August 2025, with BRÓD Chléire (Cape Clear PRIDE festival).

We will be holding a performing arts workshop on Lúibíní (Witty rhyming dialogue in song form) in conjunction with An tOireachtas in Galway on 27 September 2025 and everyone is welcome to come and learn the craft with us there.  We will also hold an evening of Storytelling in the Museum of Literature Ireland on 1 December 2025. These are some of the events but a more comprehensive listing is available at https://www.aerachaiteachgaelach.net/feilire

You are immersed in the creative arts - as a poet, writer, actor and translator to name just a few of your many talents. Do you have a special affinity for any particular art form?

It depends on the day and the mood I'm in, I guess.  I enjoy music very much and I've recently started taking part in a traditional music session with Na Gaeil Aeracha. But my heart lies with languages and I love how the world can be imagined, reimagined and created through language-based artforms: song, prose, poetry and drama.  I am drawn towards poetry when I want to direct and express my thoughts, and I lean towards drama when I want to process and develop my thoughts. There is a creative freedom and endless possibilities associated with the craft of drama that I don't associate with other artforms, and drama can bring together many types of art. I love it for that alone.

How do you summon the confidence to perform in front of a crowd of people?

Would you believe that I still get very nervous in front of a crowd despite having experience of teaching in front of classes in the university and having acting experience. What helps me overcome the nervousness and power through anyway is feeling the support of others. Art and entertainment is a very necessary part of life and artists must be willing to share their art with the community. Breathing exercises really help with the anxiety when you are about to go on stage.

Would you have any advice for people who are fearful or reluctant to attend events through Irish?

The Irish language community is a very welcoming and diverse community and you will be made welcome.  The first few events can definitely be challenging if you don't know anyone but you will very quickly meet other great people. It will greatly enhance your life to be involved in the Irish speaking community so don't let the opportunity pass you by.

You have attended events organised by Gréasán Gaeilge na hEarnála Poiblí and we would love to hear your thoughts on events to date. Would you recommend that other people working in the public sector register with Gréasán Gaeilge? Why?

I had a brilliant time at the Gréasán Birthday Party this July! I met lots of engaging people that I knew from different organizations and I was introduced to some friendly new people as well. The sleight of hand instruction given by the Fanzini Brothers was unexpected and really enjoyable even though I wasn't very good at it!

And finally, the great question of our time: Out of all the glorious rules of Irish grammar – which one is your personal favourite?

Such a question! I like the relative clause. It is difficult to master the rules associated with it at first but it is well worth getting used to them because the relative clause enables one to use more complex and meaningful sentences.

Thank you very much for spending time with us, Eoin. We look forward to meeting you at the next Gréasán Gaeilge na hEarnála Poiblí events.