‍ ‍

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in a small city next to Barcelona, in Catalonia.

‍ ‍

What brought you to Ireland?

I had visited Ireland before and really enjoyed the experience, so when it came time to choose a master's programme, it was one of the first places I considered. Before applying, I was involved in an Erasmus+ project that brought together Catalan and Irish language activists to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in language revitalisation. Through this project, I became increasingly interested in the Irish language and its revitalisation efforts, particularly in comparison with those aimed at preserving and promoting Catalan.

You chose University College Dublin for your master's degree—why?

The School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRE) offered a wide range of master options, as well as the choice between a thesis and an internship. UCD is a well-regarded university, and besides offering Irish classes, it gave me the opportunity to find an internship in an organisation related to the Irish language.

Why did you choose Dublin City Council for the internship?

I had met Gaeilge365's (CCBAC's Irish promotion organism) coordinators through the Erasmus+ project and contacted them to see if I could intern with them. I had previous experience in language rights NGOs. During my undergrad I had interned for Plataforma per la Llengua, the biggest language NGO in Europe and the main promoter of the Catalan language. Right after graduation I interned for the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN), an umbrella organisation that promotes the collaboration between communities such as Catalonia and Ireland. I was very interested in working for the Irish language to learn about the work being done and have a chance to use the language in day-to-day life.

‍

During your internship, you are spending some of your time with Gaeilge 365; could you give us an insight into your workday with them?

Working days with Gaeilge365 are always different. Since they are an innovative unit that uses creativity when promoting the Irish language, there are always different projects going on and interesting conversations to be had. As part of my internship, I am developing a language coaching programme that pairs fluent speakers and learners of the Council to increase the confidence of Irish speakers and promote bilingualism in the workplace.

‍ ‍

What activity did you enjoy the most while you were here?

One of the highlights of the programme was a research trip to Cardiff with a group of Irish-speaking teachers. During the visit, we had the opportunity to see first-hand the impressive work being done to promote and preserve the Welsh language. Learning about the goal of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050 and seeing the initiatives supporting that vision was incredibly inspiring. We all left Cardiff feeling motivated to reflect on how some of what we had learned could be applied in the Irish context.

Why did you decide to start learning Irish?

As a native speaker of Catalan, I am always fascinated when I see foreigners learning and using the language. I see it as a sign of respect for the country that welcomes you, so I had no doubt that I wanted to do the same in Ireland. Not long after starting the UCD courses, I fell in love with the language and really started to enjoy learning. Ireland has such a rich history and culture, and I think it can only truly be seen and understood through the language.

‍ ‍

Tell us about your journey learning Irish?

Over the years, I have studied several languages, including German at school, Russian at university, and French in my own time. While each of them presented its own challenges, Irish was unlike anything I had encountered before. In the past, I had often been able to use my knowledge of other languages when learning a new one, but with Irish I had no clear point of reference.

The course I was taking was excellent, but when I was offered the opportunity to complete the internship and realised I would need to really improve my Irish within a matter of months, I took a more autonomous approach to learning. I used Duolingo as a foundation, used the internet when I had any questions, and looked for guidance from my teacher when I needed help understanding more complex aspects of the language.

I was also fortunate to have a close friend who was an Irish speaker: a Canadian who had learned Irish at a Canadian university. We held a weekly conversation session, which helped me build confidence in speaking and gave me valuable opportunities to practise the language in a supportive environment.

What challenges do you see for the Irish language learner?

Nowadays, there are enough resources to learn any language. In my experience, the internet was essential for my learning, not only to solve doubts but to follow Irish-speaking accounts on social media and find content to read and practice. Nonetheless, what I found extremely difficult was to find opportunities to use the language in real life. While there are plenty of Irish speakers in Dublin the language is almost invisible around the city, and I never felt comfortable enough to use it in public spaces. In the end, I relied on the couple of people that I knew had some knowledge in Irish. Since starting the internship, I have discovered a variety of spaces where one can use the language through BÁC le Gaeilge and Scéal.ie.

Why do you think it's important for non-Irish people to learn Irish?

I have heard people say that using Irish is discriminating towards foreigners. But what I think is discriminating is denying us the opportunity to learn it. Not only is Irish incredibly valuable and rewarding, but a sign of respect for the country that has welcomed you.

In my experience, it has also provided me with unique opportunities that are defining my career path, such as the internship at Gaeilge365 and my involvement in several Irish-language projects.

‍ ‍

As an Irish language learner in Dublin, do you think it is easy to meet other Irish speakers on a daily basis outside the workplace?

I think it depends on your personal circle, but in general, yes. While now I am surrounded by Irish speakers, before the internship I struggled to find spaces to use the language, either because I knew few people who spoke it or because it felt intimidating to use it in public spaces without knowing if they would be able to understand me.

Did you visit any of the Gaeltacht areas while you were here?

I didn’t get the chance! I have heard great things about them, and I would love to experience a fully Irish-speaking environment.

What advice would you give to someone from abroad who is thinking about learning Irish for the first time?

Don’t hesitate! While it may seem overwhelming at first, you’ll be soon fascinated by the culture and history within it. The meanings of places and names, its way of thinking, its incredible vocabulary, will all make you fall in love with the language.

Learning Irish can only benefit you. It will open doors that you never expected and allow you to meet people that will connect you to the language forever.