Why Don’t The Irish Speak Irish?

The Danes have Danish, the French speak French, the Slovakians talk in Slovak yet the Irish don’t speak Irish, but rather English. Almost all nations and people have their own language yet the Irish are one of the few nations who have a language that very few of its people can speak. Ireland is one of the only countries in Europe whose primary language is that of a foreign country. In fact, more people in Ireland speak Polish on a daily basis than Irish (and French is close behind). When I’m abroad I’m often asked if there even is an Irish language or if anyone still speaks it. Someone who only spoke Irish would have a very difficult time getting … Continue reading “Why Don’t The Irish Speak Irish?”

August 20, 2015PoliticsDecline, Education, Gaeilge, History, Ireland, Irish, Irish History, Irish Language, Language Leave a comment

Was The Irish Famine Genocide?

Some people claim that the Great Famine was an act of genocide committed by the British Empire against the Irish people. This theory is most popular among Irish-Americans (who strangely enough are more nationalist than people from Ireland) and on the internet, though it has little if any credence in Ireland. It has been booted out of conspiracy theory land after one of the most respected Irish historians; Tim Pat Coogan supported the allegation in his new book, The Famine Plot. The Great Famine (or Great Hunger as it is also known) was the most cataclysmic event in Irish history. Sparked by the failure of the potato crop (due to blight) it led to roughly one million deaths and roughly … Continue reading “Was The Irish Famine Genocide?”

March 5, 2013PoliticsBooks, Britain, Famine, Genocide, Great Famine, History, Ireland, Irish Famine, Irish History, Irish Politics, Politics, The Famine Plot, Tim Pat Coogan Leave a comment

Irish Soviets 1919-23

Workers throwing out the boss, hoisting a red flag and proclaiming a Soviet are not something that you would normally associate with Irish history. That sort of stuff is normally presumed to have happened in Europe but not Ireland. Most history books describe all Irish people as being united with the sole aim of driving the British out. Yet Ireland was caught in a wave of Socialism similar to that in Italy and France. During the War of Independence over 100 Soviets were set up in Ireland. Although it is now forgotten, many thought Bolshevism was a greater threat to British rule than Sinn Fein. All across Europe there were strikes and revolutions. The mass slaughter of the First World … Continue reading “Irish Soviets 1919-23”

October 8, 2012PoliticsBruree, Creameries, Economics, History, IRA, Ireland, Irish History, Irish Politics, Knocklong, Munster, Politics, Red Flag, Revolution, Soviet, War of Independence, Workers Occupation, Working Class Leave a comment