I've been looking for places to study Irish for about a year now, but I'm pretty unsuccessful with teaching myself, especially on line. I'm not sure where or how to begin so if anyone could offer me help, advice, or more information, I would be forever grateful.

Le buíochas,

A Bhranwyn, a chara,

Maith thú! Congratulations on your choice of language, and may I take this opportunity to welcome you to the flight deck! Please keep your arms and legs indside the language at all times... your exits are....hang on, where are the exits?

You will find the people here at 'Daltaí na Gaeilge' more than helpful to learners, and excellent guides to the language. If you reside in the U.S., you really should try to avail yourself of one of their immersion schools or courses.

In terms of teaching yourself [the great and never-ending task], stick to it... I've been taking that approach myself (through necessity) and I feel like I've made real progress. There are many great resources out there, and one that I would like to recommend is almost brand-new. A collaboration between the Irish Linguistics Institute and Gael-Linn, it is a book for adult learners inside Ireland and abroad. It is called "Gaeilge agus Fáilte" and costs 23 Euros (whatever that may be in yer local dineros. Check the post a ways back down the list called "Cúrsa Nua / New Irish Course".... or look at their website.... www.ite.ie/gf/


Ádh mór ort (Good luck to you!)

Mise le meas,
Creag 'Fintan' Batty

A Bhranwyn, a chara,

I must concur with Fintan. He is FAR more accomplished than I and I am suprised to find that he is largely self taught! I am a beginner, like you, and am self teaching. I have used a wonderful book by Michael O'Shiadhal called "Learning Irish." It's fairly academic in its approach but the tapes and dialogues are quite helpful. I've also used Buntus Cainte but there's not much, (actually, there isn't ANY) academic info there. It's just rote memorization, but, again---the tapes are helpful.

I am very excited about the Gaeilge Agus Failte book. I am having a local book store order it for me and can't wait for it to arrive.

Stick with your self teach method. In the long run you'll probably gain a better understanding than if the language was spoon fed in a class room. This web site is INVALUABLE!! Fintan, Seosamh, Colm, Aonghus--all are more than ready to tackle your most difficult and rediculous questions. (I know because I've asked my fair share of the former and not nearly enough of the other!)_

Adh mor ort.

Le meas,

Jaems

A Bhranwyn, a chara,
I found the tape/booklet Bunghaeilge do Thuismitheorí/Basic Irish for Parents to be helpful. It's filled with useful phrases for conversational Irish, and is presented very clearly. I saw it at Kennys Bookshop in Galway not too long ago: you could probably order it from them. And once you've got some good weather vocab, visit the RTE Nuacht website: they have a nice little weather forecast updated daily.
Adh mór, Paul

Hello,

How do I actually join this list. I'm another very beginner learner; actually haven't started yet! Can't wait!! This is the language of my heritage, I'm proud to say.

Lanie

Lanie,

Tá fáilte romhat anseo.

If you want to be on Daltaí's e-mail list, just click on "Main" (see the menu to the left). That list is for receiving information on Daltaí events, like Gaeltacht weekends in the U.S.

The interaction here takes place right here in the discussion forums. Just post messages, including any questions you have, as you did above.

What materials are you using to learn Irish? Do you have a class with a teacher?

Don't forget to make use of the lessons here on the Daltaí website.

Ádh mór. Seosamh