Im looking for a teacher in the
St Louis area but am having no luck
finding one could anyone point me to
someone or possibly a credible resource
so I could throw in my best attempt
to teach myself
please someone help an Irishman looking
to chase his heritage

Hi J,

Irf you don't find a teacher you could ahve a go at an online beginners course. There's one provided by the BBC which has got great reviews from other learners I've recommended it to.
Here's the link.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/blas/learners/index.shtml

Also, there's a page full of learners resources here.

http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gaeilge/foghlam/

Anyway, if you have any problems at all, place a post on here, you won't be lost.

Slán agus ádh mór,

Oliver.

A Chara,

There are any number of self teach resources available from your local bookstore. Whichever one you go with, get the tapes that go with it. REPEAT---GET THE TAPES!!! You will NEVER make sense out of the spelling without the tapes--don't even begin to think that you will--it just can't be done!

These are the ones that I've found most useful (in order) and I would recommend either of them to a beginning self teaching student.

Learing Irish by Micheal O Siadhal

Teach Yourself Irish --can't remember who the author(s) is (are).

Gaeilge Agus Failte -- tough time getting it without calling Ireland directly. You can find out more on this one at www.ite.ie/discus/

Take your pick and jump in, my friend! It's a wild and tortuous ride but you'll love to hate every syllable of this language. This site is, as far as I'm concerned, THE site for info. You get fast turnaround on your questions, good support from the native speakers and the professional instructors--it's kind of a "one stop shop" for all your Irish language needs!

Le meas,

James