Hello,

I would like to learn Irish, but I would prefer to have a teacher and go to classes. Since I don't think that is possible where I live (London) can anyone give me advice about teaching myself to about intermediate level (where I can improve by reading, radio, etc.)? Or, if anybody knows about classes for total beginners in London, please let me know!

I would also like to know where Irish is on translations of popular books. In Germany, France, etc. you can find the most popular books translated - is it the case with Irish. I know, for example that Harry Potter is out in Irish. What about others? What about "classics"?

Thanks.

There are classes for beginners at the Irish Centre, Hammersmith:

http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/irishcentre/education.htm

I also found this page on Google:

http://www.irishcentre.org/JELWeb_LI/JELWeb_LI/cache/offonce/pid/30

Hope this helps!

Ádh mór ort, a chara and if you have any questions the good people of Daltaí are always happy to help.

As far as self-teaching resources are concerned, there are few that can compare to "Learning Irish" by Micheál O Síadhal. The level of grammar detail is daunting but very thourough. My only criticism is that many key elements of grammar are mentioned in small print, parenthetically or in some other less than noticeable fashion. Of course, this makes you read more and think more....so, maybe there is a madness to his method!

Any questions you have regarding that text can be answered on this site. Just about everyone here has used it at one point in time or another...that is, except for the native speakers!