Clare Irish Language Enthusiast Says State's "Archaic" Approach Leading To Youth's Disinterest

Clare FM

A Clare Irish language enthusiast blames what he calls the State's "archaic" approach to teaching the language for young people's lack of interest in it. The comments come as a new report has found one third of teenagers would like to see Irish removed as a compulsory subject in second-level education. Marking the 20th anniversary of the the Ombudsman for Children's Office, the OCO has conducted a new survey called 'Tomorrow Starts With Us" in collaboration with Amárach Research. The survey sought the opinions of over 1,000 12 to 18 year-olds on topics such as education, bullying, racism and discrimination, mental health in schools, online safety, accessibility, public transport, the student voice and how Ireland rates as a country for young people. The findings of the survey are predictably broad - with 47% saying they've experienced bullying at some stage and 36% saying they've experienced discrimination - while 71% said Ireland is a good country to reach their full potential in and 62% rated the education system as good or very good. When it came to the finer points of the education system however, 33% said they'd like to see Irish become a choice subject and 15% said they think changes are needed in the approach taken to teaching the language. Ennis-based Irish language enthusiast and presenter of Clare FM's Chúl Chaint Dónal Ó Loinsigh believes the Department of Education urgently needs to overhaul the way in which Irish is taught. Statistics would suggest Clare's chuid Ghaeilge is stronger than most counties' - with the most recent Census indicating the Banner has the second-highest proportion of Irish speakers nationwide at 47%. According to Census figures, there are 54,437 Irish speakers in Clare which is up 3% on 2016. Ardnacrusha Fianna Fáil Councillor Rachel Hartigan - who attended an Irish language secondary school - says an immersion approach should be taken to teaching Irish in the classroom.