Derek Hollingsworth
@derekholly7.bsky.social
| Psychology | Postcolonialism | Reclaiming my language | Co-founder 7 Cathaoirleach Pobal Gaeilge 15 | #GaeilgeGachLá #100DaysofGaeilge
Irishlanguagematters.com
Irishlanguagematters.com
Pinned
Dubliners,
Are you looking for Irish classes where time & cost aren't an issue?
Try ours!
These start NEXT MONDAY - not Tuesday as per pic. Had to change the night.
Email [email protected]
Bígí linn! #Gaeilge #IrishLanguage
Please share!!!
Are you looking for Irish classes where time & cost aren't an issue?
Try ours!
These start NEXT MONDAY - not Tuesday as per pic. Had to change the night.
Email [email protected]
Bígí linn! #Gaeilge #IrishLanguage
Please share!!!
Oíche deireanach do Michael D. Higgins mar Uachtarán na hÉireann anocht. Bhí mé ag labhairt lena iar-bhearbóir ansin. Dúirt sé go nglacfadh sé a áit sa scuaine i gcónaí, agus go raibh sé béasach agus cairdiúil.
Go raibh maith agaibh Michael, Sabina agus na madraí
Go raibh maith agaibh Michael, Sabina agus na madraí
November 10, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Oíche deireanach do Michael D. Higgins mar Uachtarán na hÉireann anocht. Bhí mé ag labhairt lena iar-bhearbóir ansin. Dúirt sé go nglacfadh sé a áit sa scuaine i gcónaí, agus go raibh sé béasach agus cairdiúil.
Go raibh maith agaibh Michael, Sabina agus na madraí
Go raibh maith agaibh Michael, Sabina agus na madraí
Sanasaíocht na Gaeilge.
Etymology of Irish words.
Gráinneog - Hedgehog
Gráin - hatred/hated
Gránna - ugly
Óg - little
Gráinneog - cosúil le rud beag gránna
Hedgehog in Irish literally means "ugly/hated little thing"!
Etymology of Irish words.
Gráinneog - Hedgehog
Gráin - hatred/hated
Gránna - ugly
Óg - little
Gráinneog - cosúil le rud beag gránna
Hedgehog in Irish literally means "ugly/hated little thing"!
November 8, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Sanasaíocht na Gaeilge.
Etymology of Irish words.
Gráinneog - Hedgehog
Gráin - hatred/hated
Gránna - ugly
Óg - little
Gráinneog - cosúil le rud beag gránna
Hedgehog in Irish literally means "ugly/hated little thing"!
Etymology of Irish words.
Gráinneog - Hedgehog
Gráin - hatred/hated
Gránna - ugly
Óg - little
Gráinneog - cosúil le rud beag gránna
Hedgehog in Irish literally means "ugly/hated little thing"!
73,000 exemptions from Irish? Nuts. That's exclusion.
I'm not surprised. I was on a webinar with a school who encouraged parents to seek exemptions from Irish, but for their children to continue with Italian! "Irish educators against Irish"?
www.thejournal.ie/criticism-an...
I'm not surprised. I was on a webinar with a school who encouraged parents to seek exemptions from Irish, but for their children to continue with Italian! "Irish educators against Irish"?
www.thejournal.ie/criticism-an...
Lack of specific targets criticised as policies to support Irish outside Gaeltacht launched
The Department of Education and Youth has been accused of a lack of ambition over the lack of specific targets for enrolment in Irish medium education in its new plan.
www.thejournal.ie
November 8, 2025 at 2:10 PM
73,000 exemptions from Irish? Nuts. That's exclusion.
I'm not surprised. I was on a webinar with a school who encouraged parents to seek exemptions from Irish, but for their children to continue with Italian! "Irish educators against Irish"?
www.thejournal.ie/criticism-an...
I'm not surprised. I was on a webinar with a school who encouraged parents to seek exemptions from Irish, but for their children to continue with Italian! "Irish educators against Irish"?
www.thejournal.ie/criticism-an...
Visitors to Dublin, we are not Generica!
You'll still find bits of authentic culture among the commercialised blandness & tat.
There's history, trad & all kinds of music, literature, architecture, Irish language events, crafts, arts, story tellers & craic.
#LoveDublin #DiscoverIreland #Dublin
You'll still find bits of authentic culture among the commercialised blandness & tat.
There's history, trad & all kinds of music, literature, architecture, Irish language events, crafts, arts, story tellers & craic.
#LoveDublin #DiscoverIreland #Dublin
November 7, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Visitors to Dublin, we are not Generica!
You'll still find bits of authentic culture among the commercialised blandness & tat.
There's history, trad & all kinds of music, literature, architecture, Irish language events, crafts, arts, story tellers & craic.
#LoveDublin #DiscoverIreland #Dublin
You'll still find bits of authentic culture among the commercialised blandness & tat.
There's history, trad & all kinds of music, literature, architecture, Irish language events, crafts, arts, story tellers & craic.
#LoveDublin #DiscoverIreland #Dublin
A chairde, that other place is so toxic! It's easy to slip into arguments, criticism, & insults there because everyone is at it!
Not good for mental health & not conducive to any kind of respectful debate or discourse.
Was not always the way. I'm online since 2020, and it wasn't like that then.
Not good for mental health & not conducive to any kind of respectful debate or discourse.
Was not always the way. I'm online since 2020, and it wasn't like that then.
November 7, 2025 at 11:33 AM
A chairde, that other place is so toxic! It's easy to slip into arguments, criticism, & insults there because everyone is at it!
Not good for mental health & not conducive to any kind of respectful debate or discourse.
Was not always the way. I'm online since 2020, and it wasn't like that then.
Not good for mental health & not conducive to any kind of respectful debate or discourse.
Was not always the way. I'm online since 2020, and it wasn't like that then.
Reposted by Derek Hollingsworth
A new policy and a plan to strengthen the teaching, learning and use of Irish language in schools is due to be launched
Plan to enhance Irish learning in schools to be announced
A new policy and a plan to strengthen the teaching, learning and use of Irish language in schools is due to be launched.
www.rte.ie
November 6, 2025 at 6:59 AM
A new policy and a plan to strengthen the teaching, learning and use of Irish language in schools is due to be launched
Irish people are embracing the language, the music, the heritage etc. from a place of deficit forced on them by colonialism. They are reclaiming what's theirs, which is healthy & shows a maturing society, distancing itself from colonial attitudes towards native culture.
November 6, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Irish people are embracing the language, the music, the heritage etc. from a place of deficit forced on them by colonialism. They are reclaiming what's theirs, which is healthy & shows a maturing society, distancing itself from colonial attitudes towards native culture.
Maidin mhaith ón Bhruiséil. Seo mo chéad uair sa Bheilg. Tá mo mhisean anseo na cainteoir Gaeilge a aimsiú, agus labhairt leo 😉
Bain sult as an lá!
🇧🇪
Bain sult as an lá!
🇧🇪
November 3, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Maidin mhaith ón Bhruiséil. Seo mo chéad uair sa Bheilg. Tá mo mhisean anseo na cainteoir Gaeilge a aimsiú, agus labhairt leo 😉
Bain sult as an lá!
🇧🇪
Bain sult as an lá!
🇧🇪
It's worth remembering that Michael D. Higgins had to deal with a lot of resistance when he was establishing Teilifís na Gaeilge (now TG4).
Have we finally begun decolonising the Irish psyche?
TG4: the saviour of a language
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
Have we finally begun decolonising the Irish psyche?
TG4: the saviour of a language
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
TG4: the saviour of a language
IN between all the empty debate and petty disputes and rows and static and scandal and point-scoring and personality disputes and constituency infighting, you get rare reminders politics can stil...
www.irishexaminer.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:25 AM
It's worth remembering that Michael D. Higgins had to deal with a lot of resistance when he was establishing Teilifís na Gaeilge (now TG4).
Have we finally begun decolonising the Irish psyche?
TG4: the saviour of a language
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
Have we finally begun decolonising the Irish psyche?
TG4: the saviour of a language
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
Manchán Magan's ashes were being scattered at Uisneach today on Samhain. How totally apt.
For someone who often spoke of liminal places & thresholds, he was so inspiring for so many people who engaged with Gaeilge, the landscape, Irish culture & heritage because of him.
Pic TG4 #Manchán
For someone who often spoke of liminal places & thresholds, he was so inspiring for so many people who engaged with Gaeilge, the landscape, Irish culture & heritage because of him.
Pic TG4 #Manchán
November 1, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Manchán Magan's ashes were being scattered at Uisneach today on Samhain. How totally apt.
For someone who often spoke of liminal places & thresholds, he was so inspiring for so many people who engaged with Gaeilge, the landscape, Irish culture & heritage because of him.
Pic TG4 #Manchán
For someone who often spoke of liminal places & thresholds, he was so inspiring for so many people who engaged with Gaeilge, the landscape, Irish culture & heritage because of him.
Pic TG4 #Manchán
When I translated Bean Sí (woman of the fairy mound/fairy woman) for an English friend, they asked why such a terrifying image is associated with her.
I had to explain that Irish fairies don't have pointy ears and wings. They'll f**k you up if you mess with them!
#Halloween
I had to explain that Irish fairies don't have pointy ears and wings. They'll f**k you up if you mess with them!
#Halloween
October 31, 2025 at 6:39 PM
When I translated Bean Sí (woman of the fairy mound/fairy woman) for an English friend, they asked why such a terrifying image is associated with her.
I had to explain that Irish fairies don't have pointy ears and wings. They'll f**k you up if you mess with them!
#Halloween
I had to explain that Irish fairies don't have pointy ears and wings. They'll f**k you up if you mess with them!
#Halloween
Reposted by Derek Hollingsworth
Focail i mBéarla atá Gaelach ó dhúcas:
Banshee, a forboding female spirit, borrowed into English in 1600s. Originally 'Bean Sí', 'woman of the fairies'.
Oíche Shamhna (Halloween) is a festival originating in Gaelic Ireland & Scotland.
🎃 came later!
Oíche Shamhna shona duit!
Happy Halloween to you!
Banshee, a forboding female spirit, borrowed into English in 1600s. Originally 'Bean Sí', 'woman of the fairies'.
Oíche Shamhna (Halloween) is a festival originating in Gaelic Ireland & Scotland.
🎃 came later!
Oíche Shamhna shona duit!
Happy Halloween to you!
October 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Focail i mBéarla atá Gaelach ó dhúcas:
Banshee, a forboding female spirit, borrowed into English in 1600s. Originally 'Bean Sí', 'woman of the fairies'.
Oíche Shamhna (Halloween) is a festival originating in Gaelic Ireland & Scotland.
🎃 came later!
Oíche Shamhna shona duit!
Happy Halloween to you!
Banshee, a forboding female spirit, borrowed into English in 1600s. Originally 'Bean Sí', 'woman of the fairies'.
Oíche Shamhna (Halloween) is a festival originating in Gaelic Ireland & Scotland.
🎃 came later!
Oíche Shamhna shona duit!
Happy Halloween to you!
Focail i mBéarla atá Gaelach ó dhúcas:
Banshee, a forboding female spirit, borrowed into English in 1600s. Originally 'Bean Sí', 'woman of the fairies'.
Oíche Shamhna (Halloween) is a festival originating in Gaelic Ireland & Scotland.
🎃 came later!
Oíche Shamhna shona duit!
Happy Halloween to you!
Banshee, a forboding female spirit, borrowed into English in 1600s. Originally 'Bean Sí', 'woman of the fairies'.
Oíche Shamhna (Halloween) is a festival originating in Gaelic Ireland & Scotland.
🎃 came later!
Oíche Shamhna shona duit!
Happy Halloween to you!
October 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Focail i mBéarla atá Gaelach ó dhúcas:
Banshee, a forboding female spirit, borrowed into English in 1600s. Originally 'Bean Sí', 'woman of the fairies'.
Oíche Shamhna (Halloween) is a festival originating in Gaelic Ireland & Scotland.
🎃 came later!
Oíche Shamhna shona duit!
Happy Halloween to you!
Banshee, a forboding female spirit, borrowed into English in 1600s. Originally 'Bean Sí', 'woman of the fairies'.
Oíche Shamhna (Halloween) is a festival originating in Gaelic Ireland & Scotland.
🎃 came later!
Oíche Shamhna shona duit!
Happy Halloween to you!
There's no need for anyone to feel shame or embarrassment about not speaking Irish.
Past traumas: colonialism, "famine", poverty; & an education system that taught Irish as a subject, are valid.
But if we see every word of Irish we have as liberating, then any bit we possess be healing and hopeful
Past traumas: colonialism, "famine", poverty; & an education system that taught Irish as a subject, are valid.
But if we see every word of Irish we have as liberating, then any bit we possess be healing and hopeful
October 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM
There's no need for anyone to feel shame or embarrassment about not speaking Irish.
Past traumas: colonialism, "famine", poverty; & an education system that taught Irish as a subject, are valid.
But if we see every word of Irish we have as liberating, then any bit we possess be healing and hopeful
Past traumas: colonialism, "famine", poverty; & an education system that taught Irish as a subject, are valid.
But if we see every word of Irish we have as liberating, then any bit we possess be healing and hopeful
Reposted by Derek Hollingsworth
Bhí Pop-Up Gaeltacht iontach againn in Istanbul aréir. 🥳
We had a wonderful Pop-Up Gaeltacht in Istanbul last night. People who wanted to learn Irish in a fun and easy-going way. Beidh muid ar ais arís, a chairde - We'll be back! 🇮🇪 + 🇹🇷
#PopUpIstanbul #LetsLearnIrish
We had a wonderful Pop-Up Gaeltacht in Istanbul last night. People who wanted to learn Irish in a fun and easy-going way. Beidh muid ar ais arís, a chairde - We'll be back! 🇮🇪 + 🇹🇷
#PopUpIstanbul #LetsLearnIrish
October 27, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Bhí Pop-Up Gaeltacht iontach againn in Istanbul aréir. 🥳
We had a wonderful Pop-Up Gaeltacht in Istanbul last night. People who wanted to learn Irish in a fun and easy-going way. Beidh muid ar ais arís, a chairde - We'll be back! 🇮🇪 + 🇹🇷
#PopUpIstanbul #LetsLearnIrish
We had a wonderful Pop-Up Gaeltacht in Istanbul last night. People who wanted to learn Irish in a fun and easy-going way. Beidh muid ar ais arís, a chairde - We'll be back! 🇮🇪 + 🇹🇷
#PopUpIstanbul #LetsLearnIrish
Reposted by Derek Hollingsworth
As the dust settles following the election of Catherine Connolly, what will the Áras look like during her term? One thing that will be different from previous terms: Irish is to be the working language in the Áras. #Gaeilge #Aras25
jrnl.ie/6856354t
jrnl.ie/6856354t
Irish will be working language in Áras an Uachtaráin during Catherine Connolly's term
Catherine Connolly outlined her ideas relating to Irish and the Presidency in a response to Conradh na Gaeilge’s GaelVóta questionnaire.
jrnl.ie
October 27, 2025 at 10:50 AM
As the dust settles following the election of Catherine Connolly, what will the Áras look like during her term? One thing that will be different from previous terms: Irish is to be the working language in the Áras. #Gaeilge #Aras25
jrnl.ie/6856354t
jrnl.ie/6856354t
I don't recall #Gaeilge being such a part of an election campaign before. Some who didn't think it important
A) didn't appear to see it as a skill and/or
B) jumped on the defensive, "I'm no less Irish because I don't speak Irish." You can not speak it but still respect it. #Áras25
A) didn't appear to see it as a skill and/or
B) jumped on the defensive, "I'm no less Irish because I don't speak Irish." You can not speak it but still respect it. #Áras25
October 27, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Lig dom Tadhg an tornapa a chuir in aithne daoibh.
Have you all got your turnips for carving for Halloween, as per the original Irish tradition for Oíche Shamhna?
Just beware that they don't trick you - they're very difficult to carve! Take care! And any tips welcome!! 🐈⬛️ 🧙♀️
Have you all got your turnips for carving for Halloween, as per the original Irish tradition for Oíche Shamhna?
Just beware that they don't trick you - they're very difficult to carve! Take care! And any tips welcome!! 🐈⬛️ 🧙♀️
October 26, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Lig dom Tadhg an tornapa a chuir in aithne daoibh.
Have you all got your turnips for carving for Halloween, as per the original Irish tradition for Oíche Shamhna?
Just beware that they don't trick you - they're very difficult to carve! Take care! And any tips welcome!! 🐈⬛️ 🧙♀️
Have you all got your turnips for carving for Halloween, as per the original Irish tradition for Oíche Shamhna?
Just beware that they don't trick you - they're very difficult to carve! Take care! And any tips welcome!! 🐈⬛️ 🧙♀️
Is tábhachtach í ár dteanga agus tá baint aici le ár bhféiniúlacht, ár muinín agus ár sláinte mheabhrach.
Is fiú é í a fhoghlaim!
#Gaeilge #Irishlanguage
Is fiú é í a fhoghlaim!
#Gaeilge #Irishlanguage
Guilt and shame don't help anyone to learn Irish, or connect with native culture.
Acceptance of where you're at, Irish history, some self-belief, and a supportive environment - that's a great place to start.
It's also a journey of self-discovery! Is fiú é!
www.rte.ie/entertainmen...
Acceptance of where you're at, Irish history, some self-belief, and a supportive environment - that's a great place to start.
It's also a journey of self-discovery! Is fiú é!
www.rte.ie/entertainmen...
May: 'It's not your fault that you don't speak Irish'
Imelda May has spoken about the "fear" and "shame" many people feel around the Irish language on Friday night's Late Late Show, saying "it's not your fault that you don't speak Irish".
www.rte.ie
October 25, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Is tábhachtach í ár dteanga agus tá baint aici le ár bhféiniúlacht, ár muinín agus ár sláinte mheabhrach.
Is fiú é í a fhoghlaim!
#Gaeilge #Irishlanguage
Is fiú é í a fhoghlaim!
#Gaeilge #Irishlanguage
Guilt and shame don't help anyone to learn Irish, or connect with native culture.
Acceptance of where you're at, Irish history, some self-belief, and a supportive environment - that's a great place to start.
It's also a journey of self-discovery! Is fiú é!
www.rte.ie/entertainmen...
Acceptance of where you're at, Irish history, some self-belief, and a supportive environment - that's a great place to start.
It's also a journey of self-discovery! Is fiú é!
www.rte.ie/entertainmen...
May: 'It's not your fault that you don't speak Irish'
Imelda May has spoken about the "fear" and "shame" many people feel around the Irish language on Friday night's Late Late Show, saying "it's not your fault that you don't speak Irish".
www.rte.ie
October 25, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Guilt and shame don't help anyone to learn Irish, or connect with native culture.
Acceptance of where you're at, Irish history, some self-belief, and a supportive environment - that's a great place to start.
It's also a journey of self-discovery! Is fiú é!
www.rte.ie/entertainmen...
Acceptance of where you're at, Irish history, some self-belief, and a supportive environment - that's a great place to start.
It's also a journey of self-discovery! Is fiú é!
www.rte.ie/entertainmen...
Táim ag dul amach chun vótáil anois. Nuair a rugadh mo Mhamónna, ní raibh an vóta ag mná. Sa ré choilíneach, ní raibh an vóta ag daoine mar gheall ar reiligiún nó réadmhaoin.
I mo thuairim féin, is pribhléid é dom vóta a chaitheamh.
When my Nanas were born, women didn't have the vote.
#Áras25
I mo thuairim féin, is pribhléid é dom vóta a chaitheamh.
When my Nanas were born, women didn't have the vote.
#Áras25
October 24, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Táim ag dul amach chun vótáil anois. Nuair a rugadh mo Mhamónna, ní raibh an vóta ag mná. Sa ré choilíneach, ní raibh an vóta ag daoine mar gheall ar reiligiún nó réadmhaoin.
I mo thuairim féin, is pribhléid é dom vóta a chaitheamh.
When my Nanas were born, women didn't have the vote.
#Áras25
I mo thuairim féin, is pribhléid é dom vóta a chaitheamh.
When my Nanas were born, women didn't have the vote.
#Áras25
Thinking of the victims murdered in cold blood on Bloody Sunday, and their families. The Bloody Sunday families continue to endure with dignity in the face of colonial impunity.
#BloodySunday
#BloodySunday
October 23, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Thinking of the victims murdered in cold blood on Bloody Sunday, and their families. The Bloody Sunday families continue to endure with dignity in the face of colonial impunity.
#BloodySunday
#BloodySunday
Irish terms at Halloween for the family:
Oíche Shamhna-Halloween
bean sí-banshee
taibhse-ghost
púca-a form-changing spirit
gléas suas-dress up
fáinne-ring
cailleach-witch/hag
cat dubh-black cat
bairín breac-barm brack
Bairín breac literally means speckled loaf
❤️ #Gaeilge #OícheShamhna #Halloween
Oíche Shamhna-Halloween
bean sí-banshee
taibhse-ghost
púca-a form-changing spirit
gléas suas-dress up
fáinne-ring
cailleach-witch/hag
cat dubh-black cat
bairín breac-barm brack
Bairín breac literally means speckled loaf
❤️ #Gaeilge #OícheShamhna #Halloween
October 18, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Irish terms at Halloween for the family:
Oíche Shamhna-Halloween
bean sí-banshee
taibhse-ghost
púca-a form-changing spirit
gléas suas-dress up
fáinne-ring
cailleach-witch/hag
cat dubh-black cat
bairín breac-barm brack
Bairín breac literally means speckled loaf
❤️ #Gaeilge #OícheShamhna #Halloween
Oíche Shamhna-Halloween
bean sí-banshee
taibhse-ghost
púca-a form-changing spirit
gléas suas-dress up
fáinne-ring
cailleach-witch/hag
cat dubh-black cat
bairín breac-barm brack
Bairín breac literally means speckled loaf
❤️ #Gaeilge #OícheShamhna #Halloween
Is ionann é Oíche Shamhna agus tornapa! Turnip is synonymous with Halloween in Ireland!
The carving of vegetables to ward off evil spirits was done in Gaelic Scotland and Ireland, & in Wales.
The tradition of carving pumpkins came later from the United States of America.
#OícheShahmna #Halloween
The carving of vegetables to ward off evil spirits was done in Gaelic Scotland and Ireland, & in Wales.
The tradition of carving pumpkins came later from the United States of America.
#OícheShahmna #Halloween
October 15, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Is ionann é Oíche Shamhna agus tornapa! Turnip is synonymous with Halloween in Ireland!
The carving of vegetables to ward off evil spirits was done in Gaelic Scotland and Ireland, & in Wales.
The tradition of carving pumpkins came later from the United States of America.
#OícheShahmna #Halloween
The carving of vegetables to ward off evil spirits was done in Gaelic Scotland and Ireland, & in Wales.
The tradition of carving pumpkins came later from the United States of America.
#OícheShahmna #Halloween
Reposted by Derek Hollingsworth
Dubliners,
Are you looking for Irish classes where time & cost aren't an issue?
Try ours!
These start NEXT MONDAY - not Tuesday as per pic. Had to change the night.
Email [email protected]
Bígí linn! #Gaeilge #IrishLanguage
Please share!!!
Are you looking for Irish classes where time & cost aren't an issue?
Try ours!
These start NEXT MONDAY - not Tuesday as per pic. Had to change the night.
Email [email protected]
Bígí linn! #Gaeilge #IrishLanguage
Please share!!!
October 10, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Dubliners,
Are you looking for Irish classes where time & cost aren't an issue?
Try ours!
These start NEXT MONDAY - not Tuesday as per pic. Had to change the night.
Email [email protected]
Bígí linn! #Gaeilge #IrishLanguage
Please share!!!
Are you looking for Irish classes where time & cost aren't an issue?
Try ours!
These start NEXT MONDAY - not Tuesday as per pic. Had to change the night.
Email [email protected]
Bígí linn! #Gaeilge #IrishLanguage
Please share!!!