As I prepared to leave for Ireland, my nerves raced. I was going alone to a foreign city, arriving a few days before the other international students. Rather than letting these daunting facts scare me, I tried to see the positive aspects of the situation. "On the bright side," I thought to myself, "at least it's an English speaking country!"
I soon learned (to my surprise) that this was only partially true. According to Article 8 of the Irish Constitution, the Irish language is the national, and first, official language. (The Irish language is sometimes referred to as Gaelic by foreigners….I was quickly corrected, though, when I made this misstatement!) The second official language is English. Despite these facts, English was definitely more widespread than Irish until the Official Languages Act of 2003 was passed. The act required both languages to be used in all official state transactions. In day-to-day life, this translates to signage and communication in both languages. As I sit on the public bus waiting for my stop, I hear both “Baggot Street” and “Sráid Bhagóid.”
According to the World Bank’s 2014 analysis, the population of Ireland is 4.613 million people. Of that number, the Irish Central Office of Statistics states that 1,273,069 people live in Dublin County, with the majority not being native Dubliners. With globalization, industrialization, and mass migrations to cities, the need for both languages became apparent to ensure the equality of all Irish citizens, as well as to preserve Irish heritage.
The Irish take further steps to preserve their culture and heritage. Students are required to study Irish in primary and post-primary school (though some exemptions are possible). In interacting with my Irish peers, I have found a variance of opinions on the requirement. Some love the language and enthusiastically learn it, viewing it as a connection to the past and a way to preserve their heritage in the future. Others are frustrated with the intricate language and do not see practical use for their hours of study, since it is spoken nowhere else in the world. Yet another group finds the classes easy. These are the students who have grown up in Gaeltacht, the Irish speaking regions of the country. They may choose to join societies such as University College Dublin’s Bord na Gaeilge, a society with its own on-campus residence which affords students cultural opportunities and a space to speak their beloved language.
Another way that Irish culture has been preserved is through the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Being the avid sports fan that I am, I was eager to learn about the various sports that make up the GAA in order to get insight into the Irish culture. It turns out that I came to Ireland at just the right time—in the midst of the All-Ireland GAA Finals. The GAA includes football, hurling, ladies' football, camogie, handball, and rounders. The various sports are like no other sports that I have ever seen before! In hurling, players wear no padding whatsoever and brave being struck by other players running full speed while swinging large wooden sticks at the small ball. What especially sets the GAA athletes apart is that even the most elite teams are comprised of players who have other occupations in addition to being members of the team. Unlike the exorbitantly paid US professional athletes, the GAA players require skill sets that exceed those required on the “pitch.” The GAA players play the sport for the sake of the sport itself and often hold side jobs to pay the bills and support their families.
The GAA sports are quite physical, and injuries rack the players; yet, the players still illustrate unmatched strength and perseverance. These qualities are indicative of the Irish population as a whole. The intensity and physicality of the GAA sports are a reminder of the Irish people's tumultuous past but also a beacon of hope to continue on despite the adversity.
GAA games also give a glimpse into Dublin’s diversity. When the GAA games come on, the attire of Dublin suddenly changes. A multitude of GAA jerseys line the streets, with Dublin jerseys far outnumbered!
Even though modern Ireland has only existed since 1922, its rich history certainly predates this date. Ireland is moving forward at a rapid pace, highly entrenched in globalization; yet, the Irish language and GAA continue to permeate the culture. They serve as subtle reminders that no matter where the country goes in the future, it will not forget its past.
Emily DeMaio graduated from Georgetown's School of Nursing and Health Studies in 2017. Emily’s study abroad experience during fall 2015 revolved around clinical rotations in both private and public Irish hospitals. She compared and contrasted the healthcare delivery system of Ireland with that of the United States, learned cultural competence by caring for Irish patients, and blogged for the Junior Year Abroad Network.
