ANAM:

 

 

 

A chara,

When my daughter was about two years old, I left everything to move to the west Kerry Gaeltacht region to live my life “as Gaeilge”. To live my life, go mbeidh an teanga seo lárnach agam mar slí agus mar foinse faoiseamh dhom go mbeidh spás agam i m’ cheann – sin an aidhm agus an rud tarraingteach faoin dteanga ag an am. Go mbeidh an fréamh ionam níos láidre, is níos doimhne ionas go mbeidh mé in ann an tsaol a ghlacadh mar duine saor – saoirse ón mbealach cung aigeanta frith-anamúla mar atá an gcuid is mó atá ann  na laethanta seo, gan Dia sa saol mhór.

 

And that is why I want to speak Irish with you.

And the ghosts of my ancestors, whose only language was Irish, in whose debt I live now especially my great great grandmother, Kate Ginty – bean céile Seamais Jeaic an leighseoir mar a bhí – nach mbeidh mise mar strainséir dóibh. Sea, cinnte. Táim beo. Ach cad eile atá ann?

 

Ní ba mhaith liom mo saol a mhíniú –