The Struggle and Survival of the Irish Language

by Scott D. Egan

Yes “céad míle fáilte” (a hundred thousand welcomes) is the wonderful theme of this year’s Tucson St. Patrick Parade. Yet saying these words at one time could have landed you in jail — or worse.

Although the Irish language has been spoken in Ireland for over 2,000 years (the oldest written language in Europe still spoken) the attempted obliteration of the Irish language started with the first Anglo-Norman invasion in 1169.

Like most conquerors, the culture of the native population was considered “depraved” by the new occupiers. By 1366 the Statutes of Kilkenny stipulated that “the speaking of Irish in the areas of English settlement was prohibited under pain of forfeiture of land or liberty.”

Such laws were instituted when the overwhelming majority of Irish people spoke only Irish!

From the 16th century onward, the assumed “superior” English culture helped justify the conqueror’s expansionist endeavors.