This contribution was originally published in The Irish Times on March 13th 2026.

In the few years I have been actively learning Irish as a relatively new arrival to Ireland, I have been encouraged by what feels like a clear revival of the language. No time is this more visible than during Seachtain na Gaeilge.

There are countless initiatives, big and small: coffee shops offering discounts for ordering in Irish, ciorcal comhrá meetups, introductory online classes and WhatsApp groups where enthusiastic learners from around the world share their cúpla focal about their daily lives.

For some it is a rediscovery of the language they once struggled with in school. For others, like myself, it is a way to connect with the culture and heritage of the Ireland we now call home.

The old saying “Beatha teanga í a labhairt” comes to mind, and especially at this time of year it feels very true. The language is not only alive but thriving, giving us a glimpse of what the future might look like if it were fully embraced as part of our shared heritage.