Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an introduction to the Irish Language

The Irish American Society of the Jersey Shore is pleased to present a talk by Rath deHoust, entitled “Placenames in Ireland and their Irish Language Roots,” sharing the legends and stories  behind some of the most common places in Ireland.

The meeting will be on Monday, March 9, at 7 pm at the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, 815 16th Avenue, Belmar. 

DeHoust, a well-known instructor for Daltaí na Gaeilge (Students of the Irish Language),  Brookdale Community College and the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England, has been teaching the Irish language for more than twenty years. She proudly wears her fáinne óir, a  small, gold ring awarded for fluency. To enrich her proficiency in the spoken language, De Houst travels to Ireland annually to study and converse with native speakers in the Gaeltacht districts. 

Today, Ireland’s native language remains the primary language spoken daily in the country’s  Gaeltacht districts. These areas, stretching primarily from north to south along the Atlantic  west coast of Ireland, are communities that actively preserve distinctive traditions of speech,  music, and storytelling, offering a vital link to Ireland’s linguistic heritage and inherent identity. 

The Irish language – Gaeilge in Irish – is rooted in antiquity, tracing its origins to thousands of  years ago. In colonial times, under British rule, policies and laws were instituted which  criminalized speaking the native Irish language. The Irish people were forced, under penalty, to  speak English. This systematic marginalization led to a dramatic decline in everyday Irish  speakers, leaving lasting scars on Ireland’s cultural and linguistic heritage. 

Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly, a native Irish speaker from County Galway,  acknowledges this sad aspect of Irish history. "Our ancestors' hearts were stifled when they  were stopped from speaking their own language, a language that has feeling and heart in each  word.” She encourages a broader use of the language, saying, “it is an absolute gift to us and  it’s an invitation to look at the world through a different eye.”  

As one of Europe's oldest languages, Irish is widely revered for the depth of its lyrical and  expressive qualities. DeHoust says, “the language carries a profound connection to history and  mythology which are intrinsically woven into placenames. Understanding these names and  their roots provides a fascinating way to see familiar places through the lens of language and  tradition and deepens the link to Ireland’s rich and ancient past. The Irish language offers a meaningful way to connect with the living heart of Irish culture.”  

Admission to the meeting is free to members of the Society and FSOS Belmar. A donation of $10  is suggested for guests. New members are welcome to join that evening. 

For more information and to keep apprised of upcoming meetings, go to www.facebook.com/IrishAmericanSocietyJerseyShore.