212
AN GAOḊAL.
Hall, 114 & 116 E, 13th street, and the latter 295
Bowery. Mr. O'Neill continued in the movement
until he died.
The foregoing are the facts in connection with
the Irish Language movement, and a synopsis of
its history up to the present.
The movement has published two Journals in its
interest, the GAEL and the Gaelic Journal.
Now we would advise our New York friends to
start another Journal there. They have two strong
societies, and they cannot boast of their progress
when Brooklyn single-handed founded the pioneer
Gaelic Journal, thus keeping them in the shade.
Seeing that they had a very successful reunion
there lately we cannot see anything in their way
to found a Gaelic Journal. The GAEL will render
them every assistance in its power. We would like
to see a Gaelic Journal in every town and city. —
So we say to you, New York friends, if you do
not start a journal you are not doing your duty.
EXTRACTS From the ANNUAL REPORT
of the
SOCIETY for the PRESERVATION of the IRISH
LANGUAGE, DUBLIN.
[Continued.]
I know several teachers, myself included, who
can speak Irish fluently, read it in either character,
translate either language into the other wtih tol¬
erable accuracy. In my opinion these men would
be just as useful in extending the language as those
recognised for certificates. Mr. T: M. King,
Garrowgoven N. S — "All the children, from the
very youngest, understand Irish as a spoken lan¬
guage, and all, from the first class upwards, may
be taught it. Their parents being able to speak
it would be of great assistance to their children
while preparing their lessons at home. The
teacher himself being able to speak the Irish lan¬
guage would, in a short time, be able to procure a
certificate. Lastly the manager, Rev. Father
O'Grady, being a good Irish scholar himself, would
be sure to lend his influence and help to so laud¬
able an object." Mr. Crawly, Letterfrack N. S. —
There was an Irish class, but it was given up
chiefly owing to the restrictions placed by the
National Board on the teaching of Irish. The
principal restrictions to which I allude are (1)
That the Irish be not taught to children under ten
years of age (the avarage of children attending
Connemara schools is nine years). (2) That no
be presented in Irish who have not reached fifth
class at least. (3) That the language be taught
only outside of school hours — in other words,
that it be kicked out of schools alltogether." Mr.
J. O'Brien, Miltown-Malbay N. S. — ,,The parents
of all the child speak Irish. There is no Irish
class. There was an Irish class when Irish was
allowed on the programme for the first time by
the National Board; but the teachers having no
certificate threw up. Up to thirty or forty pupils
were in the class. They were advanced as far as
the Second Book published by the Society for
the Preservation of the Irish Language. All the
pupils in school from the second class up could
leam Irish. It is quite natural to them. Teach¬
ere should be allowed to teach without a certificate:
but no payments unless the pupils pass in their
examination. If you require a certifisate from the
National Teachers, Irish will never succeed; but if
allowed to teach without a certificate, and pay
according to results, Irish may become a spoken
and written language in Ireland." Mr. John
Fleming, Rathgormac N. S. — "The parents of all
the children speak Irish. There is an Irish class
twice a week, with an average attendance of twenty
six students." Mr. M. Foley, Mulnahorna N. S.
Dungarvan — "There are 208 pupils. Every pupil
can speak Irish, as it is the language the child
speaks on his first coming to school, scarcely know¬
ing a word of English. There is no Irish class.
The chief reason is the too great disproportion
between those classes that can earn results fees in
Irish, and those that cannot, owing to the rule at
present enforced by the National Board confining
the taching of Irish to fifth and higher classes."
Mr. J. Aolland, Ballinspittal N. S. — "One hundred
and twenty five of the children's parents speak
Irish. I have a certificate since December, 1879.
An Irish class consisting of thirty studets meet six
times a week. They are reading the 1st. 2nd. and
3rd. books published by the Society." Mr. John
O'Connor, Ballinacartin N. S. — "The parents of all
the children are Irish speaking. An Irish class
consisting of thirty or forty students meet five
times a week. I have no certificate. Mr. D.
Lynch, Philipstown N. S., Dunleer — "I hold an
honorary certificate. There is an Irish class
humbering twelve, which meets four times a
week." Mr. M. O'Connor, Killavalla N. S. — "An
Irish class meet five times a week. About thirty
can read Irish tolerably."
Reports were also received from the following
teachers of the National Schools, affording infor¬
mation of a nature somewhat similar to the above:
Messrs. P. Sherlane, Bangor; T. M'Caffrey, Roos¬
key, J. O'Donohoe' Kilmaly, C. Thaurhan, Belly¬
brad; Patrick Cassidy, Moyasta; Patrick Treacy,
Garranbane; Patrick O'Connor. Ashdee: Dominick
Gallagher, Barnatra; Patrick Mullin, Larganboy;
P. Laugley, Foxford. T Quinn, Lehinch; William
Kelly, Prizon: T. Walsh, Knockrookerry; T. Han¬
non, Clashachor: T: Hynes, Cloghans; John, Lahine
Doonaha, &c. &c.
Devoting a large space to Easy Les¬
sons for a number of classes which
have been lately formed crushes out
"sentiments of our subscribers" and
other matter. All appear in time
