Jerry, Is there any way to learn Irish. I mean is there a way that is better than the others. I have bought books and practiced my pronunciation to only find out I was off by a mile. I have a cousin in Dublin and he gets the whole family around the phone when I call and he ask me to speak the Irish I have learned and then I can hear them all rolling in the floor as I say the words I have learned. Then I am politely corrected and there is just no way to even learn the language phonetically. I have tried the internet and so I have run out of options, short of moving back to Kilkenny and starting over. I live in the least Irish of all the states...Atlanta, Georgia all though I am surprised by the history of the area when in the late 1700's the Irish moved in here in droves. We have so many people that have Mc's before their names that don't have a clue that its Irish. Oh well, what's one to do. jd

On 4/23/04 4:17 PM, "JD" <jedollard@comcast.net> wrote: > Is there any way to learn Irish. You might try one of the recorded lesson ways of learning the language. I have a tape by Berlitz of native Irish speakers, from which I learned different phrases. In my town, there are also classes done by different organizations, such as a University or a cultural society. Ask around to any people of Irish background you know, or contact a group like the Ancient Order of Hibernians and ask them. Youl should also know that there are different accents in different parts of Ireland. Your relatives in Dublin might laugh at a rube from Donegal or a provincial from Antrim just as well. -- We will not forget! www.remember-9-11.com www.ciarancummings.com

> > >Is there any way to learn Irish. I mean is there a way that is better than >the others. I have bought books and practiced my pronunciation to only find >out I was off by a mile. > Near the bottom of the Irish-American website, I have a link to Amazon for a multi-media system to learn Irish. I haven't used it so can't tell whether it works or not. -- Pat Connors, Sacramento CA http://www.connorsgenealogy.com All outgoing mail virus free, scanned by Norton

Hi JD, sorry I've been out of touch. Michael and Pat had excellent suggestions. Also, the Dáltaí na Gaeilge (Students of the Irish Language) site lists Irish language teachers and classes in the U.S. by clicking on your state on their map at http://www.daltai.com/classes.htm . Unfortunately, I don't see anything listed for Atlanta (which really surprises me). So, as Pat points out, multi-media learning is the next best way to go. The set called IrishNow! about 3/4 of the way down on Pat's webpage ( http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/IrishAmerican/ ) looks good. Also, the company Fios Feasa ('Knowledge of knowledge') has good multi-media learning material at http://www.fiosfeasa.com/script/bearla/products/first_steps.asp and at http://www.fiosfeasa.com/bearla/products.html . Meanwhile, here's a new and extremely interesting development. Tomás de hÍde at Lehman College (City University of New York) has organized unline for-credit classes which will begin June 7. As the Dáltaí information says, "Course makes use of Blackboard on-line software with sound files, two audio cassettes, two videotapes, and weekly conference phone calls. For additional information, contact the instructor at 250 Bedford Park Blvd West Bronx, NY 10468-1589 Phone: (718) 938-1345 Email: tihde@lehman.cuny.edu " Lastly, when I get my computer back up completely (hopefully in about 2 weeks le cúnamh Dé), I'll finish my free on-line multimedia pronunciation guide. And then we'll be able to test your cousins in Dublin! Le gach dea-ghuí / All the best, Jerry Kelly NA GAEIL MAGAZINE (coming soon and free to an internet near you) ----- Original Message ----- From: "JD" <jedollard@comcast.net> To: <IRISH-AMERICAN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 6:17 PM Subject: Re: [Irish-American] > Jerry, > > Is there any way to learn Irish. I mean is there a way that is better than > the others. I have bought books and practiced my pronunciation to only find > out I was off by a mile. I have a cousin in Dublin and he gets the whole > family around the phone when I call and he ask me to speak the Irish I have > learned and then I can hear them all rolling in the floor as I say the words > I have learned. Then I am politely corrected and there is just no way to > even learn the language phonetically. I have tried the internet and so I > have run out of options, short of moving back to Kilkenny and starting over. > I live in the least Irish of all the states...Atlanta, Georgia all though I > am surprised by the history of the area when in the late 1700's the Irish > moved in here in droves. We have so many people that have Mc's before their > names that don't have a clue that its Irish. Oh well, what's one to do. jd > > > > ==== IRISH-AMERICAN Mailing List ==== > The IRISH-AMERICAN Mailing List Website and Lookup Service > http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/IrishAmerican/ > Use this to unsub, change your subscription, links, etc. >

Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill-March 28, 1950 My mother is Ireland herself as I stand by the iron bed hiding in the sheets still waiting to be born The doctor comes in from birthing lambs he places his hand on each side Of the swollen belly where it is I lie waiting inside Nuala looks up at me and she winks and she smiles Then takes my hand she squeezes our clasp softly I think how lovely she is Sitting with her back up against the wall that way Her hand holding back her thick long flowing red hair There in the deep green Celtic eyes she has Shows she is not afraid Nor was she ever afraid Even when the British came for those 800 years And they stole our bread and laughed at us they forbid birthing even our language and said that I would never be born On the verdure island they covet It's a chilly day, its late into March already the hospital floor is made of a mixture of ground white porcelain pots and fresh dirt As I look up into her face again, her beautiful Irish face She reassures me, says to me it's about time to leave You there, come out to see me You will remember none of this once you pass over the threshold of the womb The first thing I hear the day I was born were the sound of sea gulls overhead sailing in the light of day As I stared out into the bay of Cork As she had never once been here to see me But still somehow I know she's coming