The Irish language is one of the oldest literary languages in Europe and contains one of the oldest vernacular poetic traditions. For many centuries, Irish was the most widely spoken language in Ireland, but the process of Anglicisation, the plantation of Ulster and the Great Famine, among other events, led to its gradual decline. The Celtic cultural revival in the late 19th and early 20th century, led by key figures from an Anglo-Irish cultural background, and the pioneering work of the Gaelic League, saw a resurgence of interest; however, the dynamism and inclusivity of this era came to an abrupt end with partition and independence in the 1920s.

The misguided placing by the newly independent State of the burden of language revival almost exclusively on the education system, without a parallel plan for facilitating the use of Irish in social situations and in working life, led to a further weakening. Today the census puts the number of people in the State with a reasonable command of the language at some 1.6 million people, but the practical meaning of this is hotly disputed, with the true figure of fluent speakers estimated at but a fraction of that.

Culturally, since the early 1990s, there has been an explosion of interest in the Irish language, not only in Ireland but further afield. A revival of national confidence linked to economic improvement, social liberalisation and the developing peace process in Northern Ireland was to free up cultural energy and create a space where the language could finally develop without being tarnished by association with militant physical-force republicanism and traditionalist and conservative values. The influx of migrants into Ireland, bringing with them enormous cultural and linguistic diversity, led many to reassess the value of Ireland’s own indigenous linguistic heritage.

In an increasingly globalised world, it has become clearer to many that this unique badge of national and cultural identity must be cherished lest it be lost. Younger people, both North and South, have taken a greater interest in Irish, which might in part be seen as a harvest from the growth of Gaelscoileanna and Irish-medium education in earlier decades.

Many have grown up with TG4 as a given and are unencumbered with the negative baggage towards the language which bedevilled older generations, who had suffered unenlightened teaching methods. Today’s Irish classes are increasingly being taken up by people who have not used Irish for a number of years. Organisations such as Gael-Linn, Conradh na Gaeilge and Gaelchultúr are central to Irish language-learning and cultural provision.

The US-born comedian Des Bishop has inspired many with his successful quest to gain fluency in the language, as documented in the RTE series “In the Name of the Fada”. His Irish language rap “Léim Thart” injected a lighting bolt of energy when performed at the 2007 Oireachtas na Gaeilge festival in Westport, which festival was attended by over 10,000 people.

Sean-Nós singing has also enjoyed a revival among the young, as seen in Ciaran Ó Con Cheanainn winning the prestigious Corn Uí Riada at the 2008 Oireachtas in Cork.

John Spillane, Slide, Kila and Clannad are some other modern exponents of the language as a vibrant force. There has been a parallel blossoming in the media, literary and artistic fields. Links with our Celtic neighbours have been rediscovered and strengthened, making Irish a force in cultural relations with other countries. Many immigrants have taken an interest in the language, as evidenced by the establishment of the group iMeasc. The internet has put Irish speakers world-wide in constant and instant touch with each other.

For much of its history, Trinity College would not have been perceived as sympathetic to Gaelic culture and identity. Nonetheless, it has had an important connection with the fortunes of the language since its establishment. In its early years, Trinity provided training for the clergy of the Established Church, in order to promote the reformed faith in the language of the majority of the people. William Bedell, one-time provost, was responsible, as Bishop of Kilmore, for the translation of the Old Testament into Irish. Dr Douglas Hyde, a son of the rectory, founder of the Gaelic League and first President of Ireland, was a student in College.

Today, as an inclusive and thoroughly Irish institution, Trinity remains proud of its historic links with the Church of Ireland, expressed today through its relationship with the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. The Church of Ireland itself has its own Irish language body, Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise. Trinity’s current Anglican Chaplain, Rev. Darren McCallig, an Irish speaker, will hold a service of Evensong as Gaeilge as part of Éigse na Tríonóide in January. Naturally, with the majority of students today being Roman Catholic, masses in Irish have also been a key feature of the Éigse in recent years.

College’s Chair of Irish was instituted in 1841 and among its occupants was renowned writer Máirtín Ó Cadhain (1969-’70). Today, the School of Irish under Professor Damian McManus is located in the Arts Building. It holds microfilm copies of the Irish Folklore Commission’s Collection of Irish Folklore Manuscripts. Trinity’s Coiste na Gaeilge works with the Irish Language Officer to promote the language, and in recent years has sponsored the “Trinity=Gaeilge” initiative, which aims to counter outdated perceptions that College is a cold house for the language. Classes in Scottish Gaelic for transition-year students in secondary schools in Dublin have been organised under this initiative.

Our college also has two Irish language student residency schemes, one on the campus itself and the other in Dartry, where Irish is the daily language of communication. Free classes are held for staff and students on campus every Tuesday. The Cumann Gaelach is one of the largest student Irish societies in the country, and gives Irish a vibrant presence on campus.

Speaking at an Irish Language Reception in College in October 2008, the Provost, Prof John Hegarty, reaffirmed College’s commitment to Irish, instancing the establishment of Oifigeach na Gaeilge as a full-time position, thereby bringing Trinity into line with other third level colleges. The Official Languages Act will play an important role in the future in making Irish more visible on campus. College signage will, in accordance with legislation, be bilingual, with Irish coming before English, and of equal prominence.

In common with other public bodies, College will be called upon at some point to prepare a Language Scheme setting out its commitments to enhance the range of services it makes available through Irish. Currently, all persons have the right to communicate in Irish with College (as an institution) and to receive a reply in that language. Watch out for a special information session on your rights under the Official Languages Act during Éigse week in January.

Each year towards the end of January, Trinity celebrates Irish through the Éigse na Tríonóide festival, with a week of social and cultural events for students organised by the Cumann Gaelach. This cultural celebration features gigs, quizzes, tours, dancing and sport. Oifig na Gaeilge will be cooperating with the Cumann this year in providing some events which will offer College staff and the wider community a chance to participate in the Éigse. By virtue of its unique situation in the heart of Dublin city centre and at the heart of national life, Trinity has an opportunity to become a focus of activity for the Irish language community at large. Irish contributes to linguistic and cultural diversity, and is part of our contribution to multiculturalism. Ní neart go cur le chéile – there is no strength without unity.