[EDLING:277] Ireland: Learning the language...but hardly any native speakers go to Gaelgoir pre-schools

[Francis M. Hult]

Independent.ie

Learning the language . . . but hardly any native speakers go to Gaelgoir pre-
schools

NATIVE Irish-speaking children are few and far between in Irish language pre-
schools (naionrai) in the Kerry and Mayo Gaeltacht. 

There were only three native Irish speakers attending naionrai in the Kerry 
Gaeltacht during the school year 2004 to 2005, while none of the 84 children 
attending naionrai in Mayo were native Irish speakers. 

The figures are confirmed in the annual report of Comhar Naionrai na 
Gaeltachta, which oversees naionra curriculum and training. 

Over half of the children in Kerry naionrai had no understanding whatsoever of 
Irish. The figures are stronger, however, in the Galway and Donegal Gaeltacht. 
In Galway, a quarter of all children in naionrai were native Irish speakers, 
although a further 16pc had no understanding of the language. 

Full story:
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/learning-the-language----but-hardly-any-
native-speakers-go-to-gaelgoir-preschools-955479.html