Language Freedom Movement

Political movement in 1960s Ireland

Founded in 1966, the Language Freedom Movement (Irish: Gluaiseacht Saoirse Teanga) was a political organisation opposed to some aspects of the state-attempted revival of the Irish language in the Republic of Ireland. This organisation had the backing of several notable Irish-speaking writers including Séamus Ó Grianna ("Máire") and John B. Keane.[1][2]

## The Movement's concerns[edit]

### Examinations[edit]

At the time the Movement was formed, if a student failed the Irish paper in their Leaving Certificate they were deemed to have failed the whole exam.[3] This requirement was abolished in 1973, although students are still obliged to study Irish as part of the Leaving Certificate programme, and a pass is required for Irish students entering almost all Irish universities (but not for foreign students). In 1974 Irish was removed as a requirement for entry to the civil service.[3]

### Textbooks[edit]

Significant changes in the Leaving Certificate maths curriculum were reflected in two new textbooks produced by the Irish Christian Brothers. However, material for the new honours (higher-level) syllabus was offered only in a government-subsidised book in Irish, while the pass (lower-level) material was published in English. The situation continued for several years, until affordable alternative textbooks eventually became available.

## Mansion House meeting[edit]

The Movement organised a meeting in the Mansion House, Dublin on 21 September 1966.[3][4] It was advertised by a poster with a cartoon depicting the "Gaelic language policy" as a well-fed cow sitting atop the educational system.[5] The meeting was chaired by broadcaster Gay Byrne.[5] About 2000 people turned up, though most of them seemed opposed to the Movement.[3][5] Opponents taunted the organisers by waving Union Jacks at them and singing "God save the Queen".[3][5] As John B. Keane got up to speak one man seized an Irish Tricolour from the table used by the movement, shouting that the flag should not be displayed at such a meeting.[3][5] A fight involving ten men broke out and calm was only restored when the LFM agreed to four of their opponents speaking at the meeting.[3]

Gardaí were present. At the request of the organisers, Patrick Byrne TD had asked the Garda Commissioner to ensure law and order prevailed.[6]

Irish language writer Máirtín Ó Cadhain and Mick Ryan, the IRA O/C of Dublin were involved in the disruption of the meeting.[7][8][5]

## See also[edit]

* Language revival
* Comerford, Richard Vincent (2003). Ireland (Inventing the Nation). Bloomsbury USA. pp. 142–152. ISBN 9780340731116.

## Archives[edit]

The archives of the Language Freedom Movement are held at the Library of the National University of Ireland, Galway. See catalogue.

## References[edit]

1. ^ John B Keane, The Guardian, 31 May 2002, retrieved 8 June 2009
2. ^ Wars of Words: The Politics of Language in Ireland 1537–2004, Tony Crowley, Oxford University Press, 2005, ISBN 0-19-927343-X, 9780199273430
3. ^ a b c d e f g From Language Revival to Survival, Donncha Ó hEallaithe, anghaeltacht.net, originally published in Mac Murchaidh, Ciarán (2004). Who Needs Irish?: Reflections on the Importance of the Irish Language Today. Veritas Publications. ISBN 1-85390-777-4., citing Tobin, Fergal (1984). The best of decades: Ireland in the nineteen sixties. Gill and Macmillan.
4. ^ A New History of Ireland, T.W. Moody, F.X. Martin, Francis John Byrne, William E. Vaughan, Art Cosgrove, Dáibhí Ó Crónin, p.445
5. ^ a b c d e f Fallon, Donal (6 February 2019). "Flying Fists, Union Jacks, and the Launch of the Language Freedom Movement". Dublin Inquirer. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
6. ^ Dáil Éireann - Volume 225 – 29 November, 1966 Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
7. ^ Exam success: clever people are not always the intelligent ones, Con Houlihan, Sunday Independent, 23 September 2007, retrieved 1 July 2009
8. ^ Johnston, Roy (2003). Century of Endeavour: A Biographical and Autobiographical View of the 20th Century in Ireland. Academica Press, LLC. p. 203\. ISBN 9781930901766.

## External links[edit]

* Clip of RTE 7 Days report from 1967 (Windows Media Player). News report on the Language Freedom Movement public meeting at the Mansion House.
* James Hardiman Library Archives - G44 - Language Freedom Movement \- archive of materials from 1966 to 1974 held at NUI Galway