List of Irish-speaking people

List of notable speakers of the Irish language

This article lists notable speakers of the Irish language (Irish: Gaeilgeoir, pl. Gaeilgeoirí).[1]

Douglas Hyde

Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh

Éamon Ó Cuív

Pearse Doherty

Michael D. Higgins

Odhrán Mac Niallais

Some notable fluent Irish language speakers

## List

[edit]

* Vincent Barry (1908–1975), scientist[2]
* Páraic Breathnach (b. 1956), Irish actor, performer, writer and storyteller
* Seán Bán Breathnach[3]
* Kevin Cassidy
* Catherine Connolly[4]
* John Creedon
* Carrie Crowley[5]
* Maura Derrane[6]
* Éamon de Valera
* Pearse Doherty[7]
* Eamon Gilmore[8]
* Arthur Griffith
* Joe Higgins
* Michael D. Higgins[9]
* Douglas Hyde[10]
* Seán Kelly
* Enda Kenny
* Declan Lynch[11]
* Eoghan McDermott[12]
* Thomas MacDonagh
* Seán Mac Fhionnghaile
* Charlie McGeever[13]
* Seán McGinley[14]
* Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
* Odhrán Mac Niallais[15]
* Joe McDonagh[16]
* Aengus Mac Grianna[17]
* Eoin MacNeill
* Manchán Magan[18]
* Micheál Martin
* Sharon Ní Bheoláin[19]
* Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh[20]
* Eimear Ní Chonaola
* Siún Nic Gearailt
* Liadh Ní Riada[21]
* Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin[22]
* Dara Ó Briain
* Eoin Ó Broin
* Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
* Trevor Ó Clochartaigh[4]
* Dara Ó Cinnéide
* Éamon Ó Cuív[23]
* Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh
* Art Parkinson
* Máirtín Ó Direáin
* Seán Óg Ó hAilpín[24]
* Hector Ó hEochagáin[25]
* Breandán Ó hEithir
* Liam Ó Maonlaí
* Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh[26]
* Seán Ó Riada
* Dáithí Ó Sé[27]
* Maidhc Dainín Ó Sé[28]
* Páidí Ó Sé[29]
* Cathal Ó Searcaigh
* Aengus Ó Snodaigh
* Patrick Pearse
* Joseph Plunkett
* Marian Richardson[30][31]
* Gráinne Seoige[32]
* Síle Seoige[33]
* Peadar Tóibín

The following non-natives have been known to use the Irish language:

* Stan Collymore[34]
* Stephen Fry[35]
* Charlie Day[36]

## See also

[edit]

* Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge
* Conradh na Gaeilge
* Gaelic revival
* Gaeltacht
* List of Scottish Gaelic-speaking people
* RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
* Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe
* TG4

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977). "Gaeilgeoir". Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
2. ^ {{https://www.dib.ie/biography/barry-vincent-christopher-a0464
3. ^ "Hall of Fame honour for Seán Bán Breathnach at PPI Awards". RTÉ. 5 October 2012. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2012. "Seán Bán Breathnach ... started his career with Radio Éireann in 1969 when he presented Popseó na Máirte, the first Irish-language pop music show, and became the first Gaeilgeoir pinup."
4. ^ a b "Galway can lead the State in voting for change this month". Galway Advertiser. 11 February 2016. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2016. "Galway West could lead the country in showing this is possible in Ireland - we are unique in having many credible centre-Left candidates in Seamus Sheridan (Green Party), Niall Ó Tuathail (Social Democrats), Catherine Connolly (Independent), and Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Féin)... Three of our candidates – Ó Clochartaigh, Connolly, and Ó Tuathail - are Gaeilgeoirs, with Trevor being the Sinn Féin spokesman for the language and Gaeltacht."
5. ^ "'A Taste of Beckett' at the Theatre Royal". The Munster Express. 13 June 2017. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017. "Carrie Crowley returns to her home city for a five-week residency to play the role of May. Carrie has performed extensively on stage and her return to the Theatre Royal is like coming home for this Waterford Gaeilgeoir."
6. ^ Gittens, Geraldine (11 June 2018). "'It's her choice but there are myths about it' - Language expert on Maura Derrane's decision not to speak Irish with son Cal". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018. "RTE presenter and proud gaeilgeoir Maura Derrane has admitted that doesn't speak her native language with her four-year-old son. Maura, who hails from Inis Mór, speaks Irish on air with her Afternoon Show co-host Dáithí Ó Sé..."
7. ^ Corcoran, Joanne (27 May 2004). "Polls put Pearse in contention". An Phoblacht. Archived from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019. "The Irish language is another issue for Northwestern voters, and it's an issue where Pearse outstrips his rivals. He is a committed Gaeilgeoir and his speech at this year's Stádas march was considered the best of the day."
8. ^ "Please show respect for our language". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 27 January 2011. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2011. "Nessa Childers... has, it seems, nothing better to do than question the use of Irish in the EU institutions... Her party leader Eamon Gilmore, a fluent Irish speaker, has always been very supportive of the language."
9. ^ O'Keeffe, Alan (4 October 2011). "Gaeilgeoir Higgins hopes to talk his way past rivals as candidates face TG4 debate". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
10. ^ Daly, Susan (11 November 2011). "Inauguration of Ireland's first poet-President... in 1938". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 13 November 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011. "As a Gaeilgeoir, poet, academic (and physically, he was apparently a man of small stature), Hyde has much in common with our President-elect."
11. ^ O'Connell, Cian (5 November 2020). "Gaeilge matters deeply to Declan Lynch". Gaelic Athletic Association. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020. "'I'm firmly rooted in the Irish speaking'. That willingness to develop the Irish language and culture is something that matters deeply to Lynch. 'Absolutely, I would speak regularly with friends and family as Gaeilge', Lynch adds."
12. ^ "How DJ Eoghan got his grá don Ghaeilge". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 14 March 2012. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
13. ^ Kenny, Seán (4 August 2008). "Peil-mell in Brandywell as Charlie makes caid of soccer". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 4 December 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2008.
14. ^ Holt, Eddie (7 November 1998). "Poetry and emotion". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2019. "Lipservice (TnaG, Tuesday): Sean McGinley was the examining muinteoir, the sort of testy Gaeilgeoir who features prominently in Leaving Cert nightmares... Holding up a pen to one of the students, McGinley probed for its Irish name. "Mala?" chanced the candidate. "Ni h-ea," said McGinley."
15. ^ McIntyre, Niall. "Odhran Mac Niallais sums up what club is all about in one powerful post-match interview". Archived from the original on 4 December 2018.
16. ^ Connolly, Joe (Autumn 2016). "A sporting tribute". Cois Coiribe. pp. 20–21. "...linguist who did an MA in Celtic Studies, he was fluent in three languages, Irish, English and Welsh... a beautiful singer with a vast repertoire of songs in all three languages... He captained the UCG Freshers to victory in 1972, and made a huge contribution as a midfielder to the UCG Fitzgibbon win in 1977... what was then his sixth Fitzgibbon campaign... He was also a fine footballer, and played in five Sigersons... In November 2015, we organised a 40th reunion in UCG... Joe was invited, but he sent a message of regret "tá mé sinte le núimónia le seachtain san ospideal". Only it wasn't pnemonia, but the insidious cancer that was to claim his life on May 20th, 2016... Joe's son Eoin, himself a warrior of six Fitzgibbon campaigns with UCG, finished his poignant oration at his father's funeral mass by quoting Michéal O'Hehir of RTÉ after Joe had performed on the steps of the Hogan Stand [singing "The West's Awake" after Galway's win in the All-Ireland hurling final of 1980]: "Well done Joe McDonagh"."
17. ^ Moran, Hannah (17 March 2018). "Aengus Mac Grianna signs off ahead of final RTE News broadcast on St Patrick's Day". Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2019. "The gaeilgeoir started working in radio news two years later, before moving into television and landing a spot on the newsreading team."
18. ^ McBride, Charlie (30 August 2018). "'We've encoded our folk memory in language'". Galway Advertiser. Archived from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018. "Globe-trotting Gaeilgeoir extraordinaire, Manchán Magan, brings two delightful interactive shows to the Town Hall Theatre next month, where he will invite audiences to explore and celebrate Irish language and culture."
19. ^ McManus, D. (8 September 2013). "I've no problem with middle age. In my mind I'm still 22, not 42: The iconic RTÉ anchor talks to Darragh McManus about being a Gaeilgeoir, keeping a low-profile and her itchy feet". Sunday Independent?. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
20. ^ Egan, Barry (19 December 2016). "Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh: 'I don't think there is a future for people like me in RTE - I care too much'". Sunday Independent?. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2016. "Further evidence of her lack of bland is that the fiery Gaeilgeoir who grew up in Rathcairn, the Gaeltacht region of Co Meath, once said that she has sex in Irish."
21. ^ "Huge crowds attend Liadh Ní Riada's presidential campaign launch night in Donegal". Donegal Now. 8 October 2018. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2018. "Liadh is a passionate Gaeilgeoir and is in fact the first person from the Gaeltacht to contest a presidential race, and so the fact that the local launch of her campaign is being held right here in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht is very fitting indeed."
22. ^ Notaro, Vicky (1 February 2015). "A single rose: Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin looking forward to a brighter 2015". Sunday Independent?. Archived from the original on 6 May 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015. "Our conversation turns back to the Fleadh, something Aoibhinn herself used to take part in as a child. A gaeilgeoir and trad musician, she's a perfect fit to front the RTÉ show. "For me, Irish culture is so important. I dance, I play, I speak the language, and I think maybe a lot of Irish people don't tap into it as much. It's so great to go to the Fleadh, because it makes you realise how important it all is. People come from all over the world to attend it.""
23. ^ Bradley, D. (28 July 2017). "Dev Óg puts smacht on NUIG with 'Ó Cuív Bill'". Connacht Tribune. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2017. "Éamon Ó Cuív may seem like a gentle giant, and for the most part, he is. But whatever you do, don't mess with Dev Óg's beloved Irish language. Hell hath no fury like a Gaeilgeoir scorned, which NUIG is discovering to its cost. As a fluent speaker, and longstanding supporter of Gaeilge, Éamó is one of the great defenders of the language, which is on the 'endangered species' list."
24. ^ O'Brien, Jason (4 March 2010). "Dancing in streets as stars put in word for cupla focal: Famous Gaeilgeoirs[sic] doing their bit to make Irish sexy". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
25. ^ Reilly, Jerome (18 January 2004). "RTE shuts the gate after bolting horse". Sunday Independent?. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2019. "As well as the irrepressible Navan gaeilgeoir who had spent most of his previous career in the bilingual backwater of TG4, the nation was also introduced to another new star."
26. ^ "Mícheál will celebrate St Patrick's in Listowel". The Kerryman. 28 February 2018. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
27. ^ Griffin, Stewart (20 August 2018). "Dáithí Ó Sé Chats About What It Takes To Host Kerry's Most Prestigious Event". The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show. Today FM. Retrieved 20 August 2018. "We gave the hunky gaeilgeoir a call to hear all about his preparation and how he gets his game face on for a hectic couple of nights on stage (not to mention the build-up over the past few weeks)."
28. ^ "A Gaeilgeoir and champion of Irish language writing". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 31 August 2013. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
29. ^ Counihan, Patrick (17 December 2012). "BBC awards show remembers Gaelic Football legend Paidi O Se". Irish Central. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2012. "Everywhere he appeared he epitomised the game. He was a Gaeilgeoir, almost a historian, nearly a politician."
30. ^ Drama On One (8 March 2019). "Marian Richardson - a radio legend bids farewell". Rte.ie. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
31. ^ "'Forty of the most fulfilling years of my life were spent here' - RTE broadcaster Marian Richardson bids farewell to listeners". independent. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
32. ^ Egan, Barry (2 September 2018). "Grainne: 'Why I'm up for big GAA final'". Sunday Independent. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2018. "The gorgeous Gaeilgeoir... began her career on October 31, 1996..."
33. ^ "Marathon for Cancer Care West". Mayo Advertiser. 15 March 2013. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2013. "Cancer Care West has announced that Síle Seoige will be supporting the charity in this year's Connemara Marathon this April. The Newstalk broadcaster and Gaeilgeoir is organising a team of people including her sister Gráinne as well as chef Clodagh McKenna and models Roz Purcell and Rosanna Davison to take part in the marathon on April 7."
34. ^ Kelly, Niall (30 December 2011). "What the focal? Stan Collymore shows off by tweeting 'as Gaeilge'". Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
35. ^ Reilly, Gavan (2 March 2011). "Here's a peek at Stephen Fry's cameo on Ros na Rún". Archived from the original on 25 October 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
36. ^ "https://twitter.com/alwayssunny/status/1473005280183132167". Twitter. Retrieved 27 January 2023. `{{cite web}}`: External link in ``|title=`` (help)

## External links

[edit]

* v
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Irish language

History|

* Proto-Indo-European
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Sociolinguistics|

* List of Gaeilgeoirí
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Grammar|

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Qualifications|

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Names|

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