417. Grow Gaeilge by degrees

We have a language to save. It’s in big trouble. But we can save it.

The challenge is to speak it. That can be a mental barrier to break for many people who are not used to doing this so start with one phrase for a week. You can stay in English for everything else. Each week add another phrase. Watch your Gaeilge grow. Have fun with it.

Audio & flashcards Months 1-5

Month 1:

The challenge is to ALWAYS say this phrase at the appropriate moment. ANYWHERE. That’s the key.

Week 1: Conas atá tú? to start any conversation with anyone, anywhere. Yes, even with foreigners.

Week 2: Seo duit (when giving stuff). They’ll figure out what you mean.

Week 3: Slán (when leaving). Everyone knows that.

Week 4: Go raibh maith agat (for Thanks)

The first step is the hardest but it’s a mental one. People will know what you mean. People are fond of Irish. They’ll be surprised but give them a little time to see you’re serious about doing this every time. Smile. Pat yourself on the back when the first week is over. That was the hardest part. Now it gets easy.

At the end of each week (or each day) let people know how you got on by tweeting with the hashtag #GrowGaeilge.

This blog will grow with more added each month ☺

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Month 2:

The challenge is to ALWAYS say this phrase at the appropriate moment. ANYWHERE. That’s the key.

Week 1: Aon scéal? to start any conversation with anyone, anywhere. Yes, even with foreigners.

Week 2: Diabhal scéal when you want to say you have no news.

Week 3: Deoch uait? to ask if someone would like a drink.

Week 4: Gabh mo leithscéal to say Excuse me.

Month 3:

The challenge is to ALWAYS say this phrase at the appropriate moment. ANYWHERE. That’s the key.

Week 1: Drochaimsir (if the weather is bad) or Lá Breá (if it’s good).

Week 2: Dheara, ní ag ceasacht ar Dhia é. OK. Only if you are talking to a native speaker 😉

It means it’s not God’s fault.

Tabhair aire (Take care) will do. That’s easier.

Week 3: Caithfidh mé imeacht (to say you have to leave).

Week 4: Slán abhaile.

Try adding iontach (wonderful), togha ( meaning great – rhymes with now a), and fáilte (welcome) into your conversation too if people start to answer you as Gaeilge.

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Mí 4

The challenge is to ALWAYS say this phrase at the appropriate moment. ANYWHERE. That’s the key.

Seachtain 1: An bhfuil tú gaolta le…? Are you related to…? Tá/Níl.

Seachtain 2: An bhfuil baint agat le ….? Do you have anything to do with …? Tá/Níl.

Seachtain 3: Bhfuil tú i do chónaí anseo le fada? Are you living here long?

Seachtain 4: Le …. bliain anuas. For … years now. or Mo shaol ar fad. My whole life.

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Mí 5

Seachtaine 1: Dáiríre? Really? Meas tú? Your think?

Seachtain 2: Ná habair é! No way! A dhiabhal! God!

Seachtain 3. Tá sé fíor. It’s true. Sin a chloisim.That’s what I hear.

Seachtain 4: Scannalach! Scandalous! Is mór an trua é. What a pity!/ Éad orm! I’m jealous!

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416. An Fhírinne faoi Na ‘Troubles’

Níl ‘fhios ag formhór de dhaoine anseo i SAM faoi tada ach an IRA. Níl ár stair acu. Níl ach bolscaireacht acu. Ceapann cuid acu más Éireannach thú agus suim agat sa teanga gur ‘terrorist’ thú. D’fhoghlaim siad é seo ó na meáin. Na meáin a choinnigh an fhírinne uathu. Bhí mé maslaithe mé féin ó dhuine a ghlaíonn Ceilteach ar féin. Ach, le bheith féireáilte, is bulaí aineolach é.

Dó agus do na daoine a thugann níos mó aird & meas dó ná domsa san áit sin, agus do gach duine nach dtuigeann, seo an fhírinne. Foghlaim.

Ceann eile ó Panorama: A License To Kill

415. Fliuch & Salach

Foilsithe ar dtús ar Broadsheet ar 28 Bealtaine 2105

Curtha anseo agam ar fhaitíos go mbeidh sé bainte ón suíomh eile.

GRMA, Catherine. Freagracht de dhíth.

“This bill extends the functions and powers, or seeks to extend the functions and powers of the C & AG [Comptroller and Auditor General] to cover IBRC. It was the Taoiseach that first suggested that the C & AG review the Siteserv sale’s process and it was then pointed out to him that IBRC does not come within his remit.”

“With this Bill, I’m attempting to address that problem by broadening the remit of the C & AG. The reason I’m anticipating the need to involve the C & AG, if not a full Commission of Investigation, which may well be a better option, is because I believe the Government have got this badly wrong, not least because most of the key players in the Siteserv saga have links with KPMG and its eventual purchaser and vice versa, is a web of connections and conflicts, that requires outside eyes to unravel.

I have no doubt that the special liquidator [Kieran Wallace] is more than capable of doing such a review but his direct involvement in the sale process, and his relationship with the eventual purchaser of Siteserv, and his current actions in the High Court, in supporting Mr O’Brien versus RTE, place him in a position where there is, at the very least, a perceived conflict of interest, if not an actual conflict of interest.

The review is not confined to Siteserv but it is the transaction that prompted a review. I would worry about the transactions that have been excluded from the review, given that what we now know, that in the final months before prom night, the relationship between the department and IBRC had completely broken down.

“If deals were being done without the knowledge or input of the minister then we need to know what they were. We are now aware for example that the former CEO of IBRC made verbal agreements with Denis O’Brien to allow him to extend the terms of his already expired loans.

We also know that the verbal agreement was never escalated to the credit committee for approval. I’m led to believe, and I would welcome the minister clarifying, the rates applicable at this time, that the extension also attracted some extremely favourable interest terms.

I understand that Mr O’Brien was enjoying a rate of around 1.25%, when IBRC, and arguably, when IBRC could, and arguably should have been charging 7.5%. We are talking about outstanding sums here that are upwards of €500million. The interest rate applied is not an insignificant issue for the public interest.

We also know that Denis O’Brien felt confident enough, in his dealings with IBRC that he could write to Kieran Wallace, as the special liquidator and demand that the same favourable terms extended to him by way of a verbal agreement could be continued.

We now have Kieran Wallace, who’s been appointed by the Government to conduct a review into the IBRC review, actually joining with IBRC and Denis O’Brien in the High Court and seeking to injunct the information I’ve outlined from coming into the public domain – surely that alone represents a conflict.

In FOI documents released to me, the minister, his officials and the Central Bank and even the Troika acknowledge that IBRC, the former Anglo Irish Bank, is no ordinary bank and there’s a significant public interest because the bank had been fully nationalised and was in wind-down mode.

They all accept that this is the people’s money that we’re dealing with and that there can be no dispute regarding the public interest in this. The same FOI materials detail incidences where the minister can specifically intervene, and issue an ministerial order that material matters have significant interest. Included in these material matters are incidences that are outside the ordinary course of business.

I would argue that what I’ve outlined out here regarding verbal deals, extensions, etc, are outside the normal course of business and I would ask the minister to exercise his right to intervene in the current proceedings and defend the public interest.

“I’ve a motion on the order papers, signed by the majority of the Opposition – 45 members have signed it and more are welcome to – calling for a debate into the proposed review. When I tried to raise it on the order of business, I was silenced and I was told to take it up with my Whip. I am the Whip of the Technical Group and I did raise it at the weekly Whip’s meeting.

The Government Chief Whip told me that they would not be altering the KPMG review, the Government would not be giving time to debate this issue and suggested that we use Private Members’ time.

It’s not just an Opposition issue, minister. This is an issue for all in this house. It’s an issue of serious public concern where there is public money involved and I know, if you got your hands on maybe an extra €20 million, I don’t think you’d have to think too hard on how to spend that money. I urge the Government to reconsider this and give the Bill and the motion the time they deserve. I believe this is in the public interest. Thank you.”

414. Mo shaol i SAM: Memorial Day

Inniu ag an gcafé, am sosa, ag caint le múinteoir eile ón scoil:

Ise: Haaaiigh! An raibh deireadh seachtaine maith agat? An raibh tú ag ceiliúradh?
Mise: Lán le háthas. Bhí! Bhí!

Ise: Gealgháireach. Céard a rinne tú i gcomhair Memorial Day?
Mise: Ciúnas..úps…. Ó raight. … Memorial Day. Ciúnas míchompóirdeach. Mé ag smaoineamh go tapaidh. Er… Nach ócáid shollúnta í sin?

Ise: Ní hea…‘Sé sin le rá… Sea… Beagáinín trína chéile. Bhuel … ag caint go mall ar nós do pháiste beag…smaoiníonn tú ar na saighdiúirí a bhfuair bás ar son ár saoirsí anseo i Meiriceá. Ag fanacht…. Ansin níos láidre. Tá neart tíortha sa domhan gan na saoirsí sin, tá ‘fhios agat! Agus ANSIN bíonn cóisir ag daoine. Mar bhuaigh siad na saoirsí sin dúinn. Ergo et…

Mise: Ciúnas míchompóirdeach. Mé ag smaoineamh ar an bhfocal saoirse san uimhir iolra. Ag smaoineamh ar an méad daoine i bpríosún i SAM, ar Guantánamo, ar… Cé mhéad soicind a bhí mé ciúin?

Ise: Céard a bhí tusa ag ceiliúradh mar sin?
Mise: Lán le háthas… Sábháilte. Ó! Scéal IONTACH. Nár chuala tú é? Bhí sé ar an nuacht ar fud an domhain. Bhí reifreann againn in Éirinn agus anois tá cead ag daoine aerach pósadh.

Ise: Ciúnas míchompóirdeach. Tost fada.
Mise: So, ar ais ar scoil linn?

Ise: Raight. Sábháilte.
________________________
An Sitcom é mo shaol?

413. Ár dTír, Ár gCearta

Cearta do Chuile Dhuine: Céim 1

Ar 22/5/2015 vótáil Éire ar son cearta daonna do ghrúpa amháin a bhí ag fulaingt le fada. Daoine aerach. Ionannas i bPósadh an ceart a bhí i gceist. Bhí an bua ag cearta daonna in aghaidh na hEaglaise mar sin an troid a bhí ann i ndáiríre.

Tháinig daoine amach idir óg is aosta is thaisteal na mílte abhaile ó i bhfad i gcéin lena vótaí a chaitheamh sa reifreann. Deora le fáilte a chur roimh na deoraí ag filleadh. D’ardaigh siad croíthe. Roinn siad a scéalta. Thuig daoine nár thuig cheana. Labhair daoine amach go hoscailte le dóchas.

Spiorad iontach.

Seo mar a bhí daoine ag scríobh faoi #MarRef ar Twitter

 An lá dár gcionn tháinig an ghrian amach, bhailigh daoine le chéile, & bhéic siad in ard a ngutha le háthas nuair a chuala siad na torthaí.

Iad bailithe ag caisleán BÁC. Seo an áit ina bhfuair cuid den tír a saoirse i ndiaidh Éirí Amach 1916. Cuid eile fós ag fanacht ar an saoirse céanna.

Bua iontach amach is amach agus ardáthas orm faoi. Ach amantaí nuair a fhaigheann tú saoirse caithfidh tú smaoineamh ar na daoine nach raibh in ann teacht linn. Iad siúd fós gan cearta. Ar an oileán seo againne tá grúpa sa Tuaisceart a bhíonn fágtha amach ón gcaint tábhachtach rómhinic.

Céim 2: Scar Eaglais ón Stát

Tóg an Tuaisceart Ar Ais

Tá 2016 ag teacht & thar a bheith in am againn Stát & An Eaglais a scaradh i gceart. Bhí an ceart ag an Tuaisceart nuair a dúirt siad Home Rule is Rome Rule fadó. Caithfimid fáil réidh le Greim na hEaglaise & ár saoirse a fháil i gceart. Tá ár gcearta uainn dúinne is dár bpáistí is don tír ar fad.

Aithin Dialathas ar dtús. Aithin go bhfuil greim ag an Eaglais ar an gcóras oideachais agus nár ceart ná cóir sin. Múin eolas ar scoil; fág iompúchán as.

Tar éis na torthaí a fheiceáil, seo a dúirt Diarmuid Martin (eardeaspag): “I ask myself, most of these young people who voted yes are products of our Catholic school system for 12 years. I’m saying there’s a big challenge there to see how we get across the message of the church.”

Bhuel Diarmuid,

Seo a deirimse:

I’m saying there’s a massive need to get the Church out of State education fast and to prosecute Church crimes against humanity in Ireland.

Agus…

1. Ní products muid. Is daoine muid le cearta is bhí orainn troid le fada go láidir lenár gcearta a fháil. D’Eaglais féin a choinnigh na cearta sinn uainn.

2. 12 years in a Catholic School system. Sin 12 years rófhada. An Eaglais a throid in aghaidh ár gcearta i gceannas ar Oideachas? An Eaglais le liosta fada d’uafáisí (Magdalenes, Tuam Babies, Péidifíligh…) i gceannas ar Oideachas? Sin COIR. An aithníonn tú cearta, Diarmuid? An bhfeiceann tú an dochar a dhéanann tú is d’Eaglais? Freagracht uainn. Roinnt mhaith den domhan ag fulaingt chuile lá beo mar gheall ar an dochar a dhéanann sibh.

3. big challenge there to see how we get across the message of the church. Ná bí ag ceapadh gur féidir libh bheith níos láidre ar Dogma as seo amach! Éirigh as oideachas na tíre. Ní chóir go mbeadh baint ar bith agaibh le scoileanna ar chor ar bith. Déan an rud ceart. Éirigh as anois. Dáiríre.

Má táimid ag iarraidh fáil réidh leis an teorainn sa Tuaisceart is ár dtír bheith le chéile arís, bímis réidh le cearta daonna anseo sa chuid a bhfuair saoirse ó Shasana. Faigh saoirse ón Vatacáin & an Dialathas anois. Taispeáin don Tuaisceart gur fiú bheith linn, go bhfuil meas ag ár ndlí ar chearta.

Abair leis na daoine ó thuaidh go bhfuil grá againn dár dtír uilig, gur chuid den tír uilig iad, agus go bhfuilimid ag iarraidh bheith le chéile arís. Scaip an grá. Déan gach rud le fáilte a chur rompu. Meall daoine abhaile. Abair le Sasana go bhfuil sé thar a bheith in am dóibh a rá gur linne ár dtír féin.

Céim 3: Cearta na mBan

Cearta daonna do chuile dhuine. Sin ionannas. Mná na tíre ag fulaingt le fada sa tír seo. Troid in aghaidh na hEaglaise a bheas ann arís. Reifreann nua de dhíth. Súil agam go dtiocfaidh na daoine le chéile arís is go n-inseoidh mná na tíre a scéalta féin. Repeal the 8th an dúshlán romhainn. Is le bean a corp féin. Tabhair meas di agus a cearta. An iomarca cásanna mar Savita agus an X-Case agus Magdalenes agus mar sin de. Tuigeann bean céard is féidir léi a dhéanamh agus cathain. Ná cuir náire uirthi. Ná bíodh fir ná bunúsachaí ag rá léi nach dtuigeann sí is go gcaithfidh fir na hEaglaise an rogha a dhéanamh di ar a son. Aithin fuath ban. Aithin na mílte ag éalú faoi náire. Aithin cos ar bolg. Ceartaigh é dúinne is dár bpáistí.

Maith sibh, chuile dhuine a rinne stair ar an 22 Bealtaine 2015. Chaith sibh vótaí agus thug sibh teachtaireacht láidir don Eaglais. Creidimid i gcearta.

Nach maith sin. Nach maith sinn!

Fís anseo

Seo mar a rinne sibh é: le grá

♥

Roghnaigh sibh go maith!

412. Gabh i Leith ♫

Amhrán Oasis as Gaeilge le Seo Linn

Curtha anseo inniu in ómós don reifreann ar 22/5/2015.

Liricí

1. Gabh i leith X2 Beidh sé togha. Níl aon rud mícheart leis.

Come here X2. It will be fine. There’s nothing wrong with it.

Beidh ár n-am ag teacht ach anois tá fonn orm dul thar fóir.

Our time will come but right now I want to go overboard.

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Curfá

Mar tá muid anseo ag deireadh an lae.

Because we are here at the end of the day.

Le chéile go deo. Is cuimhin linn é

Together forever. We remember it.

Ná bí buartha anois faoi chúrsaí inné.

Don’t be troubled now by things that are past.

Tosóidh saol nua X2

A new life will begin. X2

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2. Gabh i leith. X2 Cén fáth nach féidir leat aon rud a rá?

Come here. X2  Why can’t you say anything?

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Curfá X2

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Curfá

Tosóidh saol nua

A new life will begin.

411. Reifreann 2015: Grá nó Gráin?

http://https://twitter.com/HailoIreland/status/600695915997843457