I understand that at some point people in Ireland were forced to register their children's names in English thus ensuring that within a very short space of time, Irish (and other) surnames in Ireland were anglicised and that situation remains to this day. Does anyone have information about when that was, how long it lasted and if it was all over the country or if some areas managed to avoid it? My question results from a recent conversation I had where I had to endure criticism for 'complicating everything' by the fact that we have registered our children's names in Irish.

I know I could research this properly elsewhere, but I am secure in the knowledge that somebody here will know all about it and is just waiting for such a question to be asked.....

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From what I remember it became official British policy in Ireland to Anglicize names from the late 1600's, I think by the 1700's and into the 1800's people started translating their own names to the English language. From what I gather it was practical and largely by choice, English was becoming the language of Ireland and people wanted to assimilate & become more socially accepted. Latinizations were applied to Irish names many years before this process, and similar anglicisations happened voluntarily by immigrants into America in the 19 & 20 centuries, albeit not on the scale Irish names were anglicized. The area's where the anglicisation didn't take place as much were obviously in areas where Irish remained the language, ie areas where the British had least influence.

I wouldn't worry about the criticism, I have used my Irish name a lot in the last few years and never had and criticism, people with Irish names are in all walks of life and we are definitely in a place now where it is socially accepted. Personally I will be registering any future kids I have in English and if they want to use their Irish names when their older thats their choice. (Unfortunately maybe) my English name is the name I identify with, despite using my Irish one on my passport, bank etc it just doesn't feel like me, and I never got used to being called it, but thats because I didn't grow up with it I think, Irish was never a language in my house or community so it isn't really 'me' if that makes sense even if I have a big interest in Irish, your children will feel different when they are older

I have no intention of letting it worry me! Thanks for the sentiment. In case I gave the wrong impression, the criticism was not from the recipients of the names, but from a family friend who doesn't know what to call our family!!

For that reason, I didn't change my own name although I'm not sure if I am still glad about that. Anyway, I am who I am! Our children are being brought up with Irish and will attend the local Gaelscoil etc. so it seemed to make perfect sense to register them in Irish to avoid inevitable changing in school and elsewhere. They can do what they like when they are older, but for the same reason you and I did not change our names, I presume they will not change theirs either!

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Yeah that makes sense if they will attend the Gaelscoil and it will be their home language, only natural. We're hoping to get our future kids into the local Gaelscoil but its massively oversubscribed, theres basically no chance you'd get your kids in there unless you went there yourself or you have a big brown envelope! Looks like educate together for them, they'll have to rely on me for their Irish (poor kids!)

Our Gaelscoil has a points system in place. It includes things like age and siblings, but also has a question about Gaeilge sa teach, attendance of the naíonra and the promotion of the Irish language. If your local school has a similar rating system, you may well get a place if you use Gaeilge sa bhaile. As soon as there is a bump, get yourselves ar an liosta! You will find the support of a Gaelscoil invaluable if trying to promote the language at home.

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Yeah after children of former students they do rate ability of the parents in Irish, home language etc which is fair enough. At least I've a few years to get líofa otherwise the small chance of getting in is non existent so much is the demand for the small school here

I would love a parent to take a legal challenge against the state about their right to have their child educated through the first language of the country - it seems like quite a basic right to me. The revival of the language in the Galltacht would be stronger if there were more children having more extensive exposure to it. The number of second level scoileanna lán Gaeilge doesn't seem to be nearly adequate for those leaving the primary scoileanna lán Gaeilge. It's a genuine missed opportunity for the language in far too many cases.

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I think its an ongoing process as more Gaelscoileanna pop up, more demand for Gaelcholáiste will follow, although there they have just granted patronage to two new educate together schools in my area despite parents campaigning for another Gaelscoil but the good news is 2 new Gaelcholáiste are being built in Dublin. We need more though, I know a couple of people who went to bunscoil but then went to English secondary schools and there Irish is pretty poor now, if they had that chance at secondary I dont think they'd of forgotten it so easily after 14 years. Though Im sure it would come back to them very quickly if they started speaking it again but you know as well as I how much everything is English unless you go out of your way.

Unfortunately, that is SO true.

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