Dia dhaoibh as Maryland!

Robert Mag Uidhir is ainm dom.

I am a rank beginner in Irish and I yearn for the day when I will be able to write an entire
post in Irish! I know, I set the bar low!

I am first generation American, originally from New York. My father was born and raised
in Leitrim, while my mother is from Mayo (God help us!). Sad to say, I probably already
speak more Irish than they did. When they grew up in Ireland (during the early 20th century), I'm
not sure Irish was as emphasized in school as it is today. None of my aunts or uncles spoke much
Irish either, while quite a few of my cousins speak it, a few quite fluently.

Anyway, I travel "home" quite often, the last time in May 2013 and I finally decided that I would
like to learn the language. Luckily for me, there are courses offered in Washington, DC, the beginner
level of which I just started a few weeks ago.

I've also invested in "Buntus Cainte," the self-paced course, as well as Spoken World Irish. I have studied
languages before. Russian, Spanish, German. I'm hoping that experience will help me with this very, very
different language.

Thanks for listening and

Slan abhaile!

Robert Maguire

Dia dhuit a chara - fáilte romhat.
Franc

Fáilte go ILF, a chara. Next time you come 'home', you could try to incorporate a week long emersion course to give your efforts a boost. Ask whatever questions you want here - no task too small. All questions are interesting to somebody and all answers are helpful to a few so all contributions are very welcome. Go n'éirí leat, a chara.

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Tá fearadh na fáilte romhat isteach, a chara.

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Bí cinnte de go nglacfaidh triúr le gach aistriúchán a thabharfar.
Be sure to get three in agreement with a translation given.

Fáilte go dtí an fóram! I agree with Saoirse...next time you're in Ireland, it's well worth taking an immersion course, even as a beginner (and they're a lot of fun, too!).

Redwolf (who is already homesick for Oideas Gael!)

Oh, yes, I would be very interested in something like that. I would imagine there would be courses like that in Dublin. I spend a fair amount of time with cousins in Templeogue.

I also notice that you're in Kildare. Do they have courses like that in or near Naas? I have another cuz who lives there with her family.

I searched for a website on courses there, but with no luck. Do you know of a website?

GRMA agus

Go n'eiri an bothar leat!

Robert

For the best chance of emersion, you really need to head to a Gaeltacht. You will find courses/classes in Dublin and Kildare, but they will be for only an hour or two a week. it sounds like you would benefit best from a full week diving in head first! After doing some ground work (as you are doing), you will benefit all the more from the experience.

Baile Átha Cliath/Dublin: https://cnag.ie/ga/cúrsaí/cúrsaí-i-mbaile-átha-cliath.html

Cill Dara/Kildare: http://www.sultnasollan.ie/ranganna-gaeilge.html

http://www.kildare.ie/community/notices ... _langu.asp

Táim cinnte go bhfuil níos mó ar fáil, ach ceapaim go mbeadh seachtain in áit mar seo níos oiriúnaí duitse.
I am certain there are more available, but I think a week in a place like this would be more suitable for you.

http://www.oideas-gael.com/en/irish-courses/

Drag one of the Irish cousins; I bet they'd love it.

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Go raibh maith agat, a Saoirse! And I will drag one of the cuzzes along! I did look for some courses in the Gaeltacht and I found something that seems to fit the bill in Donegal.

http://www.oideas-gael.com/en/

Fingers crossed that I can make a trip over there this year.

Thanks again!

Robert

Whoops! Should have read to the bottom of your post! Sheesh!

Great minds think alike!

If you manage to get to an Oideas Gael course, ask Redwolf for a few recommendations about the place. A one-liner about Oideas Gael will set her off for at least a page in response with suggestions, tips etc.! She's an Irish woman locked in the body of an American. A few other members have been too and it seems to come highly recommended.

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