We've read to our daughter from day one. She always liked hearing our voices, even before she really had an understanding of language. I don't see how it could hurt, so long as you and she are both enjoying the activity.

Redwolf

Hearing mummy and daddy's voices is very reassuring and soothing for babies and young children (especially if the parent's are not fighting ). In that respect hearing your voice is important for association with the language. But if you are listening to the CDs instead of reading aloud yourself, then reinforcing the experience by snuggling up with the child or children in a comfy chair, etc., adds to the positive experience (besides helping _you_ bond with them).

Hearing the sounds of the language in those (peaceful) circumstances really creates a lasting "impression" on the child (not that we are trying to "brainwash" them or anything )

Research has shown that children learn more in the presence of a parent, especially the mother, and in places where they have a sense of security. That is why a supportive home environment and schools that try to replicate that secure environment (where the children don't feel afraid of the teacher or other students) are very important in a child's early education.

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Múinteoir Gaeilge - Irish Teacher
My "specialty" is Connemara Irish, particularly Cois Fhairrge dialect, but I can also speak Ulster and Munster Irish with native-level pronunciation.
Is fearr Gaeilge ḃriste ná Béarla cliste, cinnte, aċ i ḃfad níos fearr aríst í Gaeilge ḃinn ḃeo na nGaeltaċtaí.
Gaeilge Chonnacht (GC), go háraid Gaeilge Chois Fhairrge (GCF), Gaeilic Uladh (GU), Gaelainn na Mumhan (GM), agus Gaeilge an Chaighdeáin Oifigiúil (CO).

Also, if either you or your partner enjoy singing, that can be another way to help your child engage positively with the language from the very beginning. Music is powerful in that it engages both emotion and memory, and singing Irish lullabies, as well as "fun" songs as the child grows older (such as "Lámh, Lámh Eile") is a wonderful way to reinforce both your own and your child's language skills.

To get an idea of just how powerful music is as a memory aid, just think of all the people who, even as adults, find themselves humming the alphabet song when they're filing something or looking something up in an alphabetized list!

You DO NOT have to have the voice of an angel to do this...trust me! I hear "Oh, I have a terrible singing voice!" all the time from parents as an excuse not to sing to and with their children, and it simply doesn't hold water. Unless you're truly tone deaf (And tone deafness is actually extremely rare. If you can hum "Happy Birthday to You" or "Three Blind Mice," you are NOT tone deaf!), you can and should sing to your children.

There are lots of lovely Irish songs for children out there, both traditional and modern.

Redwolf

But to help you out, Ceol na Mara is absolutely gorgeous and I refuse to believe ANYONE who plays this to children and who claims not to end up singing along with it. For the record, anything that Futa Fata produces is worth buying - they are fantastic. Leaving a cd in the car if you have regular journeys with children is a great way of ensuring it is played regularly. Ceol na Mara does not have traditional songs and rhymes, but has an entire cd of new songs about the sea and the characters who live there. Is aoibhinn liom é! The accompanying words and explanations of phrases are very helpful for learners too. http://www.futafata.ie/product_info.php?products_id=24

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I think I've mentioned this before - either here or at the other place - there's Christina Stewart in Scotland who for quite some time now, has been organising sessions with young mothers and anyone else who's interested, to teach them traditional Scots and Scots Gaelic lullabies. Her project was backed by among others Comunn na Gáidhlig and consists of two CDs, her website (www.kistodreams.org), and on-going workshops and performances. As far as I am aware no similar projects in the Gaeltacht have been envisaged, which is a pity. Apart from the CD Suantraí which I've mentioned above, I can also recommend the CD Codail a Mhuirnín which comes with a bilingual songbook which also includes the music score. Here in France it's quite often that you can get CDs with bilingual songbooks in regional languages - for example in Breton: Comptines et Berceuses de Bretagne (Didier Jeunesse) by Annie Ebrel and Yann-Fañch Kemener, Kalon ur Vamm Vols 1 & 2 (Kerig & Coop Breizh) by Sophie Le Hunsec, Diskannoù-Chantons en Breton (Dastum) which are not only useful for those families who need them, but raise the profile of the language in a meaningful and intelligent way, so that people who know very little about the language in question can get a real 'taste' of it, which I think is important too.
(and I forgot to mention Gascaint earlier )

I love Raghnall Rón. Maidhc Ó Conghaile is a great little singer. Obviously a Conamara lad.

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It is recommended that you always wait for three to agree on a translation.
I speak Connemara Irish, and my input will often reflect that.
I will do an mp3 file on request for short translations.
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Sin an cheann is fearr liomsa freisin. To whet the appetite of those unfamiliar with it, it is about a seal who is fed up of being in the circus and wants to go back home to Conamara - and who could blame him.....!

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How do you know he isn't an American Navy SEAL in disguise?

Is nobody above suspicion these days? Poor old Raghnall Rón is the most loveable character there is and you are trying to turn him into Steven Seagal!

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I definitely agree with this! At least in Munster Irish, I think it's a bit better in the other dialects. Understanding the number five alone is tough going!

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The dialect I use is Cork Irish.
Ar sgáth a chéile a mhairid na daoine, lag agus láidir, uasal is íseal