THE IRISH LANGUAGE AND THE IRISH PEOPLE (Report on the Attitudes towards, Competence in and Use of the Irish Language in the Republic of Ireland in 2007-’08)

MICHEÁL MAC GRÉIL, S.J.

(Author and Research Director)

Fergal Rhatigan, M.Soc.Sc. (Senior Research Officer)

FOREWORD By Maolsheachlainn Ó Caollaí Iar-Uachtarán, Conradh na Gaeilge Survey and Research Unit, Department of Sociology, National University of Ireland Maynooth. © Micheál Mac Gréil, S.J. 2009

THE IRISH LA1GUAGE A1D THE IRISH PEOPLE (Report on the Attitudes towards, Competence in and Use of the Irish Language in the Republic of Ireland in 2007-’08)

MICHEÁL MAC GRÉIL, S.J. (Author and Research Director) Fergal Rhatigan, M.Soc.Sc. (Senior Research Officer)

FOREWORD By Maolsheachlainn Ó Caollaí Iar-Uachtarán, Conradh na Gaeilge

Survey and Research Unit, Department of Sociology, National University of Ireland Maynooth. © Micheál Mac Gréil, S.J. 2009

The Irish Language and the Irish People 2007 -’08 Table of Contents Table of Contents List of Tables List of Figures Author’s Acknowledgements FOREWORD by Maolsheachlainn Ó Caollaí

i ii iv v vi

Chapter One -

Introduction

1

Chapter Two -

Aspirations for the Future of Irish (and Change of Attitudes toward it after Leaving School) 1. Introduction and General Findings 2. Aspirations by Personal Variables 3. Attitudes towards Irish when in School and Now 4. Conclusion

5 6 9 22 35

Chapter Three -

Self-perceived Competence in Irish 1. Introduction and General Findings 2. Competence by Personal Variables 3. Conclusion

37 38 43 53

Chapter Four -

Frequency and Occasions of Use of Irish 1. Introduction and General Findings 2. Frequency of Use by Personal Variables 3. Occasions of Use of Irish 4. Norms Restricting the Use of Irish

56 57 62 73 81

Chapter Five -

Irish as the Basis of Common Identity and Attitudes towards Irish Speakers 1. Introduction and General Findings 2. Irish as a Basis of Unity by Personal Variables 3. Attitudes towards Irish Speakers 4. Conclusion

85 86 93 100 107

Summary and Conclusions 1. Summary of Findings 2. Conclusions and Recommendations

108 109 119

Bibliography Appendices: 1- Path Analysis; 2- Achoimre Gaeilge

124 127

Chapter Six

-

i

List of Tables Table No. 2.1

Aspirations for the Irish Language of the Total Sample And of Irish-Born Respondents

6

Table No. 2.2

Aspirations for the Irish Language (1972-73 – 2007-08)

7

Table No. 2.3

Aspirations for the Future of Irish of Irish-Born by Personal Variables

Table No. 2.4

Attitudes of Irish-Born towards Irish when at School and Now

22

Table No. 2.5

Changes in Attitudes towards Irish (at School & Now) 1988-89 and 2007-08

24

Table No. 2.6

Attitudes toward Irish when at School and Now by Personal Variables

26

Table No. 3.1

Competence in Irish of Total Sample and of Irish-Born

39

Table No. 3.2

Changes in Competence in Irish since 1972-73

42

Table No. 3.3

Competence in Irish of Irish-Born by Personal Variables

Table No. 4.1

Frequency of Use of Irish by Total Sample and the Irish-Born

58

Table No. 4.2

Changes in the Frequency of the Use of Irish from 1972-73 to 2007-08

59

Table No. 4.3

Occasions when Irish Is Used by the Irish-Born Sample

60

Table No. 4.4

Comparison between Patterns of Use in 19