Language Freedom Movement

Founded in 1966, the Language Freedom Movement (Irish: Gluaiseacht Saoirse Teanga) was a political organisation opposed to some aspects of the state-attempted revival of the Irish language in the Republic of Ireland, which had the backing of several notable Irish-speaking writers including Séamus Ó Grianna ("Máire") and John B. Keane.[1][2]

The Movement's concerns

Examinations

At the time the Movement was formed, if a student failed the Irish paper in their Leaving Certificate they were deemed to have failed the whole exam.[3] This requirement was abolished in 1973, although students are still obliged to study Irish as part of the Leaving Certificate programme, and a pass is required for Irish students entering certain Irish universities (but not for foreign students). In 1974 Irish was removed as a requirement for entry to the civil service.[3]

Textbooks

Significant changes in the Leaving Certificate maths curriculum were reflected in two new textbooks produced by the Irish Christian Brothers. However, material for the new honours (higher-level) syllabus was offered only in a government-subsidised book in Irish, while the pass (lower-level) material was published in English. The situation continued for several years, until affordable alternative textbooks eventually became available.

Mansion House meeting

The Movement organised a meeting in the Mansion House, Dublin on 21 September 1966.[3][4] About 2000 people turned up, though most of them seemed opposed to the Movement.[3] Opponents taunted the organisers by waving Union Jacks at them.[3] One person seized an Irish Tricolour from the table used by the movement, shouting that the flag should not be displayed at such a meeting.[3] A fight involving ten men broke out and calm was only restored when the LFM agreed to four of their opponents speaking at the meeting.[3]

Gardaí were present. At the request of the organisers, Patrick Byrne TD had asked the Garda Commissioner to ensure law and order prevailed.[5]

Irish language writer Máirtín Ó Cadhain and Mick Ryan, the IRA O/C of Dublin were involved in the disruption of the meeting.[6][7]

End

The Language Freedom Movement later ceased its existence.

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See also
  • Language revival
  • Comerford, Richard Vincent (2003). Ireland (Inventing the Nation). p. 142–152. ISBN 9780340731116.

References
  1. John B Keane, The Guardian, 31 May 2002, retrieved 8 June 2009
  2. Wars of Words: The Politics of Language in Ireland 1537-2004, Tony Crowley, Oxford University Press, 2005, ISBN 0-19-927343-X, 9780199273430
  3. From Language Revival to Survival, Donncha Ó hEallaithe, anghaeltacht.net, originally published in Mac Murchaidh, Ciarán (2004). Who Needs Irish?: Reflections on the Importance of the Irish Language Today. Veritas Publications. ISBN 1-85390-777-4., citing Tobin, Fergal (1984). The best of decades: Ireland in the nineteen sixties. Gill and Macmillan.
  4. A New History of Ireland, T.W. Moody, F.X. Martin, Francis John Byrne, William E. Vaughan, Art Cosgrove, Dáibhí Ó Crónin, p.445
  5. Dáil Éireann - Volume 225 - 29 November, 1966 Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Exam success: clever people are not always the intelligent ones, Con Houlihan, Sunday Independent, 23 September 2007, retrieved 1 July 2009
  7. Johnston, Roy (2003). Century of Endeavour: A Biographical and Autobiographical View of the 20th Century in Ireland. Academica Press,LLC. p. 203. ISBN 9781930901766.
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