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. This organisation 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 almost all 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] It was advertised by a poster with a cartoon depicting the "Gaelic language policy" as a well-fed cow sitting atop the educational system.[5] The meeting was chaired by broadcaster Gay Byrne.[5] About 2000 people turned up, though most of them seemed opposed to the Movement.[3][5] Opponents taunted the organisers by waving Union Jacks at them and singing "God save the Queen".[3][5] As John B. Keane got up to speak one man seized an Irish Tricolour from the table used by the movement, shouting that the flag should not be displayed at such a meeting.[3][5] 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.[6]

Irish language writer Máirtín Ó Cadhain and Mick Ryan, the IRA O/C of Dublin were involved in the disruption of the meeting.[7][8][5]

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

Archives

The archives of the Language Freedom Movement are held at the Library of the National University of Ireland, Galway. See catalogue.

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. Fallon, Donal (6 February 2019). "Flying Fists, Union Jacks, and the Launch of the Language Freedom Movement". Dublin Inquirer. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  6. Dáil Éireann - Volume 225 – 29 November, 1966 Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Exam success: clever people are not always the intelligent ones, Con Houlihan, Sunday Independent, 23 September 2007, retrieved 1 July 2009
  8. 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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