More on Ireland’s Dual Language Road signs

Friday 25th September

Further to yesterday’s entry, I have decided that ‘craiceáilte’ is the only word for it. Cén fáth, ós rud é gurb í an Ghaeilge príomh-theanga oifigiúil na tire seo, nach bhfuil gach comhartha nua a thagann ó eagraíocht poiblí dátheangach?

Driving to Leinster House these days involves two different routes depending on the time you are travelling because of the one-way system around College Green. If you’re travelling between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. you have to come from St Stephen’s Green side. If you’re any earlier than 7 a.m. you can drive down by Trinity and along Nassau St.

But the nice digital sign erected by Dublin City Council is not – to my tired morning eyes anyway – bilingual. Not good enough – when you consider how easy it would be for DCC to programme the electronic sign.

Most people are in favour of Irish language, despite some reports from people of bad experiences of Irish at school. The popularity of Gaelscoileanna and Irish-language summer colleges, however, shows that many people have an attachment to Irish that runs very deep, even when they can’t speak it very well themselves.

One way to promote Irish is to work to enhance its public visibility at all times – and surely the State and public sector must give a lead here on all our behalves. The legislation may have been passed but the culture has not yet taken hold. We need bilingual signage that is clear, consistent, accurate and attractive. A bit like meself, really.