Learning Irish Gaelic

[Angry Young and Red]

I'm going to Ireland and Scotland next summer, and as I've heard that 1/3rd of the Irish population can speak Irish Gaelic fluently I'd like to learn as much Irish Gaelic as possible 'til then, 'cause I would prefer to speak that than english as much as possible, just because I love the language. I just started studying it this weekend.

I've downloaded tons of different school material and similar which I plan to study for a while every day, but I was wondering if some of you guys have any tips along the way, or any idea of how much I'll be able to learn 'til next year if I stick to my plan of studying for perhaps an hour each day in one year.

Oh and, if you have any extra good courses or such, I'd appreciate them as well, Mo Charas. :cool:

(Oh and also, I'd very much appreciate reading tips about good leftwing books about Ireland and Scotland 'til then, especially about the English-Irish Conflict, but as this is the wrong thread for such stuff please send them in PMs please:) )

[crazyirish93]

1/3rd is probably being very optimistic for people speaking it fluently English unfortunately is most ppl's primary language and the best way to learn is to try speak it learning it through writing as i was thought in school is useless in the extreme.

[Prometeo liberado]

When I was in the Aran Islands I could not understand the Gaelic spoken there, I could however vaguely understand what was barely spoken in the mainland. My point is that even if you do get a handle on the language your next hurdle will be the different dialects.

[crazyirish93]

there isnt too much difference between dialects really just learn one the rest is just common sense people's accents will be a bigger problem :P

[ellipsis]

You can practice in the Gaelic language subforum here on RL.