A chara, - I read with disbelief the contribution (May 1st) from Gearoid O Bradaigh. I found the invective that unfolded before my eyes hard to believe.
Here was an individual who had been deeply involved in Irish medium education and in the promotion of the Irish language damning not only those pursuits but also the myriad of decent and dedicated people involved therein. What, I wondered, could have provoked such an outpouring of despite; what crime had we all committed?
It wasn't only the bitterness of Gearoid O Bradaigh's attack that astonished me, but the comprehensive and fundamental nature of his assault on the professionalism and judgment of everybody concerned, be they teachers, parents, pupils or apologists. The offence which caused this eruption of loathing remains, however, unclear. Perhaps we will never know. But the scope and bitterness of his assault will shock even those remotely connected with the gaelscoileanna movement.
As Gearoid's damnation of gaelscoileanna is so complete as to be almost fantastic, there is hardly any point in attempting to rescue the golden fleece from his pen. Fantasy and invective are a lethal combination. The thousands who have benefitted from Irish medium education over the years and those still engaged in this imaginative alternative in Irish education know the facts and the extent of the achievement involved in this underfunded and undersupported sector of education in Ireland. It is ironic that on the same day that Gearoid launched his katyusha from Beal Atha Truim, a press conference was held in that town to announce the establishment of a new gaelscoil.
I also find it unfortunate that shallow, albeit well meaning, comments on the standard of Irish in gaelscoileanna by some attracts others with a more vindictive agenda. - Mise le meas,
Uachtaran Ghaelscoileanna, Gaelscoileanna, Carnog Mhuirfean, Baile Atha Cliath 2.