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College Tribune | February 3rd 2009
News
Opinion
FAUSTUS Back Supping with the devils Valentine’s day. For a correspondent as humble and learned as myself, this means one thing. All 22,000 students of this lairy concourse are blessed with the sight of five very lonely, desperately sad sabbatical lotharios. But more importantly, so much more importantly, to everyone but the real world that is- are the elections which are creeping up on us like ex-dates also on the love circuit this February 14th. The following conversation was witnessed by yours truly, between one Irish enthusiast, one El Presidente O Dea, and one presidential candidate very keen to bond with the others. Of course, the topic was elections. (This is the only topic for these hip youngsters). Candidate number one declared “I’ve heard of another who is definitely running for election”, he says with raised eyebrows, fervent eyes and breathless tones. O Dea looks down on him through glasses that should have stayed home last night. Genuine concern flits across his face. The touching moment lingers on. And the awkwardness sets in- and to be fair, this is a trait displayed in abundance by our ‘leader’, seen in his dropping every item he holds addressing council and
generally looking puzzled when four or five pretty little things couldn’t hold back the abundant laughter. He administers an almighty man slap to the back of the candidate, proclaiming gruffly, “You’re not worried now, no no...”. The response is breath-taking. Staccato, said with many glances around, come the words “to be honest.. I really pity anyone running against me.” Ever the humble politicial wannabes. The Irish enthusiast also present did not look too impressed. The name Paul Lynam popped up. But accidentally, of course. The three disbanded, clearly self alarmed at the words exchanged, for they had far reaching and deep consequences in the paths of these three. O Dea went back to doing some ridiculous dance on the concourse, hoping to god he was cool. Well sure his friends think he’s cool. All that matters. Don’t let the bullies get to you. Finally, how are our officers most likely to spend their Valentine’s Day? Aodhan will be in Wexford, he’s very close to getting his class rep deposit back rumour has it. O’Neill will take his other half to a powerpoint on how their future will never entail fees. Redmond will be taking his current squeeze to some Z class gig for free, Fingleton will make use of the supplies he cheaply supplied to the yabbering campus, maybe, and who’s left.... Oh, Lynam. Even Faustus won’t contemplate. Yours with no love, romance, or any of that,
A legal alien - An Irishwoman in New York I have been living in New York City since June 2003 teaching Irish. My father spoke Irish to me growing up in Dublin. I went to Scoil Naithí in Ballinteer then onto Coláiste Íosagáin in Stillorgan. I have such fond teenage memories of Coláiste Íosagáin. I feel it carved my character and was responsible for the strong passionate relationship I have with Irish today. I obtained my B.A. and M.A. in U.C.D and then left for the United States. I have been teaching Irish at The City University of New York and The Irish Arts Center in Manhattan since. I also write a weekly bi-lingual (Irish/English) column for The Irish Echo Newspaper about my life. I have written about everything from being a single girl in New York, the dating scene, my favourite bar in NYC which is Solas (9th Street between 2nd & 3rd Ave.) to my 101 year old Nana who still lives in Ballina, Mayo and how I miss my friends and family in Ireland as well as missing Superquinn rashers and sausages, Barry’s Tea, Hula Hoops and Malteasers but it’s the price you have to pay to live in New York! All my columns are written in Irish then translated into English. I wanted to prove that you can live in New York but speak and work through Irish everyday of your life. I hope to publish a book with a collection of my columns in the near future. I suppose my column is modelled on Carrie’s ‘Sex and the City’ column although they usually turn out more like Bridget Jones disasters as my love life has been a little unpredictable at times! I founded the Irish Arts Center’s ‘Gaelic Kids’ programme where children aged 5+ learn the Irish language as I feel teaching children Irish is the best possible way to ensure the Irish language continues to thrive both in Ireland and throughout the United
Elaine Ní Bhraonáin “The Irish language is alive and kicking but it has to be treated with the respect it deserves. It is not an archaic language, Irish is hot right now”
States of America. My ambition in life is to open an Irish language Elementary School in New York City. Children from all other nationalities can attend schools where they belong examples being, French, Chinese German Schools and where they can learn their native language so why not Irish? It would be an amazing opportunity for an Irish / Irish American child to be able to attend an Irish school in Manhattan. Presently, I am pursuing my Ph D though Queens University, Belfast on the subject of ‘The Irish Diaspora in New York’. It’s an exciting topic but I have a lot of work ahead of me. I have always said that “I want to do to the Irish language what Michael Flatley did for Irish dancing”. I live by the Irish language. It’s not simply a hobby but a way of life. The Irish language is alive and kicking but it has to be treated with the respect it deserves in order to keep it flowing naturally through future generations. In my opinion, part of being an Irish person is having respect for the language. It is not an archaic language, Irish is hot right now. It hasn’t been in such a good state for hundreds of years. People’s attitudes to Irish have changed but there still is a constant battle with it but hopefully this will continue to change. Afterall, can a person really call themselves ‘Irish’ without making some sort of an effort to learn and respect Ireland’s 1st official language? The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese became fluent in Irish as an adult and so can you, so brush up on the Irish that you have or if you don’t have any, now is the time to take a beginners course. Go n-éirí libh.