Imasha Costa: As a migrant, learning Irish is my favourite way to integrate

Irish Examiner

2 days ago

One of the first things they teach you in Irish class is 'How are you?' and 'Where do you come from?'; sentences which help you illustrate your identity as you communicate in a new language.
Last autumn, after celebrating five years of leaving everything behind and moving to Ireland, I decided it was time that I would learn Irish. This would have been my fifth language, and I knew it would help me integrate into Irish society further.
If having a thick Cork accent was not enough, I now wanted to learn Irish, be able to order a pint of Guinness or Beamish at the bar as gaeilge, and finally try to understand a conversation that is being shared in Irish.
My alma mater was offering Irish classes for adults at different levels, from beginners to intermediate, and I felt this was the perfect place to dip my toes in and learn.
Learning a new language can be daunting at times; there are moments when you may feel lost and confused, but I knew I was enjoying every second of my two-hour-long evening classes, including the scheduled tea break.
But I did not expect that these classes would end up with a trip to a Gaeltacht in West Kerry. It was there that I fell deeply in love with the Irish language, and the culture.
It was a bleak May weekend, the rolling hills of the Kingdom covered with thick fog as we made our way West, entering the Gaeltacht. Dingle Bay was hidden away under the dense cloud as we drove along winding roads, salty air kissing our cheeks as we drove with the car windows down.
We were 13 people from the adult course, staying in the village of Ballyferriter, a single street of four pubs, no shop and battering winds that push you back as you walk against them.
During the weekend, a seanchaí told his family story. He told us about the history of West Kerry, how he only knew how to make the sign of the cross in Irish, and called the former minister of education Donogh O'Malley, who made secondary education free, his hero.
At the pubs in the village, I ordered rounds of pints, asked how much a Guinness cost (€5.50), in Irish. I also met some of the Irish Rugby sevens team who were travelling around West Kerry.
I love Ireland with my whole heart. But, Ballyferriter made me fall deeply in love with the Irish language and the people. File picture: Don MacMonagle
I met a man from Cork City who now lives in Ballyferriter, locals who said I had the blas in English and in my beginner's level Irish. I sang Siúil a Rúin to a crowd in pub number two before being asked to give another tune. We sat drinking pints, chatting away and listening to stories before we were told to leave the pub well after closing time.
We sheltered under the rain in Tigh Áine, near Dun Chaoin, eating our lunch as we stared out at the Atlantic Ocean. We spent time in the Blasket Island centre – reading and listening in Irish.
The words of Muiris Ó Súilleabháin were etched into the wall at the centre. They will forever sit with me: '… 'But if you are not an Irishman', said he again, 'what are you?' 'A Blasket man, my boy, ' says I.'
My heart was full of grá as I left West Kerry, knowing fully well that I would come back to see warm hearts and newfound friends who offered me the opportunity to milk their cows.
Migrants like me have been taking it upon themselves to learn the Irish language, and according to a recent study from the University of Galway, offering migrants the opportunity to learn the Irish language could help with integration in some rural communities across the country.
Imasha Costa: 'I am proud to be one of these migrants learning the language and supporting the current generation and the resurgence of the Gaelic culture.' File picture: Larry Cummins
Ireland has been seeing an increasing migrant population, which has led to larger communities and the need for more support to help with integration. I am proud to be one of these migrants learning the language and supporting the current generation and the resurgence of the Gaelic culture.
Almost every second person I know is a Gaelgeoir, and they have been so welcoming to a migrant like myself who has just a few phrases or sentences to carry some conversation. We are welcomed with open arms, and there is no problem with correcting our pronunciation.
This August, I will be celebrating six years living in this beautiful country, which has welcomed me and made me feel like I am home. I love Ireland with my whole heart. But, Ballyferriter made me fall deeply in love with the Irish language and the people.
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