The book offers a comprehensive overview of forms of modern Irish within a general linguistic framework. Starting with information on the sociolinguistics of modern Irish and on the overall sound system of the language, it then proceeds with a tripartite division of the present-day language into northern, western and southern Irish. It gives specific information on the features of each dialect and considers many sub-divisions, using maps and tables to illustrate clearly what is the subject of discussion. There are several innovations in the book, such as a system of lexical sets which facilitate the description and analysis of variation and change in modern Irish. The data for the book stems from recordings of more than 200 speakers and all the statements made about the structure of Irish are based on native speakers' speech samples. These are supplied online with a software interface which allows users to quickly orient themselves among the varieties of Irish via clickable maps. A number of further issues are focused on in the book, such as the possibility of dialect reconstruction and the use of place-name evidence for determining the earlier distribution of Irish. Additional historical and background information is provided so that scholars and students without any previous knowledge of the language can readily grasp the themes and issues discussed.

The Sound Structure of Modern Irish contains a comprehensive description of the phonology of Irish. Based on the main forms of the language, it offers an analysis of the segments and the processes in its sound system. Each section begins with a description of the area of phonology which is the subject - such as stress patterns, phonotactics, epenthesis or metathesis - and then proceeds to consider the special aspects of this subject from a theoretical and typological perspective. The book pays particular attention to key processes in the sound system of modern Irish. The two most important of these are palatalisation and initial mutation, phenomena which are central to Irish and the analysis of which has consequences for general phonological theory. The other main emphasis in the book is on a typological comparison of several different languages, all of which show palatalisation and/or initial mutation as part of their systems. The different forms of Celtic, Slavic languages, Romance dialects and languages along with languages such as Finnish, Fula, Nivkh and Southern Paiute are considered to find out how processes which are phonetic in origin (external sandhi) can become functionalised and integrated into the morphosyntactic system of a language.

Colloquial Irish 2 is the ideal way to refresh your knowledge of the language and to extend your skills from the beginner level to advanced beginner. Structured to give you the opportunity to listen to and read plenty of modern, everyday Irish, Colloquial Irish 2 builds on the skills acquired in Colloquial Irish by expanding vocabulary, increasing awareness of grammar rules and building spoken fluency while dealing with many of the same communicative themes. The popular Cois Fharraige dialect from West Galway continues to be the main focus of the book. With dialogues, vocabulary, grammatical explanations and cultural points based around communicative themes, as well as free sound files online, recorded by native speakers of the dialect, Colloquial Irish 2 provides everything the advanced beginner needs to take their language skills to the next level. Free sound files, recorded by native speakers of the dialect, are available at www.routledge.com/cw/colloquials.

Specially written by experienced teachers, this easy to use and completely up-to-date course provides a step-by-step approach to spoken and written Irish with no prior knowledge of the language required. What makes Colloquial Irish your best choice in personal language learning? emphasis on the language of East Connemara, with a clear pronunciation guide and an appendix on dialectal differences within Irish stimulating exercises with lively illustrations effective combination of language points, dialogues and cultural information Irish/English and English/Irish word lists. By the end of this rewarding course you will be able to communicate confidently and effectively in Irish in a broad range of everyday situations. Audio material to accompany the course is available to download free in MP3 format from www.routledge.com/cw/colloquials. Recorded by native speakers, the audio material features the dialogues and texts from the book and will help develop your listening and pronunciation skills.

This book offers the first full-length study of the education of children living within the Gaeltacht, the Irish-speaking communities in Ireland, from 1900 to the present day. While Irish was once the most common language spoken in Ireland, by 1900 the areas in which native speakers of Irish were located contracted to such an extent that they became clearly identifiable from the majority English-speaking parts. In the mid-1920s, the new Irish Free State outlined the broad parameters of the boundaries of these areas under the title of ‘the Gaeltacht’. This book is concerned with the schooling of children there. The Irish Free State, from its establishment in 1922, eulogized the people of the Gaeltacht, maintaining they were pious, heroic and holders of the characteristics of an invented ancient Irish race. Simultaneously, successive governments did very little to try to regenerate the Gaeltacht or to ensure Gaeltacht children would enjoy equality of education opportunity. Furthermore, children in the Gaeltacht had to follow the same primary school curriculum as was prescribed for the majority English speaking population. The central theme elaborated on throughout the book is that this schooling was one of a number of forces that served to maintain the people of the Gaeltacht in a marginalized position in Irish society.

Intermediate Irish is a jargon-free workbook examining the most commonly used grammatical structures within the Irish language. Focusing on the repeated use of grammatical patterns, the Grammar develops an understanding of the structures presented, making the forms familiar and automatic for learners. This user-friendly workbook includes: terminology introduced and explained with multiple examples exercises in the grammatical forms introduced in the text translation exercises an exercise key.

Ireland, from the European Nations series, is a useful reference guide for any student interested in the modern history of Ireland.

A guide to traveling in Ireland, covering both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, with descriptions of places to visit, things to do, annual festivals, and sporting events, as well as listings of places to eat, drink, and stay for every budget. Includes maps.

Where previous histories of Ireland in the war years have focused on high politics, That Neutral Island mines deeper layers of experience. Stories, letters, and diaries illuminate this small country as it suffered rationing, censorship, the threat of invasion, and a strange detachment from the war.

First Published in 2007. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.