Sir, - As a Leaving Cert student, I wish to applaud Kevin Myers for his comments on the teaching of the Irish language (February 27th). Out of 120 students in my year, I think it is fair to say that more than 80 per cent of them would rather not learn it. People don't like being told what to do. Surely it is better for 20 people to learn the language voluntarily, than for 120 people to sleep through a subject which they have no intention of learning.
The Minister for Education should learn from the mistake that her department made nearly 75 years ago, under the then Minister for Education, Eoin MacNeill. For 20 years the Irish language had prospered, mostly due to the organisation which he himself founded in 1893 - the Gaelic League.
People voluntarily gave up their time and began the daunting task of learning a new language. This trend continued until the Free State was set up. MacNeill, in his wisdom, decided that Irish should become compulsory for those attending school. The rest, as they say, is history.
That said, I must point out that I am one of the 20 who would voluntarily learn Irish and criticise Mr Myers for his continued attacks on TnaG. What better way to learn a language than sitting in a comfortable armchair beside a blazing fire? No verb learning, no boring stories to read, just entertainment and learning rolled into one. The other great thing about TnaG is that it is voluntary - no one forces you to watch it. - Is mise le meas,
Glendoher Avenue, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.