Brigid-Ann McGrath is on a quest to embrace her Irish roots and to learn the language that was once denied her. John Landrigan reports
Smithereens is an Irish word that derives from modern Irish, smidir?n, meaning ``small fragments'. The phrase blown to smithereens all too often is associated with Ireland's long- running troubles.
Aucklander Brigid-Ann McGrath says all the fighting prevented her knowing the language of her forebears.
At 72, New Zealand-born Ms McGrath is determined to give it a crack and put matters right.
The former missionary, who also speaks Samoan and Tigryna, a lan guage spoken in parts of Ethiopia and Eritrea, lived near Galway where Irish is still spoken, and picked up and loved some of the language.
``The history of Ireland was always full of difficult times. The language was the heart and soul. It was taken away from us. I am a product of that. This is a great way for me to get back to where I belong.'
Language, she says, absorbs faith, culture, hospitality.
``They are not just words, but there is meaning behind the words. You live the words.'
Ms McGrath is well-travelled and active. She cycles, competes in duathlons and looks after Eritrean refugees.
Her desire to learn Irish has led her to enrol in a six-week course at the University of Auckland Continuing Education.
Scots-born Aucklander Michael Maher finished the course this month.
He, too, had wanted to learn the language of his grandparents and joined the class with a mixture of old and young Kiwis, and a smattering of first-generation Irish students.
``I go to France or Spain on holidays and can hold my own, but I could not speak the language of my grandparents,' he says.
Tutor Ruth Lysaght designed and taught Irish language and culture courses in Paris, and for the Lower Hutt Irish Society in Wellington.
``It's a six-week development course to deepen people's knowledge of the language,' she says. ``The emphasis is on communication and enjoyment. Gaelic traditions will be explored through commonly used phrases, legends and songs.'
Mrs Lysaght says Irish culture and music can be better understood with a knowledge of the language. She says there is a large pool of people of more than 600,000 New Zealanders of Irish descent.
Failte roimh chach! (All are welcome!). Beidh craic againn! (We'll have fun!)
30 04 09
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