More than €12 million spent training Irish language graduates to translate EU legislation

To prepare for the end to derogation of the Irish language, more Irish speakers will be needed to translate EU documents.

7 of the world's most interesting handshakes

From Nixon and Presley to Hitler and Chamberlain right back to Arnold Schwarzenegger, these handshakes deserve to go down in history.

Abolition of points system means there won't be enough Irish speaking civil servants, claims group

The government is abolishing a scheme that gave bonus marks to people sitting civil service entrance exams if they speak Irish.

8 things we all did in the Gaeltacht

The best three weeks of the summer for any Irish teenager.

"Léigh anois go cúramach, ar do scrúdpháipéar..."

So, a statement for Irish language mag ended up in Macau, China

A letter destined for Belfast ended up in Macau, China. Totally understandable.

VIDEO: Just a dinosaur rapping Dúnmharú ar an Dart

Junior Cert flashback.

Column: Gaeilge is a part of our culture – how it's taught matters

The poetry, prose and history of the Irish language should be taken out of the current course and put into a separate, optional subject for advanced students – while “Irish Language” should be taught to every student as a core subject, writes Aodhán Ó Deá.

Popes, parades and Gay Mitchell : The week in numbers

How long is the Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin? And how many years has it been since there was a pope from outside Europe?

VIDEO: Sixth class pupils in Mayo perform Mama Mia as Gaeilge

Lámhs in the air now everyone…

Taoiseach says Croke Park proposals do not target frontline workers

The Taoiseach tells the Dáil it’s not just Gardaí who are being asked to make a contribution to economic recovery.

The leave-it-out lady teaches Irish too

Ah, Fág Amach é.

Opinion: Lost in translation - when players' Irish names are changed in match reports

‘It is absolutely 100% about standing up to an attitude that seeks to embarrass Irish language speakers.’

Here is the week's news... skewed

Breaking via The Mire wire: Irish phrases that could confuses visitors for The Gathering, Clare Daly’s ‘house’ measure, and disoriented man could be member of government…

Céard? 17 words from modern Ireland, in Irish

Have you ever sent a ‘tvuít’ about the ‘tarrtháil’?

Column: Why I joined Dublin’s first Irish-speaking GAA club

There were no social situations where Irish speakers could use the language. Na Gaeil Óga – an all-Irish GAA club – could change that, writes Ciarán Mac Fhearghusa.

VIDEO: What happens when you speak Irish to strangers?

“An bhfuil fhios agaibh cá bhfuil an Luas?”

Which Leaving Cert subjects produce the most A grades?

Some subjects produced proportionally more top grades – while others had higher failure rates than most.

Three-minute explainer: What's the story with the Gaeltacht Bill?

Opposition TDs walked out of the Dáil en masse yesterday in protest at government tactics. So what’s the deal?

Kenny admits concerns over standards of language teaching after PayPal jobs news

Enda Kenny wonders why children cannot speak Irish after 14 years’ tuition, after PayPal says it can’t find locals to fill jobs.

Brussels made 17 errors translating the ESM Treaty into Irish

Dáil approval was needed this week to correct 17 grammatical mistakes, and typos, in the Irish version of the Treaty.

Gaeilge on Google's new Endangered Languages Project

Irish is included on a list of over 3,000 languages that the internet giant wants to save from extinction.

Investigation finds only 1 of 9 officers in Gaeltacht Garda station spoke Irish

Eight of the nine Gardaí stationed in Gaoth Dobhair in Donegal were unable to carry out their duties through Irish.

Poll: Do you speak Irish on a regular basis?

Bernard Dunne is leading a nationwide drive getting people to use whatever Irish they still remember. Would you use yours?

Column: Get back on the capall - we should be proud to use the Irish language

The plan is simple: we want to start a revolution and get 100,000 people to use their chuid gaeilge in their daily lives, write Bernard Dunne.

Hogan moves to plug Irish language gaps in Household Charge law

An Irish edition of the legislation permitting the household charge, and the list of exempted ghost estates, have been produced.

Meet Dime: the sheepdog who only understands Irish

Dime lives on Achill Island – where he does the entirety of his work as a ‘madra caorach’ through the Irish language.

Irish language community slam merger of Language Commissioner

In a letter to the Irish Times, 33 people say they “expect” the government not to merge the commissioner with the Ombudsman.

What the focal? Stan Collymore shows off by tweeting 'as Gaeilge'

He’s really quite good, you know.

TG4 launches free Irish language app

Does anyone know how to say ‘app’ as Gaeilge?

Mean Girls meets Hollyoaks... in Spiddal: TG4's new online teen drama

In an effort to make the Irish language more appealing to young people, this new online-only soap promises edgy and gritty storylines…

Could two Mayo publicans have exposed a gaping hole in Ireland's legal system?

Two Claremorris publicans escaped punishment for having punters on their premises after hours. But how?

Government shelves decision on mandatory Leaving Cert Irish

A decision will not be made on whether Irish should remain a mandatory subject in State exams until the syllabus is reviewed.

Ó Cuív’s final act as defence minister: saving the Irish-speaking battalion in his own constituency

Éamon Ó Cuív says he has ordered his department to safeguard the Irish-speaking battalion based in his constituency.

Here's a peek at Stephen Fry's cameo on Ros na Rún

The venerable English gentleman makes an altogether brief appearance on the TG4 soap tomorrow. Here’s a preview.

Should Leaving Cert Irish be dropped, or just reformed?

While all parties want Irish teaching reformed, Fine Gael wants it dropped as a mandatory Leaving Cert subject. Is it right?

Dobson labels Irish ‘quaint’… or does he?

The Six One newsreader offers a comment on the TG4 debate… but is it really David Davin-Power in disguise?

Parties fire shots over Irish language plans

Sinn Féin launches its Irish plan outside Fine Gael HQ – but the election frontrunners label the move an ‘empty stunt’.

Irish language students protest at being "dumped" by Fine Gael

Enda Kenny’s proposal that Irish no longer be a mandatory subject at Leaving Cert level sees USI students march on party’s headquarters with banners depicting broken hearts…