“Cad é an scéal?”
I’m Derek Hollingsworth (sloinne Gaelach): Neurodivergent Irish language learner, blogger, content creator, currently writing on the Irish language in the Irish psyche, co-founder & volunteer with Pobal Gaeilge 15.
Background
I grew up in Dublin in a confirmed English-only environment, and left school with a very poor standard of Irish, and little interest – but some respect and curiosity due to love for Grandparents who loved the language. Years later, a Gaeltacht native brought home to me the personal responsibility I needed to take if I wanted the language to survive and thrive. She said ‘If you want the language to survive, you must either raise your kids through Irish, or send them to a Gaelscoil or to the Gaeltacht‘. I’d done some fundraising for an NGO and volunteering for a homeless charity before, and decided I wanted to get involved in the Irish language movement in whatever limited capacity I could.
Inspiration
In 2011 I spent some time in a Gaeltacht area where it was evident that Irish was no longer the community language. I was really shocked by this stark fact. I decided I needed to take some responsibility for my own language – though I didn’t speak it and knew only a few words. Inspired by people like Manchán Magan, Brian Stowell, Joshua Fishman, Des Bishop’s In the Name of the Fada, and Bernard Dunne’s Bród Club, I started taking tentative steps to learn some Irish. I commenced a stop-start process of learning Irish that continues to this day. I have had the good fortune to have the opportunity to do several classes and visit the Gaeltacht over the years, and I was delighted to pass the TEGB1 level oral exam in 2024. I took the TEGB2 level oral exam at the end of 2025.
Action
Following the ‘DIY’ ethic, I founded ‘Muintir na Gaeilge Ongar’ to promote the Irish language in Dublin 15, where I live. This had mortifying consequences when I was the only one of the organisers that turned up for an Irish-language event for Seachtain na Gaeilge in 2012! Apart from members of my family and friends, about 10 people came and I couldn’t speak a word of Irish to to any of them except “Dia dhuit” (Hello), “Conas atá tú? (How are you) and “Slán go fóill” (Goodbye for now)! Thankfully, Paula Melvin (former Uachtarán, Conradh na Gaeilge) came on board that night and, with a team of committed volunteers, we later formed ‘Pobal Gaeilge 15’.
If you don’t have a local Irish language group in your area, maybe do as they say in the Irish language community in the North, “Déan tú féin é!” (Do it yourself) – and organise a group of like-minded people.
Pobal Gaeilge 15
Pobal Gaeilge 15 organised a Grúpa Tuistí agus Leanaí (parent & child group), Irish classes for beginners and improvers, various social events and an annual Féile. I believe our Féile was amongst the best attended Irish-language events in the country during Seachtain na Gaeilge for several years with attendances of 350-450 people. I should also mention our friends Fergus Ó Loinsigh and Carolyne Lindsay who played key roles in organising a grass-roots campaign to set up Coláiste na Tulchann in Dublin 15.
#100DaysOfGaeilge
I suggested a really simple idea a couple of years ago, and quite a few people either follow or use the hashtag #100DaysOfGaeilge on social media. It’s simply a personal challenge and commitment to engage with some Irish every day for 100 days: speech, classes, personal learning, reading, listening to podcasts or radio, viewing TG4, engaging on social media etc. Whatever works for you! Just give it a go or find some other way to engage with learners/speakers.
Writing
I am in the on-going process of both learning Irish and writing about the attitudes and psychology impacting the use of the Irish language. This journey of discovery has led me to some very interesting language-related stories, and I think they will be of interest to others too – hence my decision to put some of these ideas and concepts out there via the Irish Language Matters blog. Most of the content here will involve simply highlighting the valuable work of others and sharing it, or reflecting on my own experiences. I am not a native Irish speaker, linguist, historian, Celtologist etc. I am an Irish language learner who believes that the Irish language is the most important cultural asset of the Irish people and their island.
This blog
This blog aims to be non-political – there are other forums for that. It is written in English because I am not yet fluent enough to speak, write or fully express myself in Irish. I also hope to encourage 1 or 2 people like me – those who have thought about learning Irish but haven’t yet made the leap. I know there is huge interest in Irish out there – often from people who have a visceral connection to the language, but who haven’t had the opportunity to learn or use it yet. The blog has been read in 177 countries and territories.
As of January 2026, the irishlanguagematters.com blog has had 50,000 views and is growing by about 25% a year. I’m happy with this as I have only published about 20 articles over 4 years. From views here and contacts on social media, the main interest seems to be from new learners of Irish who want the language for themselves or their children; in relation to the opportunities for personal and societal growth via engaging with the language; and in the traumatised colonial history of the language, and in language as a means of decolonisation.
Me
Following from my interest in Psychology – I have qualifications in Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy – I am very interested in the attitudes, psychology and power dynamics that shape language use. I believe our children and theirs should have access to their own languages and cultures. I am passionate about our potential to create positive change in our own lives. I work as a public servant. I love travel, music and physical fitness, but my most important and enjoyable gig is as Daidí.
I hope you enjoy the pieces you’ll find on this site! Bainígí taitneamh as!
Irish Language matters 