There are signs that the Irish language is gaining new recognition in non-Gaeltacht areas of Connemara.
The region is synonymous with the Irish language but a large part of the area does not tick the box.
Where is Connemara and where is the Gaeltacht? Award winning environmentalist, historian and writer, Tim Robinson ventured to to answer the first question.
If you can see the Twelve Bens from ground level, then you are in Connemara. It is well to note that Robinson said it was the Twelve Bens and not the Mam Toirc mountains; sight of the latter named hills did not give you a passport to Connemara.
As regards the Gaeltacht, the Twelve Bens – na Beanna Beola- are not a good guide. Neither is the official State boundary in many places.
In general terms south Connemara is the real Gaeltacht in Connemara nowadays – except for a few areas in Dúiche Sheoigeach, the Joyce Country.
However, there are green shoots in north Connemara. The Clifden ICA group had a Seachtain na Gaeilge Yoga session in the Clifden Town hall and the Roundstone and Clifden language conversation groups talked in one language together.
Just like Yoga, they are breathing life into the language.
