The Gaelic League

Conradh na Gaeilge

In the latter part of the nineteenth century there was a

renewed interest in the Irish language. Many writers and
scholars felt that the Irish language was very important for
maintaining an Irish identity. The Gaelic League was founded in
1893 with the aim of restoring the Irish language. O'Growney
was one of the founders, along with Douglas Hyde and others.
The Gaelic League ran Irish language classes all around the
country. They also taught native speakers in Gaeltacht areas
how to read and write in their own language. The Gaelic League
had a great impact on the status of the Irish language. It
introduced a standardised way of writing the language which
made it easier for people to read and write in it. They also
published many new texts in Irish.

Fr. Eugene O'Growney

Fr. Eugene O'Growney is remembered as one of the key
figures in the Irish language revival of the late 1800s.He is
often referred to as An tAthair Eoghan Gramhnaigh, the Irish
language version of his name.He was a native of Co. Meath and
in 1956, a statue of Fr. O'Growney was unveiled in the grounds
of St. James' Church in Athboy.

"Simple Lessons in Irish"

O'Growney had a great reputation as an Irish speaker. He
was appointed Professor of Irish at Maynooth College. As part of
his efforts to revive the Irish language he published a series of
lessons called Simple Lessons in Irish in the newspapers of the
time. The lessons were also published in book form by the
Gaelic League. O'Growney's Simple Lessons in Irish brought the
language to the attention of many people and inspired them to
learn it.

Douglas Hyde
The Gaelic league was originally set up in 1893 by
Douglass Hyde he was a native Irish speaker and a proud
republican he wanted to keep up old Irish traditions and this
was why the Gaelic league was originally set up. Douglass Hyde
Was the very first president of Ireland.
Douglas Hyde was born on 17 January 1860 at Longford
House, Castlerea, Co.Roscommon. He was the son of an
Anglican clergyman, Arthur Hyde. Douglas was an Irish scholar
of the Irish language who served as the first President of Ireland
from 1938 to 1945. He was a leading figure in the Gaelic
revival, and first president of the Gaelic League, one of the
most influential cultural organisations in Ireland at the time.