I love this Hogan Stand site. There is no GAA site like it. Its great at giving up to date news. The county section is brilliant for providing information on club fixtures and results. It has great links to other sports and GAA related news. I could go on and on. The only fault I see on the site, however, is the forum - and my fault is with the level of negative and bad tabloid standard posts that can be seen regulary on this site and that is hardly the fault of those in charge of the site.

As all true GAA people know, one of the aims of the great organisation is to help in the promotion of the Irish language within the association a roll the the association never neglects - however small their efforts mite be. Also, over the years there have been many many Uachtaráin, managers, great players etc. etc. who have been Irish speakers from the foundation of the GAA. In fact I am told there were seven Irish language speakers on the Dublin panel that won the All Ireland last year. Seán Óg Ó Ailpín, Ger loughnane, Darragh Ó Sé, Seán Ó Dónaill, Noel O' Leary, Anthony Lynch, Dónal O Grady, Joe Connolly, Paidí, Diarmuid Lynge, Joe McDonagh, Kevin Cassidy, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Dara Ó Cinnéide, Coman Goggins, Liam Rushe, Ciarán Killkenny, Tomás Ó Flatharta etc. etc. etc. For this reason, I ask, would there be an interest and support among posters, administrators and moderators on Hogan Stand for an Irish language section on this forum?

I understand from recent threads I have started as Gaeilge that there is a small minority of Irish people and GAA people on hoganstand that would not be in support of such an idea and would be hostile to such an idea and it is for that reason as a regular poster (and a relatively new poster) on Hogan Stand I propose a special section as Gaeilge as this would ensure that those who are hostile to the Irish language and Irish language threads being amongst English threads on this site would not be put out insulted.

I would like to also state that I find Hogan Stands moderators and administratots very supportive and reasonable regarding the threads I have started here as Gaeilge.

Culann (Dublin) - Posts: 2306 - 11/07/2012 11:11:14    1214409

An Lu abu agus tiocfaidh ar la anois.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 11/07/2012 11:18:49    1214419

Hard to see enough interest in it, like most people on HS I speak little or no Irish and like a few people on HS (well maybe) I have nothing but contempt for the language. But if HS wishes to facilitate Irish speakers I have absolutely no problem with that, each to their own but there's no need for the growing amount of Irish on the main forum when most people can't understand it.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 11/07/2012 11:25:26    1214430

culann i know what you are saying but the sad facts are the majority of posters on this site do not have the level of irish that would enable them to contribute at anything other than a very basic level, can you imagine a thread on meath v dublin been in irish? while certain parts of meath are fluent irish speakers the majority would not have a clue, same as dublin, plus the inevitable slagging etc would be alot harder to express in irish,
there is also a theory that to speak in a language the majority would not understand would do nothing to promote the idea that the poster is putting across.
sad but those are the facts, english is the spoken word and the language 90% of people use day in day out as communication

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 11/07/2012 11:27:19    1214435

Not sure if there would be enough interest to make a seperate section viable and anyhow if it was seperate would that not just isolate the few that might be interested. I think if you started the occasional thread on the main GAA Forum and encouraged any one to join in even if like me their Irish is rusty and they need a Dictionary at the ready. There should be room for everybody even if the best they can do a bi-lingual effort with just a few words of Irish. Another advantage is I have often longed to call a few of the WUMS on here a few choice names maybe I might get away with it As Gaelige.

corkcelt (Cork) - Posts: 4388 - 11/07/2012 11:31:14    1214440

htaem i understand where you are coming from, i can speak irish to what most would consider a acceptable level (not great), however i would never post in irish as i think that is kind of excluding those who dont speak it, the once or twice i did post in it i translated it to english, i too do not hold any great affection for the language , im not against it i just dont agree with those who say you have to know it to be truly irish,
it was the teaching of irish that has it held in contempt by so many, shame but that is the facts

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 11/07/2012 11:35:24    1214447

Htaem
County: Meath
Posts: 3695

1214430 Hard to see enough interest in it, like most people on HS I speak little or no Irish and like a few people on HS (well maybe) I have nothing but contempt for the language.

You'd be surprised. Go into any of the county foram's and have a look how many posts are in the threads. I have started a few threads here as Gaeilge and there were plenty of views and posts on them. At least as many as you would find on an average county thread.

Culann (Dublin) - Posts: 2306 - 11/07/2012 11:38:57    1214448

Htaem Why on earth would you have contempt for the language of your forefathers. I could understand if you said you had contempt for the way it was taught in schools, but surely not for the language itself. Why anybody anywhere would have contempt for anyone's language is beyond me.

corkcelt (Cork) - Posts: 4388 - 11/07/2012 11:39:07    1214449

royaldunne
County: Meath
Posts: 1749

1214435 culann i know what you are saying but the sad facts are the majority of posters on this site do not have the level of irish that would enable them to contribute at anything other than a very basic level, can you imagine a thread on meath v dublin been in irish? while certain parts of meath are fluent irish speakers the majority would not have a clue, same as dublin, plus the inevitable slagging etc would be alot harder to express in irish,
there is also a theory that to speak in a language the majority would not understand would do nothing to promote the idea that the poster is putting across.
sad but those are the facts, english is the spoken word and the language 90% of people use day in day out as communication

I think you would be surprised. As I said above there would be at least as many posts on threads as Gaeilge as there would be on the average county thread. These counties threads are small but some of the informations and discussion on them are better then what you get on the main forum - in my opinion. I think you'd be suprised how many people would post on the ones as Gaeilge.

To find out I'll ask the question. Who would like to post as Gaeilge on Hogan Stand. Lets see hom many we'll get. If there is 25 would that justify it?

1. Cullen

Culann (Dublin) - Posts: 2306 - 11/07/2012 11:44:44    1214455

corkcelt
County: Cork
Posts: 3293

1214440 Not sure if there would be enough interest to make a seperate section viable and anyhow if it was seperate would that not just isolate the few that might be interested. I think if you started the occasional thread on the main GAA Forum and encouraged any one to join in even if like me their Irish is rusty and they need a Dictionary at the ready. There should be room for everybody even if the best they can do a bi-lingual effort with just a few words of Irish. Another advantage is I have often longed to call a few of the WUMS on here a few choice names maybe I might get away with it As Gaelige.

I tried to start a few on the main forum but they were met with hostility from 'gael' and Irish people. I tried to start one the other about this years hurling championship but it was ruined by the same 'gaels' and Irish people objecting to it being in Irish. I also wanted it to be inclusive of all levels and standards of Irish. There was even one fella who was posting on the topic in English but it was clear he understood what the thread was about. That was great. No problem!

By the way, I think administrators have Gaeilge here. I let rip at someone as Gaeilge and it my post wasn't approved. I'm not sure you would get away with your 'choice words'!!

Culann (Dublin) - Posts: 2306 - 11/07/2012 11:52:25    1214467

Culann
County: Dublin
Posts: 369

1214455
royaldunne
County: Meath
Posts: 1749

1214435 culann i know what you are saying but the sad facts are the majority of posters on this site do not have the level of irish that would enable them to contribute at anything other than a very basic level, can you imagine a thread on meath v dublin been in irish? while certain parts of meath are fluent irish speakers the majority would not have a clue, same as dublin, plus the inevitable slagging etc would be alot harder to express in irish,
there is also a theory that to speak in a language the majority would not understand would do nothing to promote the idea that the poster is putting across.
sad but those are the facts, english is the spoken word and the language 90% of people use day in day out as communication

I think you would be surprised. As I said above there would be at least as many posts on threads as Gaeilge as there would be on the average county thread. These counties threads are small but some of the informations and discussion on them are better then what you get on the main forum - in my opinion. I think you'd be suprised how many people would post on the ones as Gaeilge.

To find out I'll ask the question. Who would like to post as Gaeilge on Hogan Stand. Lets see hom many we'll get. If there is 25 would that justify it?

1. Cullen
2. Olibhear

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 11/07/2012 11:52:57    1214469

You answered your own question corkcelt, I have contempt for it because of the way it was rammed down or throats in school, I just didn't want to learn it and so I pulled against it, exact same way I did with any other subject I wasn't fond off. But just to clarify to anybody who is an Irish speaker, I have absolutely no problem with people wanting to learn the language or speak it day to day, that's entirely their own business I just don't want to see too many all Irish threads because as royaldunne said it can exclude people.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 11/07/2012 11:56:06    1214472

this was be a good addition to hoganstand but it would need a bit of promotion in the irish speaking parts of the country to really do well. i'm sure there are hundreds of GAA people in Irish speaking areas who would love an Irish section on this site but most of them would never find out if it wasn't advertised.

BettystownRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 3353 - 11/07/2012 11:58:09    1214476

I would give it a try. However it does take a bit of time and whilst I could do ok in fairly basic conversation I'm not too sure I could make a post in Irish say analysing a match which would be of any interest to anyone else. Having said that there are many on here would say I can't do it in English either.

corkcelt (Cork) - Posts: 4388 - 11/07/2012 11:59:03    1214479

royaldunne
County: Meath
Posts: 1751

1214447 htaem i understand where you are coming from, i can speak irish to what most would consider a acceptable level (not great), however i would never post in irish as i think that is kind of excluding those who dont speak it, the once or twice i did post in it i translated it to english,

Thats why I am proposing as separate section as not to oppease people who are against the Irish people and it would also save the thread from being ruined by those against the language who feel the need to do so.

i too do not hold any great affection for the language , im not against it i just dont agree with those who say you have to know it to be truly irish,
it was the teaching of irish that has it held in contempt by so many, shame but that is the facts

With all due respect I think we should avoid the reasons people do or do not like the language. It would be best not to get off the subject. Its a GAA forum so we should try to keep it relevent. The post is about the roll the GAA have in promoting the language and on the basis of that roll and Hogan Stand being a GAA website should Irish speakers being given the choice to express themselves as Gaeilge on this site. (Well thats the idea behind the thread anyway) Politics.ie is the place to discuss why or why not you do or don't like the language.

Culann (Dublin) - Posts: 2306 - 11/07/2012 11:59:26    1214480

Culann
County: Dublin
Posts: 369

1214455
royaldunne
County: Meath
Posts: 1749

1214435 culann i know what you are saying but the sad facts are the majority of posters on this site do not have the level of irish that would enable them to contribute at anything other than a very basic level, can you imagine a thread on meath v dublin been in irish? while certain parts of meath are fluent irish speakers the majority would not have a clue, same as dublin, plus the inevitable slagging etc would be alot harder to express in irish,
there is also a theory that to speak in a language the majority would not understand would do nothing to promote the idea that the poster is putting across.
sad but those are the facts, english is the spoken word and the language 90% of people use day in day out as communication

I think you would be surprised. As I said above there would be at least as many posts on threads as Gaeilge as there would be on the average county thread. These counties threads are small but some of the informations and discussion on them are better then what you get on the main forum - in my opinion. I think you'd be suprised how many people would post on the ones as Gaeilge.

To find out I'll ask the question. Who would like to post as Gaeilge on Hogan Stand. Lets see hom many we'll get. If there is 25 would that justify it?

1. Cullen
2. Olibhear
3. Mick14

Mick14 (Limerick) - Posts: 766 - 11/07/2012 12:06:10    1214490

culann id have little doubt that you would get agreement from 25 posters but the problem would be could you get those same 25 to post on one topic?
i could see posters from the obvious galway, cork , mayo, dublin, donegal,kerry tipp etc, and indeed my own county meath where the language would still be seen as vibrant in these counties, but how many would you get from others ? hard to know. plus what thread could nit those 25 posters from different counties together?
can you see many from mayo or meath discussing the merits of tipp hurling? or for that how many would be discussing meaths chances of winning leinster? now ok maybe the whole seannie johnston saga would be one but i think we all can agree we have enough of them in english, just cant see it working as a separate forum as one off threads yes where some people can speak in bilingual but not individually, but good luck with it anyway and fair play for having a new idea

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 11/07/2012 12:06:33    1214491

, that's entirely their own business I just don't want to see too many all Irish threads because as royaldunne said it can exclude people.
Htaem , 11/07/2012 at 11:56

But are Irish speakers not been excluded from discussion as Gaeilge? Any time I have posted a thread as Gaeilge on the main forum Gaels and Irish people who do not like the Irish language have felt it necessary to come on to those threads and express their displeasure at the Irish langauge threads. What I am proposing is a separate section. You would be free to go into or not to go into it.

Culann (Dublin) - Posts: 2306 - 11/07/2012 12:11:32    1214501

11/07/2012 12:06:10
Mick14
County: Limerick
Posts: 762

1214490
Culann
County: Dublin
Posts: 369

1214455
royaldunne
County: Meath
Posts: 1749

1214435 culann i know what you are saying but the sad facts are the majority of posters on this site do not have the level of irish that would enable them to contribute at anything other than a very basic level, can you imagine a thread on meath v dublin been in irish? while certain parts of meath are fluent irish speakers the majority would not have a clue, same as dublin, plus the inevitable slagging etc would be alot harder to express in irish,
there is also a theory that to speak in a language the majority would not understand would do nothing to promote the idea that the poster is putting across.
sad but those are the facts, english is the spoken word and the language 90% of people use day in day out as communication

I think you would be surprised. As I said above there would be at least as many posts on threads as Gaeilge as there would be on the average county thread. These counties threads are small but some of the informations and discussion on them are better then what you get on the main forum - in my opinion. I think you'd be suprised how many people would post on the ones as Gaeilge.

To find out I'll ask the question. Who would like to post as Gaeilge on Hogan Stand. Lets see hom many we'll get. If there is 25 would that justify it?

1. Cullen
2. Olibhear
3. Mick14
4. Mise

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 11/07/2012 12:12:51    1214504

With all due respect Culann, I think the Gaa have a very minimal roll in promoting the Irish language these days, it looks to me like they're doing more as a formality than anything else. The Gaa's number one aim in this day and age is the same as any other business, to make money and hold their own with the competition. But back to your main point, I can't see why HS would bother creating a forum exclusively for Irish speakers unless they were certain that a large portion of people would actually engage in it and I just don't think they would get the numbers required to make it worth while.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 11/07/2012 12:14:42    1214508