Tá eagla orm ahead of Gaelscoil grilling
October 15, 2012
I’ve been summoned to an interview for a primary school.
Not for me — for Miss Almost Nine Months old. Yes, seriously! Apparently, it’s time to secure a place for September 2016. We decided on a Gaelscoil, so a friend advised me to speak as Gaeilge during the interview to create the ‘right’ impression. So … this very bun-leibheal mammy will attempt to caint enough Gaeilge to wedge little missy’s foot firmly in the doras. Oh ta eagla orm! I really didn’t expect this but perhaps it’s to check if I’ll tuig the parent-teacher meetings. Of course, if she’s like mise, I’ll get by on ‘Cailin dana’ agus ‘Ta si ag caint gan stad!’
Now, when it comes to Conas ata tus, I can hold my own and even show off with my Dia is Muire Duit a Iosa. But beyond that, it’s going to be an uphill struggle — which is a disgrace and why we want her to go to a Gaelscoil and acquire more than just a cupla focal. Agus Dadai? He’s suggested that he doesn’t attend as his Irish is limited to “Ta an-athas orm an corn seo a ghlacadh ar foireann Uibh Fhaili”. Mind you, with him being a Biffo, it’s a rare occasion that he gets to say or hear it! So it’s just mise. But I’ve a plan. I’m going to replicate my Irish oral exam; learn and regurgitate a big spiel as soon as I’m asked a question, any question, thus preventing the muinteoir from getting a word in edgeways.
It’s a risky strategy I know, but my only other Irish trick is to do my one, two, threes. They are rather impressive. I think. I could even put my hands behind my back and accompany it with a rendition of Aon Focal Eile. But dadai assures me that whatever damage my Gaeilge or his GAA speech might do, my dancing would be a fait accompli.
Let’s just hope they don’t read this! If they do, gabh mo leithsceal, ta bron orm.
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