In this episode of Season 2 of The Language Question ~ Ceist na Teangan, host Finghin Mac Cárthaigh (Flor McCarthy) sits down with Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, one of the most celebrated poets writing in the Irish language and a former Ireland Professor of Poetry.
Together, they explore how learning Irish (Gaeilge) can go far beyond grammar and vocabulary, opening powerful pathways into identity, heritage, and belonging.
Thanks for your interest in The Language Question ~ Ceist na Teangan! Subscribe for free to receive priority notification on future episodes and to access valuable Irish language learning resources
Thanks for your interest in The Language Question ~ Ceist na Teangan! Subscribe for free to receive priority notification on future episodes and to access valuable Irish language learning resources.
Throughout the conversation, they reflect on the emotional power of Irish — from family connections and memory to the deep cultural meanings embedded within words.
This episode reminds us that Irish is not simply something to learn — it is something to experience, feel, and live.
A Note on TimingThis episode was recorded on 29 March 2026. During the conversation, Finghin refers to an interview with Gabriel Rosenstock that had appeared in the Sunday Independent the week before, as well as to a documentary that was due to air the following Sunday, which was Easter Sunday.
Since the recording of this episode, Gabriel Rosenstock has sadly passed away. Beannachtaí Dé air
This Episode Celebrates:
* The role of storytelling in learning Irish
* The power of etymology and folklore to unlock meaning
* The emotional connection between language, identity, and heritage
* The importance of accessibility and community in language revival
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from Irish — or unsure where to begin — this episode will inspire you to start again.
Thanks for your interest in The Language Question ~ Ceist na Teangan! Subscribe for free to receive priority notification on future episodes and to access valuable Irish language learning resources.
Podcast Notes
Growing Up Between Languages
Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill reflects on her childhood between England and Ireland and her early immersion in Irish upon returning to the Gaeltacht in West Kerry. Her experience highlights how language shapes identity and belonging from an early age.
The Gaeltacht and the Power of Storytelling
Influenced by the rich oral traditions of the Gaeltacht, Ní Dhomhnaill developed a deep appreciation for folklore and storytelling. These formative experiences would later inspire her distinctive poetic voice.
Thanks for your interest in The Language Question ~ Ceist na Teangan! Subscribe for free to receive priority notification on future episodes and to access valuable Irish language learning resources.
Mythology, Folklore, and the Creative Imagination
Drawing from Irish mythology and the National Folklore Collection, her work explores themes of transformation, memory, and the subconscious. Her iconic mermaid (merrow) poems exemplify her ability to bridge ancient tradition with contemporary thought.
Writing in Irish: A Lifelong Commitment
Ní Dhomhnaill discusses her decision to write primarily in Irish, describing it as a language of discovery, creativity, and authenticity. Her work has brought Irish-language poetry to international audiences through translation and has played a pivotal role in the modern literary revival.
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Slán tamall,Finghin Mac CárthaighHost – The Language Question ~ Ceist na Teangan
More on Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill
Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill is one of the most celebrated poets writing in the Irish language and a former Ireland Professor of Poetry. Renowned for her lyrical and myth-infused work, she explores themes of identity, folklore, femininity, and cultural memory through the medium of Gaeilge.
Born in Lancashire, England, in 1952 to Irish physicians, she was sent at age 5 to live with relatives in the Kerry Gaeltacht. This experience profoundly shaped her linguistic and cultural identity. She later studied English and Irish at University College Cork in 1969, where she became a central figure in the influential Innti school of poets. Ní Dhomhnaill spent seven years living abroad in Holland and Turkey with her husband, Doğan Leflef, before returning to County Kerry in 1980. Her first poetry collection, An Dealg Droighin, was published in 1981.
Writing exclusively in Irish, Ní Dhomhnaill uses language as a powerful tool to give voice to the marginalised and to challenge traditional narratives within Irish society. Her work often reimagines mythology and folklore through a feminist lens, presenting women as complex, empowered, and multidimensional figures. Through her poetry, she seeks to transcend the fragmentation of Ireland’s colonial past and to affirm the vitality and relevance of Irish cultural identity.
Her work has reached global audiences through translations by some of Ireland’s most distinguished poets, including Seamus Heaney, Paul Muldoon, Medbh McGuckian, Michael Hartnett, and Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin. Ní Dhomhnaill advocates for creative freedom in translation, believing that English versions should capture the energy, beauty, and spirit of the original Irish.
Widely acclaimed both nationally and internationally, her poetry continues to play a vital role in the modern revival of Irish-language literature and in shaping contemporary discussions on language, culture, and identity.
Learn more:
Poetry Foundation
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