p h o u k a  h o m e i r i s h  l e s s o n s  h o m e

Preface

The rapid sale of Part I of these lessons is another proof of the fact that there are thousands of Irish people who are not ashamed of their native language and who do not confine themselves to useless laments over its neglected state, but are prepared to do something to encourage its study and use. Even at present the number of real students of gaelic is ten times what it was only two years ago, and a continued increase for for another short time would make it possible to publish, without pecuniary loss, useful and attrative Irish books, and, by degrees, the best of the old Gaelic literature.

To those who have brought the lessons to the notice of their friends, I return my best thanks. A great deal could be done if National teachers, managers of schools, journalists, and others of local influence were made aware how easy it is now to acquire a good knowledge of the language. At present people have to be induced ot learn, and presed very hard to teach, the language whose decay they profress to deplore. Even under the present rules of the National Schools, teachers can do a great deal for the langauge, with very little trouble to themselves and with substantial pecuniary rewards.

During the past year several classes, both large and small, have been organized in gvarious parts of Ireland and in America the Gaelic Societies have set to work with renewed energy in many of the chief cities.

I cannot omit mention of an event of such importance to the Irish language as the establishment this year of a Celtic Chair in the Catholic University of Washington, and its endowment by the generosity of the Ancient Orders of Hibernians.

I am particularly indebted to my friends, Mr. James Cogan and Mr. John MacNeill of the Gaelic League for their kindness in correcting the proofs and drawing up the index of these lessons during my absence in America.

Notes and Queries regarding the lessons should be sent to the Gaelic Journal, published by the Gaelic League, College-green, Dublin.

EUGENE O'GROWNEY
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.

Lá na féile Brighde, 1895.