Former Fine Gael Minister Joe McHugh has opened up about the daunting task of mastering Irish in a new book, which will be published this February.
The Carrigart politician famously progressed from basic Irish to fluent after he was unexpectedly appointed as Minister for Natural Resources, the Gaeltacht and the Islands in 2014.
It was one of the most significant challenges of his political career, but one that he faced head-on. This journey of discovery is the subject of McHugh’s personal book, Beidh Tú Alright.
McHugh stepped down from politics ahead of the last general election and is currently completing a MSc at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences at RCSI with plans to become an executive coach.
In his debut book, McHugh reveals the depth of backlash he endured when he first became a Junior Minister for the Gaeltacht with only a limited grasp of the language.
At the time, angry protestors chanted ‘Aire gan teanga, Aire gan clue’ (A Minister without a language is a Minister without a clue) outside Government Buildings.
But instead of retreating, McHugh embraced this personal and public challenge, embarking on a journey to become a fluent Irish speaker.
In Beidh Tú Alright, Joe McHugh shares his candid account of overcoming the daunting task of mastering Irish as an adult. He takes readers behind the scenes, revealing the emotional and intellectual struggles faced, and the deep connections he forged with the language, its history, and the Irish-speaking communities.
McHugh’s journey was not just about learning a language but rediscovering its cultural significance. From uncovering the meaning behind place names like Maam Cross and Gleann an Ghiolla Ghránna to finding inspiration in the landscapes of Bear Island and Gleann Cholm Cille, Beidh Tú Alright delves into how language can connect us to our heritage, our sense of place, and our own identity.
The book contains a foreword by President Michael D Higgins who said: ‘I hope that Joe McHugh’s account of his personal language odyssey will encourage others to undertake their own “aistear teanga“‘
McHugh emphasises that it’s never too late to learn Irish and offers readers practical insights from personal experience to help them on their language journey. With humour and honesty, he shares the tools and practices that helped him succeed, such as full-immersion language programmes and cultural explorations.
Beidh Tú Alright is a powerful nod to the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of cultural heritage, and the joy of lifelong learning. McHugh’s personal story will inspire both those who have yet to start their Irish language journey and those who may have once given up.
Beidh Tú Alright will be published in paperback by Red Stripe Press in February 2025. ISBN 9781786051981 RRP €19.99
Beidh Tú Alright
An Irish Language Journey by Joe McHugh