LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE AT ANY AGE CAN IMPROVE LIFE

By SHARON SCHULTZ

Who knew?

I was thrilled to become a volunteer at the Irish Railroad Workers Museum (IRWM) in Baltimore, but I had no idea how it would alter my life for the better! At the museum, I met many like-minded people with Irish roots like me, which encouraged me to participate in more of the Irish-related programs that are offered to the membership and the general public.

As a lifelong writer, and encouraged by my surroundings, I’d gotten it into my head to write a novel telling the powerful story of my great-great-great grandfather, John Quinn, an Irish immigrant and later, a Union soldier who fought and died during the Civil War. I was barely in the outline stage of my novel when the IRWM began offering an Irish language course for its museum members.

Perfect! I could pepper John Quinn’s imaginary conversations with real Irish words lending an authenticity to the story I hadn’t yet realized it needed! I signed up straight away.

That was in 2021. The first draft of “The Mighty Quinn” is finished. Who knew I would be in my fourth year of serious Irish language study? Especially after complaining so often that I should have learned Irish in my younger years because it is so difficult to master! And, who knew what life-changing paths this simple journey would lead me on? So, when the Irish Railroad Workers Museum in Baltimore partnered with Irish Language Learners (ILL) in Philadelphia to teach Irish via weekly lessons on Zoom, it became so much more than just a few hourly classes.

It didn’t take long for an easygoing, virtual relationship to develop between students and instructor despite the miles between our physical locations. I look forward to my Wednesday afternoon Zoom classes. Learning Irish is very challenging but learning about my classmates is pure joy as social opportunities unfold.

During a random conversation in class, I learned about an Irish dance club in Baltimore County called Emerald Isle Club (EIC). Several of my classmates were members of the EIC. I grew up with Irish dancing so this was a windfall for me!

I was overjoyed to attend my first Irish Ceili, held in The Promenade Dance Studio, in Baltimore County. There’s a rhyme and reason for Ceili dancing but beginners willing to learn the steps are always welcome. With upbeat Irish music setting the pace, and the “caller” giving directions, it’s hard to resist joining the dancers as they step high and spin their partners in and out, back and forth, in almost-perfect unison. Emerald Isle Club’s monthly Ceili dances are open to the public and support a welcoming, pleasant, and safe space for all who wish to socialize, make lasting friends, and enjoy a bit of exercise, too. Last year, I marched in Baltimore’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade with EIC!

In Irish class, our instructor, John Handy, always stresses the importance of using the language, or risk losing what you’ve learned. To that end, he is very generous in sharing the many opportunities offered by Irish organizations who promote the language by holding Irish Language Immersion Weekends where Irish is spoken almost exclusively. Daltai na Gaeilge (Students of Irish), an online Irish language school, had an immersion weekend scheduled in Pennsylvania.

I traveled to Jameson, to attend my very first Irish Immersion Weekend at a camp that reminded me of the Girl Scouts, except this one was coed. I had an idea of what to expect from my recent attendance at a Saturday language immersion event in Philadelphia several weeks earlier. The weekend consisted of the mandatory Irish language classes plus the usual workshops in Irish music and dance. Lectures were given bilingually, a Ceili with live Irish music was held Saturday evening, and Sunday morning church services were in Irish. I knew several of my fellow immersion attendees from my ILL Zoom class, IRWM, and EIC so that was a real plus, especially considering my communication skills, or lack thereof. The beds in the bunk room were comfy, the food in the camp dining room tasty, and the conversation and connections – absolutely priceless!

When I learned about a weeklong, summertime immersive Irish language course held in the Gaeltacht (an Irish-speaking region) in Ireland, I was ecstatic – for a whole minute. What? Study Irish in Ireland? Wow! Me? It seemed a bit far-fetched, until it wasn’t. I applied and I qualified for a study grant from Ireland’s Department of Tourism, and with affordable accommodations arranged by Oideas Gael, the prestigious college I would attend in County Donegal, I was on my way to Ireland to study Irish!

  Oideas Gael is an internationally acclaimed center of Irish language and culture. The college is in the heart of the Gaeltacht, in a native Irish-speaking village of two hundred residents called Gleann Cholm Cille. Found in northwestern County Donegal along the Wild Atlantic Way, Oideas Gael is perched high on a cliff across from Glen Head, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the valley below. 

Last summer was my first visit to Oideas Gael. I traveled with two of my Zoom classmates, meeting one of them in person for the first time at Dublin Airport. We became housemates in Gleann Cholm Cille and classmates at Oideas Gael. We three travel buddies navigated the week, the village and the college in Ireland together, and successfully. We learned a lot of Irish along the way.

This summer, I attended Irish classes at Oideas Gael on my own. I reacquainted myself with several people at the college I had met last year so I had Irish conversation outside of the classroom, as well. I am happy to report that my Irish has improved considerably and, as an added bonus, I learned to play the Bodhran, an Irish drum! In addition to continuing with my Irish language studies, I have recently begun Irish dancing lessons through Baltimore County Arts Guild, too. I know almost everyone in dance class! 

The simple act of learning to speak Irish has opened more doors for me than I could ever have imagined. Learning Irish challenges my brain and keeps it active between classes and homework. Irish dancing has provided my body with needed exercise I wasn’t getting before. But the best part is the comradery I’ve found at the Irish social events that I attend. Learning a new language has provided me with a healthier, more fulfilled lifestyle on every level that matters.

Who knew?

Learn more about the following organizations:

• Irish Railroad Workers Museum www.irishshrine.org
• Irish Language Learners www.irishlanguagelearners.com
• Daltai na Gaeilge www.daltai.com
• Emerald Isle Club www.emeraaldisleclub.com
• Baltimore Co Arts Guild www.bcartsguild.org

Sharon Schultz is a retired freelance photojournalist and proud Bay Boomer.