Thread challenging cultural supremacy

1893: Thomas Lea, Unionist MP, South Derry – Proposes that Irish should be banned in National Schools and in Courts.

1899: Dr John Mahaffy, Unionist based in Trinity College – Discourages teaching of Irish in Palles Report, suggesting it a mischievous waste of time and that Irish language literature had no academic or education value.

1900:James Rentoul, Unionist MP for SthDown –Expresses Irish has no value,opposes bilingual signage, & expresses a desire for Irish to die out

1906: John Lonsdale, Unionist MP for MidArmagh describes Conradh na Gaeilge as ‘inspired by hatred & all things English.’

1912:Unionist politicians bring forward a proposal that only English be used in any new parliament, in courts & in the Civil Service

1922:New Unionist Government post partition states:“What do we want with the Irish Language here? There is no need for it at all”

1922: Department of Education removes post of Irish Language Organiser: “There is no such thing as an organiser of Irish Language.”

1922/23:Grants paid to the Irish Teacher Training Colleges in Belfast removed; bilingual programme ceased in the Tyrone Gaeltacht.

1923: Lyn Report: Irish restricted to 90 minutes per week teaching in Primary School: “Irish occupies a preferential position for which, in our judgement, there is no justification.”

1923: New Education Act for Northern Ireland: Irish banned as an optional subject in 5th Standard. Numbers studying Irish decline by 50% within two years.

1926: Irish banned as an optional extra in Standards 3 and 4, 70% of students studying Irish have to cease their study of the language.

1927:Comhaltas Uladh told: “Lord Charlemount is a Minister of firmness & backbone & the members of the Gaelic League have found he is neither to be cajoled nor threatened into doing something which would be subversive of true educational interests of Province"

1933: All payment towards the teaching of Irish in Primary Schools ceased. Would remain so for over 80 years.

1936: Lord Craigavon: “What use is it here in this progressive busy part of the Empire to teach our children the Irish Language? What use would it be to them? Is it not leading them along a road which has no practical value? We have not stopped such teaching; we have stopped the grants – simply because we do not see that these boys being taught Irish would be any better citizens”

1942: Grand Lodge of Ireland (OrangeOrder): “That the Government of NI be asked to remove from the Curriculum of the Ministry of Education the Irish language, and that no facilities be given in public, secondary or elementary schools for the teaching of such.”

And An Dream Dearg and the Irish language community is being accused of CULTURAL SUPREMACY??? Anois an t-am. Now is the time for change. Now is the time for rights.

#AchtAnois