I've discovered that the true propensity of the Irish for conversation is revealed by their taxi drivers. By the time we arrived in Maynooth, I seem to recall that we were discussing Saddam Hussein and the tragedy that his rule, coupled with international sanctions against Iraq, has wrought. The driver who brought me back from the airport after winter vacation was fascinated by my course of study, if a little defensive when I said I found Old Irish a difficult language. He sends his children to an Irish language only school, and although he himself speaks little Irish, he thinks it's vitally important that it should remain a vibrant, spoken language here. He gave me a brief lecture on the various different dialects of Modern Irish, and condemned what he sees as the government's attempt to simplify and standardise the language.
Life is good.
More next month.