This film is subtitled.

Sa chlár seo ghlacann Dr Fergal Mac Ionnrachtaigh muid tríd stair speisiúil na Gaeilge. Ón chéad ionradh a rinne na Normannaigh i 1166 go dtí fás na Gaelscolaíocht ó thuaidh inniu. Míníonn Fergal an ról a bhí ag príosúnaigh poblachtánacha i scéal maireachtáil na Gaeilge agus an dóigh a d’úsáid siad an teanga sna céadta don streachailt.

‘D’úsáid siad an Ghaeilge mar theanga cumarsáide chun eolas a choinnéail faoi cheilt ó na bairdéirí ach bhí sí bainte le féin-aithne, d’úsáid siad an teanga mar ghléas streachailte agus níos tabhachtaí na sin mar ghléas maireachtála.’

Dr Fergal Mac Ionnrachtaigh takes us through the fascinating history of the Irish language. From the first Norman invasion of 1166 to the growth of Irish language education in the North. Fergal explains republican prisoners role in the survival of the Irish language and how they used the language throughout centuries of struggle.

‘While in prison Irish was used as a way to communicate, it was a way to keep information secret from the wardens but it was also linked to their identity but most importantly of all it was used as an instrument to help them survive while in prison.’