Listen Up Irish Reading Challenge
A Conversation with Listen Up Irish Founders Patricia Nic Eoin & Joe Ó Fátharta
Season 2 – Episode #1
In the first episode of Season 2 of The Language Question, host Finghin Mac Cárthaigh (Flor McCarthy) speaks with Patricia Nic Eoin and Joe Ó Fátharta, founders of the Listen Up Irish Reading Challenge.
Together they explore how reading in Irish (Gaeilge) can open powerful new pathways into the language while deepening our connection to place, identity and cultural heritage.
Patricia and Joe share the story behind Listen Up Irish, an initiative that brings together Irish language learners and fluent speakers through literature. Their work encourages adults learning Irish to rediscover the language through storytelling, books and shared reading experiences.
Throughout the conversation, they reflect on the emotional resonance of Irish words tied to landscapes, family history and local traditions, reminding us that Irish is not simply a school subject but a living language connected to culture and belonging.
This episode explores:
The power of storytelling in the Irish language
How reading can accelerate language learning
The role of community in sustaining and revitalising Gaeilge
If you are learning Irish as an adult or reconnecting with the language later in life, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical insight.
Podcast Notes
Rediscovering Irish Through Reading
Patricia Nic Eoin and Joe Ó Fátharta discuss the origins of the Listen Up Irish Reading Challenge, created to give learners a welcoming space to experience Irish language literature in an accessible way.
Their approach encourages readers to explore modern Irish writing, moving beyond classroom learning into real, living language.
Language, Landscape and Belonging
Patricia describes the joy she feels when rediscovering Irish words associated with the fields and landscapes where she grew up.
Collecting old place-names, expressions and family vocabulary creates a powerful sense of continuity with previous generations. For many learners, Irish becomes a way of reconnecting with heritage and place.
Passing on the Joy of Gaeilge
Patricia speaks about the excitement — even “giddiness” — that comes from uncovering forgotten Irish words.
Through her teaching and her work with Listen Up Irish, she hopes to pass that same sense of discovery to learners who may not have grown up speaking the language but feel drawn to it.
Community and Shared Learning
Joe Ó Fátharta reflects on the importance of community in Irish language learning.
Initiatives like Listen Up Irish allow learners to read, discuss and enjoy Irish texts together, transforming the language into something lived and shared rather than simply studied.
Opening the Door to Irish Literature
The episode highlights the richness of contemporary Irish-language writing. While many associate Irish literature with historical texts, there is today a vibrant and growing community of modern writers and readers working in Gaeilge.
Reading Irish literature strengthens language skills while also deepening understanding of Ireland’s cultural and literary traditions.
Master Irish — One Story at a Time
A Three-Week Immersive Irish Challenge
The Listen Up Irish team are launching a three-week immersive challenge for adult learners, designed to help participants build confidence reading, listening and thinking in Irish through story.
Maybe you’ve started learning Irish before —read a few chapters or downloaded an app —and then lost momentum.
This challenge is designed to help you keep going and finish.
The Story: Ó Am go hAm
During the challenge, participants will read Ó Am go hAm (From Time to Time) — a historical story set during a Viking raid on an Irish monastery in the 8th century.
Through the story, you’ll explore the world of monks, manuscripts and Viking invasions, while experiencing Irish used naturally in context.
Originally written for younger readers, the book works beautifully for adult learners, offering accessible but authentic Irish.
Participants receive:
Guided audio recordings
Key vocabulary support
A clear structure to stay motivated
This approach allows learners to experience real storytelling — living Irish on the page, not textbook Irish.
Early Bird Pricing available until March 12
Register here:
Early Bird Price
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More on Patricia Nic Eoin & Joe Ó Fátharta
Patricia Nic Eoin
Patricia Nic Eoin is an Irish language teacher, author and advocate for adult Irish learners.
She is the founder of All About Irish, an online platform that teaches people to speak Irish (Gaeilge) through live online classes, with programmes for learners from complete beginners to advanced speakers.
Patricia is also the co-founder of Listen Up Irish, a reading challenge created with Joe Ó Fátharta to bring learners and fluent speakers together through Irish literature.
Learn more: Website
Instagram: Instagram
Joe Ó Fátharta
Joe Ó Fátharta is a journalist, writer, Irish language advocate and lecturer from Connemara.
He teaches Irish at Dublin City University (DCU) and has long been involved in promoting Irish language culture through journalism, media and education. Deeply connected to the Gaeltacht tradition, he works to encourage new generations to engage with Gaeilge.
Together with Patricia Nic Eoin, Joe co-founded Listen Up Irish, bringing readers and learners together through Irish literature.
Slán tamall, Finghin Mac Cárthaigh
Host – The Language Question
Episode Timestamps
0:00 – Welcome to Season 2 of The Language Question
1:10 – Introducing Patricia Nic Eoin & Joe Ó Fátharta
2:45 – The story behind the Listen Up Irish Reading Challenge
6:30 – Why reading is powerful for learning Irish
10:15 – Rediscovering Irish words connected to place and memory
14:05 – Gathering the names of fields and local words
18:20 – The emotional connection to landscape and belonging
22:40 – The joy (and “giddiness”) of discovering Irish
27:10 – Helping learners reconnect with Gaeilge through reading
32:00 – Irish identity and cultural heritage
36:45 – Advice for adults learning Irish today
41:20 – The future of Irish language communities
45:10 – How the Listen Up Irish challenge works
49:30 – Final reflections on language, belonging and culture
52:10 – How to access free Irish learning resources
53:00 – Closing remarks
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