Despite University of Galway’s new President Professor David J. Burn’s promise to sustain his Duolingo streak as Gaeilge, his appointment was criticised due to his lack of proficiency in the Irish language.
Professor David J. Burn was appointed as the University of Galway’s new president in August, replacing Professor Peter McHugh who has served in the role on an interim basis since September 2024. Before this appointment, President Burn served as Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University in the UK.
President Burn is now president of the only official bilingual campus in Ireland. As such, the University of Galway aims to fulfil three goals: provide third level education through Irish, serve the Gaeltacht and the Irish language community, and create an exemplary bilingual campus.
Irish Language Officer for the University of Galway, Caroline Ní Fhlatharta, lead the University’s first Irish Language Strategy from 2021 to 2025. The strategy was launched in 2021, and the president at the time, Prof Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, chaired the Committee.
Ms Ní Fhlatharta provided an optimistic outlook on President Burn’s appointment:
“I understand the backlash he received to a certain extent, I think it wasn’t right. It’s very hard on the president coming in because it does seem that some of the backlash is aimed at him. I’ve met him and he genuinely does seem committed to the Irish language, so I’m hopeful.”
In contrast, Vice President for the Irish Language in the Students’ Union, Rachel Áine Ní Mharascáil, expressed frustration at what she sees as slow progress in meeting the college’s language goals, but she remained positive about President Burn.
“I can’t say that I wasn’t disappointed that he doesn’t have Irish, but the Students’ Union were part of the interviewing process.
“Out of all the candidates, he was the one we were the most happy with at the time. And he did announce a commitment to the Irish language, so he has seven years to prove himself on that.
“There are many things that should have been Irish from the start, and they aren’t. I chose University of Galway to speak Irish, and I was always a bit disappointed that the only way I can do it is socially.”
Ms Ní Fhlatharta agreed that there is much still to be done, but she also highlighted some recent initiatives as examples of positive improvements.
“The most amazing thing, I would say, that we offer at the University of Galway that other universities don’t, is that every student has the opportunity to do a diploma as Gaeilge; a diploma in Irish, alongside their undergrad or postgrad degree.
You can come out then with your qualifications, but also with an accredited qualification in Irish.
Funding is made available to other institutions as well to promote and make available the Irish language, but we are still seen as the bilingual university. I suppose it’s by virtue of where we’re located.
We introduced Irish language recognition awards for staff members that are doing classes, or are attending classes, or indeed who are working to promote the Irish language.
And we introduced the Scéim Chónaithe Gaeilge, it’s the Irish language residential scheme, which is on-campus accommodation for Irish-speaking students.”
As the University’s first Irish Language strategy comes to an end, the University reflects on its position as a bilingual campus, and looks towards developing new ways to provide Irish language supports for students.
But can it succeed without a Gaeilgeoir in the lead? Go n-éirí an t-ádh leat Prof. Burn!
(Caveat: this article is written by a non-Irish speaker)
