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Travel with Rick Steves

557 Speaking in Irish; On the Wind; Irish Craic

Travel with Rick Steves

Rick Steves

Places & Travel, Rick Steves, Travel, Public Radio, 721132, Society & Culture, Npr, Europe

4.52.5K Ratings

🗓️ 16 March 2019

⏱️ 51 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Hear how the Irish language, once banned by English colonial rulers, has re-assumed its place at the heart of Irish identity. Then listen in as musician Kieran O'Hare explains why he finds Irish bagpipes more pleasing than the better-known Scottish ones, and plays a few traditional tunes on the Irish tin whistle. And eavesdrop on a pair of Irishmen from opposite ends of the island as they share a beer and a little banter with Rick.

For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcript

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0:00.0

The traditions of Ireland are doing better than ever.

0:03.0

In fact, the old Celtic language that had to be hidden from the colonial rulers is now a required course in school.

0:09.0

The Irish language is so close to our hearts and it's an expression of what we stand for as Irish people.

0:14.0

Coming up, we'll also hear how the 18th century Ellen Pipes, a uniquely Irish type of bagpipe or making a comeback.

0:20.0

Ellen is a funny word, it's an Irish word for elbow, and it is the most complex form of bagpipe in the world.

0:27.0

And we'll share a bit of the teasing that's part of the crack you might find out a lively Irish pub.

0:31.0

Because we've been oppressed and ruled for so long,

0:35.0

we kind of had to make fun of ourselves.

0:37.0

And the Irish are known for being good storytellers too.

0:40.0

Remember that time at the Hurling Championship?

0:43.0

Mohammed Ali watched the final once in our Prime Minister turned to him and said,

0:46.0

would you like to be out there with a stick, Mohammed?

0:48.0

And he said, I'd hate to be out there without one.

0:49.0

It's an all-Irish hour ahead on Travel with Rick Steves.

0:52.8

Stay with us.

0:53.8

In Ireland, they call it The Crack, Coming up on this St. Patrick's Day edition of Travel with

1:06.0

Rick Steve's, we get a taste of the ribbing and friendly banter that you might encounter

1:10.3

in the pubs of Ireland from a couple of friends who live in the Irish traditions breathing with the illenpipe and the tin whistle. If there's one

1:25.7

thing everyone in Ireland can agree on, it's that the Irish really have a way with

1:30.4

words. Let's start with a look at the eloquence that springs from their

1:34.2

original Celtic language. Derehalehi grew up speaking Irish as his first

1:39.1

language on the scenic Dingell Peninsula in the southwest of Ireland. His family runs the Dingle Music Shop. Musicians

...

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