Recent Developments
The Modern Irish language classes, begun in 2006 thanks to a most generous initial grant from the Irish government, and taught by Dr Kaarina Hollo at all levels from beginners to advanced speakers, have kept up in their popularity. In celebration of this ongoing fruitful relationship, the Department took great pleasure in hosting, in October 2008, a highly enjoyable and spirited reading (along with flute music) of selections from his translation of Táin Bó Cúailnge by Professor Ciarán Carson, in the presence of Mr Ciarán Byrne, the cultural attaché of the Irish Embassy. We have recent news that the Irish government has generously offered further funding for the next three years (2009-12), so that classes can continue as a valuable resource for all members of the University.
The Icelandic government has likewise shown steady generosity in providing funds for
courses in Modern Icelandic in the Department for a number of years. They are being
taught by Vicky Cribb (Newnham, 1984), who embarked upon a PhD (on Sturlunga saga) in
the Department in October 2008, after several years working as a free-lance translator of
Icelandic.