National festival Seachtain na Gaeilge 2025 recently took place from March 3rd to March 17th. The yearly event seeks to celebrate the national language and Irish culture. Foireann peile náisiúnta Phoblacht na hÉireann also known as the Republic of Ireland national football team is a major component to the country.
Some of our greatest moments on the world stage have come from this representation of the country. Euro 88, Italia 90, USA 94, World Cup 2002, Euro 2012 and more recently the boys in Green at Euro 2016.
Sheedy, Houghton, Whelan, Bonner, Keane, Duff, Hoolahan, Brady. The list goes on for memorable moments in a green jersey.
But why is it that we don’t use the language for players names on the back of the jersey and what would having the names on the back of the jersey do?
For one, it’s an acknowledgement of the language and the country the players represent. Secondly, it allows those wearing the jersey to honour their name or that of their parents or grandparents as well as the country.
Also, it would potentially steer players away who only look to Ireland as a plan B. Lastly, having the names in the national language, as Gaeilge, when representing Ireland just makes sense.
Here is an example of what a team could look like with their surnames as Gaeilge on the back of their shirt:
- Ó Ceilechair (Caoimhín Kelleher)
- Ó Brádaigh (Robbie Brady)
- Ó Briain (Jake O’Brien)
- Ó Coileáin (Nathan Collins)
- Ó Sé (Dara O’Shea)
- Ó Dochartaigh (Matt Doherty)
- Mac Neachtain (Jason Knight)
- Ó Cuiléan (Josh Cullen)
- Ó Móráin (Andrew Moran)
- Ó Fearghasa (Evan Ferguson)
- Mac an Pháirce (Troy Parrott)
As the well know seanfhocail says, Tír gan teanga. Tír gan anam. A country without a language is a country without a soul.
And one last Irish proverb seeing as the language is witnessing a big revival nowadays from people of all ages.
Buail an iarann te. Strike while the iron is hot.