Joe McHugh shares how he conquered Irish in the face of public backlash in new book

Deputy Joe McHugh. Photo: Thomas Gallagher

placeholder image — Deputy Joe McHugh. Photo: Thomas Gallagher

After being appointed Minister for the Gaeltacht despite having a limited grasp of Irish, Beidh Tú Alright tells the story of how the Carrigart man embraced the personal and public challenge to become a fluent speaker

Former Donegal TD and education minister Joe McHugh has shared how he overcame the daunting task of mastering Irish in the face of public backlashafter being appointed Gaeltacht minister in a new book.

The Carrigart man, who served as Minister of State and chief whip from 2014 to 2018 and as Minister for Education and Skills from 2018 to 2020, faced a public backlash when in July 2014 he was appointed Minister for Natural Resources, the Gaeltacht and the Islands by then Taoiseach Enda Kenny despite having a limited grasp of Irish.

The outcry from the Irish-speaking community was immediate, with protestors chanting “Aire gan teanga, Aire gan clue” (A minister without a language is a minister without a clue) outside Government Buildings.

But instead of retreating, the Fine Gael politician embraced this personal and public challenge, embarking on a journey to become a fluent Irish speaker.

In the new book, Beidh Tú Alright, McHugh - who retired from politics in November 2024 - shares his candid account of overcoming the daunting task of mastering Irish as an adult. He takes readers behind the scenes, revealing the emotional and intellectual struggles faced, and the deep connections he forged with the language, its history, and the Irish-speaking communities.

McHugh’s journey was not just about learning a language but rediscovering its cultural significance. From uncovering the meaning behind place names like Maam Cross and Gleann an Ghiolla Ghránna to finding inspiration in the landscapes of Bear Island and Gleann Cholm Cille, Beidh Tú Alright delves into how language can connect us to our heritage, our sense of place, and our own identity.

Beidh Tú Alright will be published in paperback by Red Stripe Press in February

McHugh emphasises that it’s never too late to learn Irish and offers readers practical insights from personal experience to help them on their language journey. With humour and honesty, he shares the tools and practices that helped him succeed, such as full-immersion language programmes and cultural explorations.

Beidh Tú Alright will be published in paperback by Red Stripe Press in February 2025. It will be launched in Donegal at 7pm on Saturday, February 8 in The Parish Hall, Carrigart with signings on Thursday, February 13 from 12:30pm to 2pm in SuperValu, Carndonagh and on Saturday, February 15 from 12:30pm to 2pm in Bookmark, Letterkenny Shopping Centre.