Learn Irish through Literature
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A course for intermediate and advanced Irish learners to increase vocabulary and improve listening skills. The best way to learn - immerse yourself in the Irish language
Learn Irish effortlessly and at your own pace by listening to authentic literature in the Irish language, narrated by a native Irish speaker from Connemara.
Yes! Improve my Irish with Irish Literature
14-Day Refund Policy • Instant Access • No Hidden Fees
Enjoy a classic short story; a hilarious satire; and a modern day award winning novel.
Yes! Improve my Irish with Irish Literature
14-Day Refund Policy • Instant Access • No Hidden Fees
1.
M'Asal Beag Dubh le Pádraic Ó Conaire
Pádraic Ó Conaire is widely regarded as one of the most important Irish language writers of the early 20th century.
M'Asal Beag Dubh was published in the short story collection 'An Crann Géagach' in 1919, and is perhaps the best known and most loved of Ó Conaire's short stories.
2.
An Béal Bocht le Myles na gCopaleen
Myles na gCopaleen was the pen name of Brian Ó Nualláin, a prolific author and columnist.
Published in 1941 An Béal Bocht is a laugh out loud satirical novel which has earned the status of a classic of Irish literature.
3.
Madame Lazare le Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin
Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin is a musician, publisher and author living in the Cois Fharraige Gaeltacht in Co. Galway.
Published in 2021 Madame Lazare is a gripping modern day novel set in Aran, Brussels and Paris. It was awarded the An Post Irish Language Book of the Year in 2021 and was Ireland's entry for the EU Prize for Literature in 2022, where it received a Special Mention.
14-Day Refund Policy • Instant Access • No Hidden Fees
How exactly does the course work?
Train your ear to the sound of natural Irish, strengthen your vocabulary, and start speaking with more ease—no textbook required. Learn at your own pace wherever and whenever suits you best.
Step 1
Listen to the story (read by Joe, a native speaker from South Connemara).
Step 2
Follow along with ease using the parallel bilingual text.
Step 3
Reinforce learning with extra video and audio resources
14-Day Refund Policy • Instant Access • No Hidden Fees
The package of content related to each work of literature contains:
Audio
Recordings
Studio quality audio recordings of the short story and selected extracts from both novels.
Bilingual
Texts
Downloadable texts (in English and Irish) of all audio recordings, with explanations.
Vocabulary
Builder
Audio recording of interesting words and phrases selected from each work of literature.
Background
Information
Additional information on the each work of literature and the author in audio and text format.
"I'd love to be able to read real literature in the Irish language, but I just don't know where to start!"
We have chosen three classic works of literature in the Irish language and broken them down to make them accessible to anyone with an interest in the Irish language. Let us guide you so that you can enjoy these great works too!
Not only will you be getting a closer insight into Irish culture but the combination of text and audio recordings will really boost your learning in Irish.
And did we mention that you'll be laughing out at loud at some of the passages we've chosen?!
14-Day Refund Policy • Instant Access • No Hidden Fees
What exactly is included to help me speak Irish?
Here’s what you get when you join:
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âś…Â Authentic Content
No stiff, artificial “learner dialogues.” You’ll be listening to authentic Irish language literature with heart, rhythm, and cultural depth, true classics of Irish literature!
âś…Â Native Speaker Audio
Hear how Irish is really spoken with native pronunciation — and improve your own listening and pronunciation naturally. 3 x audio recording (M'Asal Beag Dubh and selected extracts from An Béal Bocht and Madame Lazare)
âś…Â Bilingual Text Downloads
No flipping through a dictionary. Each piece of literature is accompanied by a parallel text, side-by-side in Irish and English, that you can print off so you can follow with ease.
âś…Â Supporting Materials
Never feel lost. Summaries, cultural background, and explanations help you fully grasp what’s happening.
âś…Â Highlighted Vocabulary
We point out key words, useful phrases, and idiomatic expressions that you can use in everyday Irish conversation.
âś…Â Built-In Repetition
Important terms and language patterns are reinforced in smart, spaced ways — helping them stick for the long term.
âś…Â Consistent, Gentle Progress and Online Support
Work your way through each of the three pieces of literature at your own pace and develop a consistent learning routing — the content chosen will keep you engaged without overwhelm. Ask any questions online within the course platform
âś…Â Short, Focused Lessons
The course is divided into short, focused lessons. Perfect for busy people who want to make steady progress.
âś…Â Learn On the Go
Use the free app to listen while walking, commuting, or relaxing. Learn wherever you are.
âś…Â Lifetime Access
Enjoy lifetime access to the course.
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Get an insight into the richness of literature in the Irish language the easy way — We’ll Do the Hard Work!
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14 DAY NO FUSS MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!
Try out the course and if it's not right for you, let us know within 14 days of the date of purchase via email and get your money back!
Learn on the go!
Use the free Kajabi app to access your course directly from your phone, giving you more opportunities for practice and learning!
Laugh out loud to some of the pieces chosen while out for a walk or chilling on the couch!
Is it necessary to buy the books?
For how long will I have access to the material?
When does the course start and finish?
What if questions arise during the course?
What level of learner is this course suitable for?
How do I access the course content?
14-Day Refund Policy • Instant Access • No Hidden Fees
What makes this course so effective for learning Irish?
Entertaining Content
M'Asal Beag Dubh is a classic of Irish literature and familiar to generations of school children in Ireland; An Béal Bocht is laugh out loud funny; and Madame Lazare is a gripping and beautifully written page turner!
Lots of listening!
Listening is one of the best ways to learn a language. Listen at your own pace (slow the speed up or down); whenever and wherever you want. The excerpts are read by Joe, a native Irish speaker, and are a joy to listen to!
Learning with others
Knowing that you are part of a larger endeavour, and reading and listening at the same time as a group of Irish learners all over Ireland and the world is very motivating! Become part of the worldwide Irish language community.
Your Guides
Patricia Nic Eoin is from Kinvara, Co. Galway and is the founder and owner of All About Irish, and co-founder of Listen Up Irish. She has worked with some of the major names in language learning (The Michel Thomas Method; the Olly Richards Story learning method).
Patricia is a qualifed solicitor and accredited Irish language translator. She has worked for the European Commission as both a translator and legal officer.
Patricia is passionate about teaching Irish and is absolutely thrilled to collaborate with Joe on the Learn Irish Through Literature course!Â
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 Joe Ó Fatharta is a native Irish speaker from Indreabhán in Co. Galway, and is an honours graduate of the Irish Studies programme at the University of Galway, and is a co-founder of Listen Up Irish.
Joe's research on the image of the Gael in Myles na gCopaleen's journalism from 1940 -1943 was awarded the highest mark ever in the Irish Studies course.
Joe is deeply interested in Irish literature and creative writing. He worked on the set of Ros na Rún, the Irish language soap opera set in Connemara, for a number of years and currently teaches Irish to undergraduate students at Dublin City University.
14-Day Refund Policy • Instant Access • No Hidden Fees
Learn Irish Through Poetry
If you like the look of our Literature course you may also be interested in our 'Learn Irish Through Poetry' course. Click on the button below to find out more.
LEARN IRISH THROUGH POETRY