A Life in Irish Literature and Language

– A Conversation with Alan Titley

Season 2 - Episode #5

In this episode of Season 2 of The Language Question ~ Ceist na Teangan, host Finghin Mac Cárthaigh (Flor McCarthy) sits down with Alan Titley, renowned author, scholar, translator, and Professor Emeritus of Modern Irish.

Together, they explore how learning Irish (Gaeilge) can go far beyond grammar and vocabulary, opening powerful pathways into identity, heritage, and belonging.

Throughout the conversation, they reflect on the emotional power of Irish — from family connections and memory to the deep cultural meanings embedded within words. Alan shares insights from his extraordinary career, discussing the evolution of Irish-language literature, the importance of translation, and the enduring relevance of Gaeilge in a globalised world.

This episode reminds us that Irish is not simply something to learn — it is something to experience, feel, and live.

This Episode Celebrates:

The role of storytelling in learning Irish
The power of etymology to unlock meaning
The emotional connection between language, identity, and heritage
The importance of accessibility and community in language revival

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from Irish — or unsure where to begin — this episode will inspire you to start again.

S2 #5 A Life in Irish Literature and Language: A Conversation with Alan Titley by Finghin Mac Cárthaigh

A Conversation with Alan Titley

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Podcast Notes

A Lifetime Dedicated to the Irish Language

Alan Titley reflects on his early education in Cork and the formative experiences that shaped his lifelong passion for Gaeilge, leading to a distinguished career as a writer, academic, and cultural advocate.

A Prolific Voice in Irish Literature

As the author of numerous novels, plays, poetry collections, and short stories, Alan has made an extraordinary contribution to modern Irish literature, including An Bhean Feasa, the longest poem in modern Irish.

The Art and Power of Translation

Alan discusses his acclaimed translation of Máirtín Ó Cadhain’s Cré na Cille, published as The Dirty Dust, highlighting the creative challenges and cultural significance of translating Irish-language works for global audiences.

Irish as a Global and Indigenous Language

Drawing on his experiences in Nigeria and his engagement with global literary traditions, Alan explores the parallels between Irish and other indigenous languages, emphasising their role in cultural identity, intellectual life, and decolonisation.

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Slán tamall,
Finghin Mac Cárthaigh
Host – The Language Question ~ Ceist na Teanga

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More on Alan Titley

Alan Titley is an acclaimed author, scholar, playwright, poet, and translator. He has made an extraordinary contribution to Irish literature and language over several decades.

His celebrated translation of Máirtín Ó Cadhain’s Cré na Cille, published as The Dirty Dust by Yale University Press in 2015, brought one of the most important works of Irish-language literature to international acclaim. His literary achievements have earned numerous honours, including the Children’s Books Ireland Éilís Dillon Award.

Alan is Emeritus Professor of Modern Irish at University College Cork and a distinguished member of the Royal Irish Academy. He has also played a significant role in Irish-language broadcasting, including presenting Scéal na Gaeilge on TG4.

Since 2003, he has contributed a regular weekly column to The Irish Times, often writing under the pen name Crobhingne, where he offers insightful commentary on language, culture, politics, and contemporary society.

Learn more about Alan here:

Free Irish Learning Resources Guide

Whether you are just starting out or have already begun your language learning journey, I have compiled a collection of resources that should help you along the way.