At the time of the famine, Irish was the language of everyday life, of love-making, grief and sorrow, of farming, fighting and joking. Today, the language is the daily concern of a few, and an inconvenience for many. Most of us would like to speak more, but we're either short on time or too traumatised by our school experiences to strike out in search of the gra. Michael McCaughan was one such person. Curious but too busy and too tired, slightly embarrassed by his ability to speak Spanish more fluently than his national language - until, about to turn 50, he decided it was time to put learning Irish at the top of his bucket list. He hasn't looked back since. Packed with anecdotes and exercises, An Bhfuil Cead Agam? is at once the story of McCaughan's journey through the Irish language - the ups and downs, the breakthroughs and setbacks - and a guide for others anxious to follow in his footsteps.
