Hundreds of years of British rule on the island of Ireland saw the native language demoted to the vernacular of peasants and the poor. English was the language for advancement. After partition, Irish republicans in West Belfast were determined to revive their native tongue. During the violent years of the Troubles, jailed IRA men became synonymous with the revival of Gaelic. But over the past 20 years, and as peace takes hold, many say that speaking Irish must be allowed rise above politics.

Watch Clare Murphy’s special report: Northern Ireland: Old wounds reopened in Belfast
Programme prepared by Elise Duffau and Patrick Lovett

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