The Kneecap movie brings the Irish language to the forefront
The award-winning film Kneecap is screening at the University Concert Hall this Monday evening, March 10, in collaboration with Cumann Gaelach. The Irish language film has garnered worldwide attention, putting a spotlight on the Irish language and history.
The film is set in West Belfast and follows the schoolteacher, JJ, who gets in contact with the self-proclaimed ‘low life scum’ Naoise and Liam Óg. They got together and became figureheads for the Irish language, rapping in their native Irish tongue.
This is the first event for Aonad na Gaeilge, the start of their Seachtain na Gaeilge.
Kneecap has been pioneering the Irish language for a worldwide audience, leading to many being “prouder to be Irish”, as said by Aisling Lydon, a University of Limerick student.
The language and history of Ireland being used in the movie has gotten it back on the map.
According to Sarah Madden, a UL Arts student, nobody is interested in the Irish language anymore, however, this movie has helped encourage interest again.
“This movie makes it interesting for a younger audience,” especially with the language has previously been classified as a “dying language”, said another student.
Many children in school have a difficult time learning the language, but as said by UL students Sarah Harkin and Sinead Kearns, Kneecap has “definitely inspired teens in school to learn the language”
The University Concert Hall is hosting the event. Box office assistant Amanda Leddin says the event is “really important” as this is showcasing the Irish language to an audience who might see it as “uncool or that no one speaks it”.
The event will take place at the University of Limerick Concert Hall in the UCH Cinema at 7:30pm this evening, March 10.