Start having conversations in Irish today
Learn to speak Irish effectively
Frequently Asked Questions
I offer one free, 15-minute online Irish lesson on Skype and Zoom without any charge. I realize that learning a new language is a time commitment. By offering you a free lesson you get the opportunity to know me better.
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A free trial online Irish lesson is only available to first-time Students. This free lesson is both an evaluative session, as well as an informative one. My goal is to understand your level and your desire in learning Irish!
No. I don’t require you to buy specific books. However, I do offer material for classes.
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Lessons will start on the hour and last for 45 minutes. Lesson start times will be agreed on at the time of booking.
Log in to your Skype account 5 minutes before the class time and wait for my call. Once it’s time for the class to begin, I will call you. You will see an “answer” and a “reject” button. Click on the “answer” button to start the lesson.
How to Participate in a Zoom Meeting. I will send Invite by email one minute before the class time. Just click on the invitation to join the meeting.
I believe in the most important method to teaching a language is conversational.
This is also the aspect where most students suffer vs. reading and writing. Thus I will focus on the building blocks to making your conversational skills in Irish reach new heights.
These include teaching new vocabulary, pronunciations, grammar, and colloquial speaking habits – the latter is especially difficult to learn in a textbook!
Just like a conversation, a teaching session is dynamic and will go as slow or fast as the student needs before they move on.
Beginner Irish students will learn things like understanding and saying frequently used expressions (ie. How are you? What is your name? Where is the bathroom?)
Advanced Irish students can express their ideas and feelings articulately, and understand various complex situations.
Lastly, students preferring to focus on a subject such as “traveling to Ireland”, the lessons will focus on learning how to deal in everyday situations when traveling in Gaeltacht region.
I will assess your language level and discuss your specific learning goals during the trial session. I will then customize the lessons based on this.
The fact of the matter is that everyone learns at different paces, and has different learning goals. You have the flexibility on focusing on certain topics, grammatical points etc, in which you are having trouble with.
I will try to speak as much Irish as possible during practice and instruction.
Your brain will learn best when it is stretched in a new capacity, in this case, speaking a higher-level of Irish!
There will be times where English may be used for complete understanding, but you will find that this will be less and less as you improve.
At the end of the day, “learning” a language is communicating verbally. This is what I focus on, in a 1-on-1 environment.
Paraic Donoghue actively encourages student progress and commitment to self-study, but cannot take responsibility for lack of individual progress.
Classes start punctually, and so does the end of the lesson. The best thing to do is to email me letting me know how long you will be late.
Consistency is key. If you want to become fluent quickly, you must practice the Irish language every day.
For maximum effectiveness, lessons should be held as often as possible. So deciding how often to take lessons really depends on your goals.
Things happen and sometimes you need to tend to priorities. I ask for 24 hours notice in event of a cancellation. Students who fail to provide 24 hours advanced notice will be charged in full for that scheduled lesson. No more than 2 cancellations per lesson is considered a forfeited lesson.
Paraic Donoghue holds the right to cancel lessons due to illness, emergencies or at times of technical difficulties and where this occurs, Paraic Donoghue will reschedule the lesson, or when this is not possible, issue a full refund.
I will discuss a schedule with each student to accommodate your individual needs. From time to time, I will not be available to teach (Some weekdays and holidays etc.) but you will be informed of this well in advance.
Lessons will take place on a date and time suitable to both student and teacher, taking into account international time zones.
Lesson start times will be agreed on at the time of booking.
A paid student will set the first lesson with me immediately after purchase. A great idea would be to set a weekly schedule for yourself.
45 Minutes. This is an optimal length as it allows for a lot to be covered and for students to maintain their concentration levels.
It’s also short enough to squeeze into students busy lives! I often work back-to-back lessons and may need the few minutes for a quick breather in between lessons.
This also helps make sure that the lesson does not overlap with another.
No. The class fee is all you pay. I accept Paypal payments where you have the freedom to use popular credit cards.
Paraic Donoghue requires the payment is received in advance of each lesson package.
Mastery
All around the world
Testimonials
Here you’ll find praise and testimonials from my students from all around the globe!
“I chanced up Paraics website and was immediately drawn to his message. He didn’t disappoint. Far from it. During our lessons we discussed topics that I and he were drawn to which made every lesson enjoyable and of great value. I highly recommend Paraic as a tutor in Irish, because not only did I learn the confidence to actually speak “ as Gaeilge “ but we tackled heritage, music, mythology and things dear to my heart.”
Aine
“Paraic is an fíorrud — the ‘real thing.’ He teaches through conversation, the way you would naturally learn to speak and listen. Sessions with him are not only a lot of fun. They have helped me understand the traditions and worldview of the Irish people while engaging with Irish as a living language. Low stress, high interest, real gains in fluency — what more could I ask? I highly recommend his lessions for learners of every level.”
Rick
“This is not just textbook teaching but a language experience that stays with you. Fundamental to this, was Paraic’s patience and encouragement which helped bring about massive improvements in my spoken Irish. As a native speaker, and proud west of Ireland man, imparting his undoubted grá for his culture and heritage, Paraic gives you hope for the future status of the language.”
Dáithí
Since he is a native speaker of Irish and knows the culture so well, he was able to give me an overview of the language and deeper understanding of Irish culture and language. It’s clear he loves the Irish language and he communicates that clearly.
Karen
He has a teaching style that uniquely embraces the principles of adult learning. He has dropped me in the deep end of the beautiful mystery of the Irish language and patiently, and with good humour, is teaching me to swim to shore!
Annmaree
Paraic also gave me great insight into the culture of the Conamara Gaeltacht, and even though I was working hard, our conversations were always great fun.
Seán
While anyone can learn vocabulary from a dictionary…one clear advantage Paraic has is the vocabulary that is actually used in Connemara, an Irish speaking area in the west of Ireland!
Peadar
Paraic has a down-to-earth, laid-back temperament. He taught me Irish, but, in turn, about Irish culture: the former being the key to better understanding the latter. I have learned that language cannot be separated from its people.!
Kevin
For the last 6 months I have been getting lessons and there has been an amazing improvement in my ability to Converse in irish!
John
Irish is in his very blood, and he is passionate about his language and culture!
Fiona
Paraic inspires and challenges the willing learner to new heights!
Michael
We touched on countless topics during our conversations and I was casually learning all this new vocab pertaining to things that interested me!
Ciara
There is one item on my bucket list and that is to be able to maintain a conversation with a native Irish speaker. Paraic, with his beautiful Irish and Connemara blas was a real find. He patiently let me practise on him and would now and then interrupt with “Now the way we would say that in Connemara is………….!
Sally
Paraic is expert at keeping that pace just a bit ahead of you, not so slow as to be boring, not so fast as to be discouraging, so that you keep moving closer to your goal!
Kathy
Chatting with Paraic in Irish was of inestimable value in developing confidence and a fairly sophisticated vocabulary. It was the key factor in my getting a fáinne óir, the symbol of fluency in Irish Gaelic.
G. Walsh
Today, I find at least 70 percent of our conversation is spoken in Irish. Had you told me six months ago that I’d have made this kind of progress I never would have believed you!
Shane
I will be able to achieve my long held dream of speaking Irish with confidence and pride. Paraic’s lessons are always easy going and interesting with a gentle pressure to push the limits of my conversational abilities and confidence!
Frank
Irish is Paraic’s first language, what he has to offer a student is invaluable, and the stories and insight he often shares about his homeland provides a precious and rich context for the language!
Cody
Although I’ve been trying to learn Irish my entire life, I’ve never felt confident speaking it. Since I’ve started taking lessons from Paraic this has changed. While I still have a long way to go, Paraic’s encouragement has seen my Irish improve noticeably in a few short months!
Peadar
As someone who is learning Irish to be able to communicate and interact with people this has been a key element for me. The lessons are helpful, challenging, great fun and always interesting covering a wide range of topics!
Max
Paraic has uncovered a passion for this language greater than I even thought I had. He teaches based on the individual needs of the student while making a comfortable and fun space for learning to happen!
Patrick
He provides a wonderfully low-stress yet highly effective environment in which to learn from a native speaker
Joey
No need for grammar books or dictionaries – learn the way we learnt as children – start talking!
Bob
Paraic possesses a skill set that is sorely lacking from the Irish language learning space – he’s a native speaker who is also a gifted teacher!
Frank
Brilliant lessons!! I wanted to focus on the everyday stuff I say in English with my friends, family and kids and that’s what we did. I and my children are using Gaelige way more as a result!
Ciaran
I loved the fact that he concentrates on conversational Irish that you could use in the home chatting to the kids or out and about in the community. Im lucky enough to live in a Gealtacht area and so can practice on poor unsuspecting individuals!
Julia
He’s a wonderful ambassador for the Irish language and his love for it and for the land and people of Connemara are evident!
Ann
He is also a natural conversationalist. You won’t have any trouble finding interesting things to talk about. It’s great to speak with a person who grew up with Irish in his blood!
Cormac
This is a whole new, fresh and positive approach to learning our beautiful language!
Frank
I liked the way Paraic linked the language with culture, history and some anthropological observations, thus teaching me not only Irish but the mentality of the people of his native Connemara.!
Olga
My twin boys Just completed 10 weeks of conversational Irish. Paraic tailored the sessions well to suit the short attention span of a typical 9 year old. I would highly recommend Paraic for anyone of any age who wants to learn Irish from scratch or brush up on the language!
Aoife
He is well-read and able to discuss a wide variety of subjects. In addition, since my primary interest is in the Connemara dialect, it is an added bonus that Paraic was raised in Connemara through Irish and is able to pass on his knowledge of the area as well as the language, though it is clear that his knowledge extends well beyond that region!
Anthony
His knowledge of the culture is vast and he offers it with a great sense of humor!
Ben
Most of the time I don’t feel like I’m in a class, such is the great teaching methods used by Paraic!
Robert
As a native Connemara speaker with the passion and ingenuity to teach the language online, he’s worth his weight in gold!
Neasa
Already in 10 short weeks, I feel like I have truly connected to the language and culture through Paraic.!
Patrick
“I have just completed my first ten lessons with Paraic and recommend him highly both as a person and as a teacher. And, thanks to SKYPE, it’s like being in the same room with him.!
Bob
Returning to learning Irish with Paraic is fun and incredibly rewarding.
Siobhan
Paraic will bring you through conversations on topics related to politics, current affairs, family, friends, the latest news bulletin, religion, it really doesn’t matter, the only thing that matters is that it matters to you, and once it matters to you, it matters to Paraic!
Micheal
He is an inspirational teacher of this wonderful language—so much so that each week I find myself devoting more and more time to it!
Ruth
After 15 sessions, I am now able to have conversations with Paraic in Irish about daily events and topics I enjoy!
Beth
I was struggling with things such as pronouncing verbs in the different tenses or understanding when to use Irish words in different contexts. These are things that are hard to understand when learning off textbooks or other educational materials so having a native speaker clarify the concepts is very helpful!
Fred
There is only so far that books can take you. Paraic’s approach through conversational immersion has really helped my ear and helped me to be able to form some of my own sentences, giving me a bit of courage to try to speak the language independently. Irish can be quite a frustrating and amazing language and paraic’s humor and patience has kept me going at times!
Síle
He believes in me more than I do and he has a real love for the language of his own youth and country and that really comes out in how he teaches.!
Matt
You will learn Irish focusing on areas relevant to you – things that you would speak about in an everyday conversation and things that interest you. And lastly, learning from a native speaker exposes you to true colloquial Irish, with a healthy dose of Irish culture!
Mike
As someone who came through the whole school system without being able to hold a basic conversation in Irish, I found Paraic’s classes a breath of fresh air!
Fergal
What stands out is his curiosity and variety of interests – the focus from the start is on communication rather than worrying about grammatical rules, and the sessions quickly began to feel more like chats about the meaning of life than classes!
Micheal
Just recently I had a native Irish speaker praising my Irish and I don’t think that would have happened without me having worked with Paraic over the past few months!
Marie
After 20 weekly chats with Páraic my ability to converse has advanced enormously – far less panic and anxiety, much greater fluency, much more ability to engage proactively in converation and as a result I feel much more relaxed about speaking the language!
Michael
Paraic has a natural ability to make you feel at ease as a learner, his classes don’t feel like lessons, he adapts the content and direction of the classes to your needs and as the conversations flows the skype sessions feel like a catch up with a friend!
Julie
“After the first few lessons with Paraic I found myself having the confidence to talk with my aunt in Irish on the phone, near the end of the set of ten i was able to converse over dinner with a cousin who is studying Irish in university!
Seosamh
He is an excellent teacher and works with the Irish you have as well as building upon that foundation!
Oonagh
He was very responsive to any questions I had and overall it was a very special experience to practice my spoken skills with him, a native speaker of Irish from Conamara, and ‘múinteoir go smior!
Sinead
Lessons from Paraic have had the added benefit of learning from a native speaker from a Gaeltacht area, complete with stories, humour and context for what you’re learning!
Lizzie
It is lovely language that has sprung up from the people of Ireland over the centuries and, just like our traditional music, its a delight to experience it from someone who embodies it, as Paraic does!
Tim
He always comes prepared to introduce you to new topics if you haven’t any idea where to go next. Especially interesting to me were the key tiny phrases and daily vocabulary of an everyday speaker, that you probably won’t find so easily from other sources!
Gairnéad
Paraic is a master of both the language and the culture and can’t help but teach both. I challenge you not to find his lessons intriguing, enjoyable and highly educational!
Conor
He is patient, encouraging and has beautiful Conamara Irish. I feel that I have progressed greatly in our ten lessons (listening and speaking skills)!
Conal
The conversations were realistic, about everyday life’s , they were relevant, and you could gradually build up your vocabulary!
Kathy
Paraic is extremely patient as I struggle with speaking. He will offer suggestions while pointing out what I said correctly. More importantly, our conversations are fascinating. We discuss the connection between native cultures with the land, the philosophies of personal freedom and Connemara culture. Our lessons are like two neighbours getting together each week to put the world to rights!
John
Add a touch of Connemara humour to the recipe and what you get is the best value lessons for your money!
Frank
He uses various techniques to ensure the student is always learning, never resting on their laurels and provides great feedback which helps the student stay positive and focused on making progress!
Peter
Being a native speaker, he not only has a lot of technical knowledge of the language but is an amazing resource for the context of the living language as it is spoken at home or between friends!
Jillian
Most of the time it felt like I was chatting with a friend. He’s extremely encouraging and very patient and tailors the lessons to students’ needs!
Fiona
He asked good questions and came up with a variety of natural conversation topics, so the lessons were fun and interesting, and my ability to speak in Irish improved!
Molly
He moved the lessons at a pace that suited me but also created a learning environment that required me to stretch my abilities. Paraic’s own west of Ireland roots are a real asset to the teaching!
Hazel
Being a native speaker, Paraic has also given me a great insight to the language, idiomatic expressions and cultural insights from his native Connemara.!
Jeffery
After just three lessons, I was able to chat away about the matters that are most important to me, and by the end of the course, my level of Irish had improved exponentially!
Gina
Anybody interested in learning Irish will find Paraic’s depth of knowledge, humor and patience adds a new dimension and enthusiasm to this beautiful, ancient language!
Mike
Paraic broke me from the restrictions of “textbook” learning and had me using the language—as a living language and not just words on paper—during the first lesson!
Elena
His style is unassumingly genuine, encouraging and kind!
Marcella
He also shared a lot of wisdom from the culture in Connemara and idioms of the language that I never would have come to on my own.
Karen
Our classes are free from judgement, tests and criticism and it’s a wonderfully neutral place for language acquisition, learning and self-growth!
John
Paraic’s approach to teaching isn’t one of rote learning and grammar; but one which develops the individual’s confidence to use the language as a spoken, living means of communication!