Paraic Donoghue

"I’d been trying to learn Irish for a few years from DVDs/CDs but wasn’t making much progress.  There are no Irish classes near where I live in England so I decided to search online for a native speaker who offered one-to-one tuition and spoke the Connemara dialect.  This was how I found Paraic, and that’s when the real adventure of my journey in Irish began. At first I was struggling with many aspects of the language and was painfully aware of my weaknesses, but Paraic was never critical and always with good humour managed to push me in the right direction.  Paraic crafts the lessons and the homework around my interests and hobbies, and this is just one of the things that makes learning with him both topical and fun. He is patient and encouraging, and the lessons are always entertaining. I’d almost given up on ever learning Irish properly but I’m pleased I didn’t.  After about five months of tuition from Paraic I’m very happy with my progress and will be continuing with the lessons to build on this.  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

“I started taking lessons with Paraic about two months ago and my vocabulary and confidence have increased enormously. I really appreciate Paraic’s kindness and reassurance, as well as his strategy of just getting me talking before ironing out the mistakes. Returning to learning Irish with Paraic is fun and incredibly rewarding. I’ve even joined a conversation group to practice what I’m learning and I just jump with confidence!” Siobhán

"As a native speaker, Paraic is able to clarify Irish sounds and grammar and support you in speaking Irish quickly! Skype lessons with Paraic are very convenient and flexible to fit into your schedule." Christina

  “Like many people in Ireland I was unable to speak the language comfortably and that despite a lifetime of ‘learning’ Irish. 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 ………..”. This was very encouraging as I was conscious of my dictionary Irish and that was exactly what I wanted to know. It’s such a privilege to share Irish with a native speaker. Go raibh maith agat Paraic.” Sally  

“I have commenced my Irish learning journey with Paraic. 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. Paraic's passion for the language is inspiring and motivating. I find myself, as if by magic, developing a solid foundation to further my language skills.” Annmaree

"Coming back to the Gaeilge after so many years away, I was apprehensive at first and wondered what was in store. Rest assured, Paraic made the lessons as relaxed as possible and actually fun to relearn. Most of the time I don't feel like I'm in a class, such is the great teaching methods used by Paraic. Whether you are a new student or someone coming back to the language I would not hesitate at all in signing up. You won't regret it - go n-eiri leat!." Robert

"I am a Canadian presently living in Vancouver. I heard about Paraic in a discussion on one of the Gaelic language learners' websites. Paraic is a great teacher. I started taking weekly lessons from him about two months ago. At that time I had a bit of Irish, mostly nouns and verbs. However,through weekly sessions with an emphasis on conversation, I was able to get to a place where I could carry on a conversation that could be understood. As a teacher, Paraic is very skilled at letting the conversation develop,and then stepping in at the right moment to clarify something or to suggest another way it could be said. I recently went to the Connemara Gaeltacht and surprised myself by being able to carry on conversations with people in shops, pubs and at our accommodations. What also comes through in his teaching is his great love for the Irish language, and because he is so committed to it, a genuine sense of encouragement which makes the whole endeavor of learning this language most satisfying." Gerry

“There is an Irish proverb ‘A good start is half the job’. There is no better way to begin your Irish language journey, and it is a journey with many worthwhile side trips, than with a learned patient native speaker.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. He is always guiding you, not correcting or criticizing. He’s positive and encouraging.No need for grammar books or dictionaries - learn the way we learnt as children - start talking.” Bob

"My aim is to be able to speak Irish in a relaxed comfortable manner and with Paraic as my teacher I have already started on that journey. It is a challenge to learn the Irish language in Canada. There are, of course, many resources to assist the learner, but in my opinion the greatest resource -is an understanding teacher.Paraic inspires and challenges the willing learner to new heights. His greatest skill is giving confidence and at the same time he is very cognizant that all learners are different even myself as a seventy year old plus learner living in a remote part of Canada." Michael

"Paraic has dedicated his life to the Irish language. It is rare to find a teacher who is a native Irish speaker. His conversational approach will give you a realistic platform for learning the Irish language. Paraic does not like dry emotionless teaching so he also uses music, poetry and literature to teach!" Vanessa

"I got a recommendation of Paraic from someone online, and am very happy to have taken his classes. Living overseas it can be difficult to find a group of people for conversation and to push your ability, but that is exactly what Paraic provided. He has been friendly, supportive and interesting from the first email, but also will put that bit of pressure on you that you need to develop your skills. As a native speaker he has that 'blas na teanga' that makes Irish such a wonderful language. I'm very happy to have found him, and would highly recommend to anyone no matter what your level." Dermot  

"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.” Cyndy

“Patrick is not only a native speaker of Irish, but he is also a great teacher. One of the big advantages of one-on-one tutoring is that the lessons proceed at your pace. 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. Another time-related thing that I appreciate is Paraic's patience - he waits if you need a moment to think of the word or expression and doesn't immediately blurt out the word you had almost on the tip of your tongue.” Kathy

"I have been studying Irish off and on for about 10 years. After just 10 sessions with Paraic my comprehension of the language has improved dramatically. His classes are relaxed but consistent and he stresses a natural approach to learning that really sets me at ease and allows me to enjoy the process. His knowledge of the culture is vast and he offers it with a great sense of humor. Highly rcommended!" Ben

“I’ve been receiving lessons from Paraic for almost six months now and during this time I’ve seen a dramatic improvement in my grasp of the language. When I first started out I had barely a word of Irish. I couldn’t string a sentence together. I remember being quite nervous during that initial class, but Paraic put me at ease and it’s been smooth sailing ever since. Paraic has always been very friendly and patient as a teacher. Easy to talk to, kind, reassuring, and never one to criticize. 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

"To be honest, I started my lessons with Paraic with very low expectations and the belief, sadly too common among the Irish, that my native language was beyond my ability to learn. A few short months later and all of that has changed completely. I feel now that by sticking with Paraic's program and putting in the work necessary, 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. Mistakes are not only acceptable but encouraged. Using English when necessary is fine, and as the weeks have gone by, Paraic and I have worked to make it less and less necessary.

"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. He was extremely easy to work with and I was able to go far beyond the level of conversation in any of my previous classes." G. Walsh

“Learning from a native speaker is a great way to expand your language abilities!I have had the pleasure of working on the Irish language with Paraic for some time now. He is very patient and supportive, ensuring that the learning environment is very positive, comfortable and fun! He always does his best to accommodate unexpected changes in scheduling, which is most appreciated. I highly recommend Paraic!" Maureen

“Páraic is a great teacher! He lets you learn the language naturally and at your own pace. It is invaluable to find a native speaker willing to teach Irish in this setting. His love for Irish and his insight into the culture and nuances of the language will help you tremendously towards your goal of becoming a better speaker. I know the classes have done a great deal for me. The classes are also extremely affordable and convenient (via Skype). I cannot recommend classes with Páraic enough." Seamus

"Learning Irish has always seemed a bit daunting but Paraic's lessons have made it accessible and fun. 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. I can't recommend him highly enough." Peadar

"When I started taking classes with Paraic, I didn't have a word of Irish. "Paraic's friendly, relaxed and organic approach to learning the language made it easy for me to jump right in and start speaking cúpla focal (a few words) in Irish. His guidance on pronunciation and insights into how the language is spoken in Connemara have served as a great introduction to the language." Pat

”I happily found out about Paraic completely by accident searching the web for Irish resources. 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. Already in 10 short weeks, I feel like I have truly connected to the language and culture through Paraic. His attentive ear is matched only by his enthusiasm. Funnily enough, now my dad is also taking lessons with Paraic too, making him an indispensable and highly valued member of our extended family. My lessons are the highlight of my week. If you want to actually learn how to speak this language, look no further than Paraic” Patrick

“Everyone's reasons for learning Irish differs. I myself had a reasonable foundation in Irish but I never had an authentic conversation in it. I never spoke Irish outside of the education system and I was about five years out of practice. Then I stumbled across Paraic. I was a bag of nerves at the start of our lessons but Paraic is so personable that you're quickly put at ease. We touched on countless topics during our conversations and I was casually learning all this new vocab pertaining to things that interested me. I remember when our first Skype call ended and I saw a list of vocab he had been writing out for me during our lesson. Now because I'm a learner, I often struggle to formulate my thoughts. Sometimes I can only get a word or sentence out, sometimes I'm just saying a lot of eh's. Paraic never judges, he gives you the time and space to come up with an answer, and if you can't, well then he leads the way. I'm not claiming to be an exceptional speaker now, I personally have to put the work in but Paraic has facilitated my growth. He's given me plenty of food for thought and he's made me feel a part of a community that I had long since convinced myself I didn't belong to: Is Gaeilgeoir mé, after all.“ Ciara

"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. His focus is on getting you comfortable with having conversations in Irish. Paraic’s lessons are low pressure, yet challenging and rewarding at the same time. If you are serious about speaking and understanding natural Conamara Irish, Paraic is the best teacher out there (particularly for those of us who live outside Ireland). You simply must give him a try." Frank

“I had a lot of fun learning with Paraic. His teaching style is freeform and easygoing, and he is supportive and positive. Irish is in his very blood, and he is passionate about his language and culture. And the classes being on Skype is ideal for ease of communication and scheduling.” Fiona

"Irish lessons with Paraic fill that highly important slot of practicing your spoken language. 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. My language skills have improved greatly. I always look forward to my next class with Paraic.” Max

"I am an American with fairly good Irish and I was looking for a way to improve my conversation skills. Working with Paraic was awesome. His teaching style, which concentrated on authentic conversation and friendly debates, was perfect for me. Sometimes I get stuck in a rut just using the vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure that are easy for me. But with Paraic, I felt encouraged to try speaking more naturally and with more nuance, which means I was always working at the cutting edge of my abilities. This has helped me immensely at home, where I speak Irish with my young daughter in everyday life. 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. The time flew!" Seán

Paraic is endlessly patient and encouraging, and cares deeply about his students. He works with you to create a curriculum tailored to your skills rather than imposing a generic one. Being disabled, I also really appreciate Paraic's flexibility and understanding. He provides a wonderfully low-stress yet highly effective environment in which to learn from a native speaker." Joey

I am very interested in the Irish language and Irish culture and have been trying to improve my Irish over the last few years. Although I live in Ireland, I find I rarely have a chance to have a proper in-depth conversation with a native speaker of Irish. Paraic's knowledge and love of the Irish language, as well as his interest in a wide range of topics, allowed me to develop my conversational skills. I was able to have a casual conversation both on some standard easier topics like work, and some more complex topics like political correctness and life in the 19th century. I also 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

"I have had the pleasure of having Paraic O Donoghue as my coach in the Irish language this last year. I came to him as an Irishman who had taken Irish at school. So I had an intermediate reading knowledge of the language but not much in the way of speaking. I always felt ashamed at not speaking our national language well. In my search for a teacher, my first preference was for a native speaker ...and when I googled my search , up came Paraic’s name. I find Paraic to be easy to talk to...patient and encouraging. 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 . My class with him takes the form of a conversation where he throws in new words. Compared to a year ago when I started, I am actually speaking Irish although I still have a ways to go with vocabulary.If you are looking for a native Irish speaker who is patient and encouraging then Paraic is your man! Peadar

"I am a 50 year old Irish person , father to 3 children going to the local Gaelscoils. I have always wanted to learn how to speak Irish but until recently , never did anything about it. Last year I decided that I had to stop talking about it and start doing something about it. I found Paraic's details on the internet and signed up for a series of classes. For the last 6 months I have been getting lessons and there has been an amazing improvement in my ability to Converse in irish. Paraic has given me the confidence to do just use what I have and slowly add to my vocab and comprehension. I have started using more and more Irish in my house and in my everyday life. He has shown me that learning does not need to be a chore and I look forward to my weekly class with enthusiasm. This is the only way to learn to speak Irish." John

“Because it is rare to find a native Irish speaker who also offers online language lessons, I was pleased to discover Paraic’s website. After finally finding the teacher I was looking for, I started lessons with him in March of 2018. 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. I learned this firsthand while I was in Ireland. Not only was I able to converse a little in Irish with a few local tour guides, but knowing the language made the country seem less foreign. Details such as the ability to read signs, storefronts, etc. in Irish gave me a richer experience of the Irish culture. One of the best ways to prepare oneself for visiting a country is to spend some time with the language spoken there. Paraic helped me to do just that! I can’t recommend him enough to future potential students! Thank you!” Kevin