Sa chlár seo de Gaeilge Thar Lear, labhraímid le John, Corcaíoch bródúil a raibh caidreamh casta aige leis an nGaeilge ar scoil — agus, le fírinne, níor thaitin sí leis ar chor ar bith ar feadh na mblianta.

Ach tháinig athrú intinne air. Thuig sé, in ainneoin na drochthaithí sin, go raibh sé ag iarraidh an Ghaeilge ina shaol. Ní raibh ranganna eagraithe dó — ní hé sin a stíl ar chor ar bith. Bhí sé ag iarraidh caint, bualadh le daoine, agus an Ghaeilge a úsáid go sóisialta.

As sin a rugadh Sos Lóin — Gaeltacht bheag idir ceapairí agus cupáin chaife i lár Chathair Chorcaí. Ó shin i leith, tá pobal bríomhar fásta timpeall air, agus tá John anois mar admin ar an ngrúpa WhatsApp Cathair Chorcaí, a roinneann imeachtaí Gaeilge ar fud na cathrach agus níos faide i gcéin.

Níl a chuid Gaeilge foirfe — ach cad faoi sin? “Lofa Líofa” atá ann, mar a deir sé féin, agus sin maith go leor. Sea, tá an ghramadach tábhachtach uaireanta — ach go minic, is í an chumarsáid an rud is tábhachtaí. Agus is cumarsáidí den scoth é John — fear sóisialta, oscailte, agus eagraí den chéad scoth a thugann daoine le chéile trí mheán na Gaeilge.

Comhrá iontach le haoi geal, cairdiúil, lán fuinnimh — scéalta, gáire, agus b’fhéidir beagán inspioráide dóibh siúd atá beagáinín neamhchinnte faoina gcuid Gaeilge féin.

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In this episode of Gaeilge Thar Lear, we chat with John, a proud Corkonian who had a complicated relationship with Irish at school — in fact, he hated it for years.

But something shifted. Despite those early experiences, he realised he wanted Irish back in his life. Formal classes weren’t for him — he needed conversation, connection, and community.

Out of that grew Sos Lóin — a lunchtime pop-up Gaeltacht in the heart of Cork City. What started as a way for him to practise during his lunch break has grown into a vibrant weekly gathering. John is also now the admin of the WhatsApp group Cathair Chorcaí, which shares Irish language events happening in and around Cork City.

His Irish isn’t perfect — but who cares? As he says himself, he’s “Lofa Líofa”… and that’s more than good enough. Yes, grammar has its place — but more often than not, communication is what truly matters. And John is a natural communicator — a sociable, open, and energetic organiser who brings people together through Irish.

A great chat with a bright and bubbly guest — full of stories, warmth, and perhaps a little inspiration for anyone feeling unsure about their own Irish.

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