GAELIC LEAGUE

an organization formed in 1893 in Dublin, Ireland. Its program as announced was: 1. The preservation of Irish as the national language of Ireland and the extension of its use as a spoken tongue. 2. The study and publication of existing Irish literature and the cultivation of a modern literature in Ireland. The movement had its genesis in the alarm felt at the rapid disappearance of Gaelic as the national tongue of Ireland. Under British domination, unceasing attempts had been made to repre its use in favor of English. These had been so succe ful that whereas at the beginning of the 19th century 4,000,000 out of a population of 7,000,000 spoke Irish as their native tongue, only about 640,000 spoke it in 1901. The Gaelic League began its work under great difficulties, chief of which was the apathy of the people. Gradually however its efforts began to tell, a national sentiment was created and some of the best minds in [reland gave in their adhesion to the movement. You sands of pamphlets and books, exclusively Gaelic, made their appearance, and by 1906 about 100,000 children were learning Irish in the national schools. Ancient Trish cla ics were rescued from oblivion and a body of new Irish literature began to be formed. Sermons were preached and public prayers recited in Gaelic. Profe orships of Gaelic and Celtic hilology were established in Irish niversities. The establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922 gave a marked impetus to the movement.