Want to learn more about the ancestraltongue of 46 million Americans?

Register for noncredit “Introduction toIrish Gaelic” classes at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC).The eight-week Wednesday evening series, which begins January 23 and ends March13, will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in CC Room 170. The cost
is $60, which includes class materials.

Irish Gaelic is the official language ofthe Republic of Ireland. Participants in these classes will achieve anunderstanding of Ireland’s rich heritage while developing conversation skillsand learning Gaelic vocabulary. They will also learn about opportunities tointeract with an increasing number of Gaeilgeori(Irish speakers) in the U.S.

According to Kevin McCracken, director ofthe university’s Center for Business & Economic Development, several localresidents approached him with interest. “When I did some investigation and metwith Devin Blankenship, the instructor, I learned these types of workshops havebeen successful in other communities. Since Columbus will host its 22^ndScottish Festival this year, it seemed like a good fit,” he explained.

While Irish and Scottish Gaelic differ insome ways, there is substantial overlap between the two. McCracken said thereis reason to believe the strong Scottish base that already exists in Columbuswill also have interest in Irish Gaelic classes.

Blankenship, who is an English as a secondlanguage instructor, often spends his free time teaching Irish Gaelic duringthe evenings and weekends. Active in several Irish language groups across themidwest, he recently studied at the National University of Ireland in Galway.He completed a year-long training program through the Association ofInternational Educators academy in 2011.

To register, go to www.iupuc.edu/cbed, e-mail cbed@iupuc.edu,or call 812.348.7201.