TWENTY US citizens have been awarded grants to study Irish this summer in the Gaeltacht areas of Galway, Donegal and Kerry.
The awards, organised by the Ireland-United States Fulbright Commission for Educational Exchange, enable American students studying Irish in America to take part in Irish-language courses enjoyed by thousands of Irish teenagers.
The successful candidates come from different backgrounds and various universities such as Boston College, Harvard, Yale and City University of New York.
Colleen Dube, executive director of the Fulbright Commission, said: “We were delighted, although not surprised, by the response to this new programme which confirms the diversity of reasons and places that Americans are learning Irish.
“Recent research that we have conducted has identified just over 80 third-level and community-based institutions across the US that are teaching Irish.”
Applicants said they were not just interested in reconnecting with their Irish roots but were also hoping the Irish language would assist with PhD research in areas such as anthropology and history.
Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs Dinny McGinley, who is responsible for the Irish language, said: “I am pleased that an increasing number of students who study Irish in the US and in many other parts of the world continue their studies here in Ireland.
“This results in bonds of friendship and a lifelong interest and understanding of the rich language and culture of this country.”
The monetary award, supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, as well as the National Lottery, covers their travel to and from Ireland, as well as the tuition fee for the course of their choice.