Is mise Jane
I am not just a content creator who teaches Irish on the side. Teaching is what I do, full time, every day.
Munster Irish speaker · Fulbright scholar · MA in Irish · 2,000+ classes taught
Who this is for
All of my students have different reasons for learning Irish
Some of my students grew up hearing Irish at school but never felt confident speaking it. Others have Irish heritage and want to connect with their ancestors. Others never learned a word and just knew that this language was theirs to find.
What they all have in common is this:
They want to belong to something and they have found it here.
My story
How Gaeilge le Jane began
None of it was planned. Maybe all of it was meant to happen.
I grew up in a bilingual house in Gaeltacht Mhúscraí, West Cork, speaking Gaelainn na Mumhan, Munster Irish. It's what you'll hear in every lesson I teach.
I started a TikTok page teaching Irish anonymously, promoting Irish online. Before long, my followers were asking, “Do you teach Irish online?” I said yes and set up a Zoom account. That first lesson was just me and one student.
The immersion courses happened the same way. Two students from Montana came to visit me in Ireland. I did some classes with them, showed them around and introduced them to a few local people. On their last day they said:
“You have to do this as a course.”
So I did and it has become one of my favourite things I've ever built.
Journey so far
Highlights and milestones
-
September2018
Primary school teacher in a Gaelscoil
My teaching career began in Irish-medium primary schools, where every subject is taught through Irish.
-
September2020
Fulbright Scholar in Montana
I was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to teach Irish at the University of Montana, one of the most inspirational experiences of my career.
-
September2022
My first class on Zoom
The very first class of what became Gaeilge le Jane.
-
March2023
MA graduation
I graduated with a Masters degree in Irish from UCC.
-
December2023
Gaeilge 13
I launched my podcast with my sister Ali on Spotify.
-
May2024
The first Gougane Barra immersion
My first in-person immersion course in West Cork.
-
November2024
Two gold medals at the Gradaim in Croke Park
Awarded by Glór na nGael for promoting the Irish language.
-
August2026
Our first group trip abroad
The first group trip on the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
... and there's plenty more to come!
How I teach
Some classes teach about Irish, but I teach you to speak it.
Speaking from session one
The Irish proverb “Beatha teanga í a labhairt” means the life of a language is to speak it. In my classes there's no passive listening. You start speaking from the very first class.
The real language
I teach through culture, music and stories. Exploring culture is a lovely way to learn a language and deepen your understanding of it.
Small groups
I know your name, I hear your voice and I see when something clicks. That's not possible in a room of fifty.
My favourite moment in teaching is the lightbulb moment: a piece of grammar making sense, two ideas connecting, or confidence clicking into place.
Which brings me to you
If you're here, something brought you.
Maybe it was a TikTok. Maybe it was a friend. Maybe it was something you can't quite explain, a pull towards a language you've always felt was yours.
Whatever brought you, you're welcome here.