The Early Work of the League and Progress

Amidst such apparently hopeless conditions, the small band of enthusiasts steadfastly carried on their work. Weekly meetings were held in a single room in Dublin, a few branches were started throughout the country, and a vigorous propaganda was carried on in the Irish-speaking districts. Soon it was recognised that there was a new and forceful spirit displayed in advocating the claims of the language. Political and educational bodies supported a vigorous agitation for an improvement in the position of Irish in the ” national “‘ and intermediate schools : the Press supported the League, and began to print articles in Irish. In 1897 an annual literary festival was established in the ” Oireachtas,” and next year a bilingual weekly news¬paper was founded. But, on the whole, the result of the strenuous early work was not satisfactory : the public mind was not yet aroused to the importance of the issue ; the Irish speaker was still apathetic ; the position of the language in education had not been improved. ” The progress made during the three or four years that followed the establishment of the Gaelic League was, all things considered, profoundly-disappointing.”
At length, however, the national conscience began to realise that the extinction of the ancient language of the country was a matter of more than academical interest. The definite and insistent teaching of the League that the salvation of the language was a vital necessity to Irish nationality caught the public imagination. New branches sprang up everywhere in town and country. Whereas in 1898 there were only fifty-eight branches, there were 120 in 1900. and 412 in 1902. In 1899 the organisation was placed under an Executive Committee, or ” Coiste Gnotha,” elected by an annual congress of delegates at the ” Ard Fheis.” Funds, which had been scanty, began to flow in, aided by contributions from the United States and Argentina, and stimulated by an annual ” rally ” in ” Irish Language Week.”

Books and pamphlets were published with feverish energy, and in 1901 there were sold 200,000 copies of the League’s publications. The honorary officers were replaced by permanent officials, and a number of organisers were sent into the Irish-speaking districts. The League became one of the most powerful organisations in the country, and its influence penetrated into every circle.