{"id":458,"date":"2025-06-05T15:42:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T14:42:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/cdrgmodlangsqub\/?p=458"},"modified":"2025-06-10T15:01:13","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T14:01:13","slug":"agallaimh-le-mic-leinn-iarcheime-katie-mcnamee-gaeilge-postgraduate-student-interviews-katie-mcnamee-irish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/cdrgmodlangsqub\/2025\/06\/05\/agallaimh-le-mic-leinn-iarcheime-katie-mcnamee-gaeilge-postgraduate-student-interviews-katie-mcnamee-irish\/","title":{"rendered":"Agallaimh le mic l\u00e9inn iarch\u00e9ime: Katie McNamee (PhD, Gaeilge) \/ Postgraduate student interviews: Katie McNamee (PhD, Irish)\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

T\u00e1 an phost\u00e1il seo mar chuid d\u00e1r <\/strong>Sc\u00e9im Tionscnaimh Taighde<\/strong><\/a> do 2024-2025.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post is part of our <\/strong>Research Initiation Scheme<\/strong><\/a> for 2024-2025.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[ENGLISH TEXT ALTERNATES WITH IRISH TEXT BELOW]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inis dom faoi d\u2019aistear leis an Ghaeilge go dt\u00ed seo, conas a d\u2019fhoghlaim t\u00fa \u00ed den ch\u00e9ad uair agus c\u00e9n f\u00e1th gur phioc t\u00fa an Ghaeilge mar \u00e1bhar ollscoile?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n

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Katie McNamee, personal archive<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

D\u2019fhreastail m\u00e9 ar mo bhunscoil \u00e1iti\u00fail, mar sin thosaigh m\u00e9 ag foghlaim na Gaeilge nuair a bh\u00ed m\u00e9 ceithre bliana d\u2019aois. Is d\u00f3cha go bhfuil s\u00e9 n\u00edos fusa teanga a fhoghlaim ar an bhealach sin, nuair a bh\u00edonn t\u00fa \u00f3g b\u00edonn t\u00fa in ann teanga a phiocadh suas go gasta agus n\u00ed bh\u00edonn ort dua a chaitheamh lena foghlaim. D\u2019fhreastail m\u00e9 ar shruth na Gaeilge i gCol\u00e1iste Chaitr\u00edona, Ard Mhacha ina dhiaidh sin, bh\u00ed m\u00e9 in ann staid\u00e9ar a dh\u00e9anamh ar \u00e1bhair tr\u00ed mhe\u00e1n na Gaeilge agus chuidigh sin go m\u00f3r liom mo chuid scileanna scr\u00edbhneoireachta a fhorbairt. Bh\u00ed m\u00e9 iontach paiseanta faoin teanga agus d\u2019\u00e9irigh go maith liom sa Ghaeilge ar scoil ach nuair a chr\u00edochnaigh m\u00e9 ar an scoil n\u00ed raibh m\u00e9 cinnte c\u00e9n s\u00f3rt post a ba mhaith liom.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell me about your journey with the Irish language so far. How you first learned the language and why you chose Irish as a university subject?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I attended my local Irish-medium primary school, which meant that I started learning Irish when I was four years old. I was the first in my family to learn Irish and it was seen as a bit of a risk sending me there as the school had just been established a year earlier, in 2003. But my mother is a teacher and she was very aware of the benefits of bilingualism and the effectiveness of immersive education. I think it was a lot easier for us to learn Irish as children as we were able to pick it up very quickly simply by interacting with our teachers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I then attended an Irish-medium stream in my secondary school and I was able to do most of my subjects in Irish. I think that writing essays in subjects like history in Irish really helped develop my writing skills. I have always loved the Irish language and it was definitely my favourite subject in school, especially when we started to study poetry. When I finished secondary school, I didn\u2019t know what sort of job I wanted but I knew I wanted to do something with Irish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

C\u00e9n t-\u00e1bhar docht\u00faireachta at\u00e1 idir l\u00e1mha agat agus c\u00e9n f\u00e1th ar roghnaigh t\u00fa an t-\u00e1bhar sin?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

T\u00e1 m\u00e9 ag caitheamh s\u00fail ar an d\u00f3igh a dt\u00e9ann scr\u00edbhneoir\u00ed na Gaeilge i ngleic le ceisteanna a bhfuil stiogma agus n\u00e1ire ag baint leo. B\u00edm ag pl\u00e9 leis na teicn\u00edc\u00ed \u00e9ags\u00fala a bh\u00edonn in \u00fas\u00e1id ag scr\u00edbhneoir\u00ed chun dul i ngleic le ceisteanna cigilteacha ar n\u00f3s na gn\u00e9asachta agus an mheabhairghalar, mar shampla. D\u00edr\u00edonn mo chuid taighde ar na strait\u00e9is\u00ed cosanta \u00e9ags\u00fala a mbaintear \u00fas\u00e1id astu chun dul i ngleic le h\u00e1bhair a bheadh r\u00f3chigilteach aghaidh a thabhairt go d\u00edreach orthu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bh\u00ed suim agam i gc\u00f3na\u00ed san fhil\u00edocht agus scr\u00edobh m\u00e9 mo thr\u00e1chtas bunch\u00e9ime ar fhil\u00edocht Greag\u00f3ir U\u00ed Dh\u00faill agus thaitin an taighde go m\u00f3r liom. Nuair a scr\u00edobh m\u00e9 mo thr\u00e1chtas m\u00e1istreachta ar shaothar Dhairena N\u00ed Chinn\u00e9ide, d\u2019\u00e9irigh m\u00e9 n\u00edos muin\u00edn\u00ed mar thaighdeoir agus bh\u00ed a fhios agam go raibh m\u00e9 ag iarraidh docht\u00faireacht a dh\u00e9anamh. Le linn na m\u00e1istreachta, chuir m\u00e9 suim sa smaoineamh go mb\u00edonn feidhm theiripeach i gceist leis an fhil\u00edocht in amanna, agus bh\u00ed m\u00e9 ag iarraidh an cheist sin a ch\u00edoradh.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What PhD topic are you working on and why did you choose this topic?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My research looks at how Irish-language writers approach sensitive issues in their work that involve stigma and shame. I focus on the various strategies these writers employ in their work to deal with issues such as mental illness or sexuality, for example. This involves analysing works that use distancing strategies to tackle issues that would be too sensitive to discuss head on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was always interested in poetry and I decided to write my undergraduate dissertation on the poetry of Gr\u00e9ag\u00f3ir \u00d3 D\u00faill. I really enjoyed the research and when I wrote my Masters dissertation on the poetry of Dairena N\u00ed Chinn\u00e9ide, I gained a lot of confidence as a researcher and I knew that I wanted to do a PhD. During that masters, I became interested in the therapeutic aspect of poetry and I wanted to do further research on that topic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Cad iad na t\u00e9ama\u00ed is suimi\u00fala faoi?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

S\u00edlim gurb \u00e9 an rud is suimi\u00fala faoi n\u00e1 an g\u00e1 a bh\u00edonn ann scaoileadh le ruda\u00ed a bhfuil n\u00e1ire agus stiogma ag baint leo. Is ioma\u00ed file a luann feidhm theiripeach na fil\u00edochta agus cuirim an-suim sna teicn\u00edc\u00ed a mbaintear \u00fas\u00e1id astu, ar n\u00f3s meafair agus dramatis personae<\/em> \u00f3n traidisi\u00fan, chun dul i ngleic leis na ceisteanna sin ar bhealach a chrutha\u00edonn rud beag sp\u00e1s idir an file f\u00e9in agus reacaire an d\u00e1in agus ar bhealach a bhfuil uil\u00edochas ag baint leis.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the most interesting aspects of your research?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think the most interesting thing about my research is that although the themes that I am looking at may have a certain amount of stigma or shame attached that aims to silence people, this can make it all the more necessary for individuals to voice their experiences. Many Irish-language poets have said that poetry is a way to deal with intense emotions and sensitive issues. My research looks at how these poets distance themselves from the material of the poems using strategies such as metaphor, dramatis personae<\/em> from the Irish tradition and pen names. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cad iad na codanna is deacra faoi d\u2019obair dhocht\u00faireachta?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

B\u00edonn ort a bheith ag obair as do stuaim f\u00e9in. \u00c9ir\u00edonn s\u00e9 uaigneach in amanna ach t\u00e1 an t-\u00e1dh orainn in Ollscoil na Banr\u00edona go bhfuil oifig\u00ed againn agus gur f\u00e9idir linn dul isteach agus a bheith ag obair san oifig le mic l\u00e9inn docht\u00faireachta eile. Mar sin, s\u00edlim go bhfuil s\u00e9 t\u00e1bhachtach iarracht a dh\u00e9anamh bualadh le daoine eile at\u00e1 i mbun docht\u00faireachta. Tuigeann muid uilig na d\u00fashl\u00e1in a bhaineann le PhD agus cuid\u00edonn muid le ch\u00e9ile.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the biggest challenges associated with doctoral research?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have to be able to work under your own steam to a certain extent, and it can be lonely at times. We are lucky in QUB in that we have offices and we can go in and be around other PhD students while we work. Therefore, I think that it is important to make an effort to meet other PhD students as we understand each others\u2019 struggles and we can help each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cad \u00e9 do phlean agus an ch\u00e9im docht\u00faireachta bainte amach agat?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

N\u00edl m\u00e9 cinnte go f\u00f3ill. Bainim sult as a bheith ag teagasc agus ba bhre\u00e1 liom n\u00edos m\u00f3 teagaisc a dh\u00e9anamh amach anseo. Is cinnte gur mhaith liom a bheith ag obair tr\u00ed mhe\u00e1n na Gaeilge. N\u00edl m\u00f3r\u00e1n taistil d\u00e9anta agam, chuaigh m\u00e9 d\u00edreach \u00f3n scoil chun na hollscoile agus t\u00e1 m\u00e9 go f\u00f3ill anseo, ba bhre\u00e1 liom blaiseadh den saol a fh\u00e1il \u00e1it \u00e9igin eile.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is your plan for after you complete your doctorate?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m not sure yet. I enjoy teaching and I would love to teach more when I finish my PhD. I definitely want to work through the medium of Irish as well. I haven\u2019t travelled much, as I came straight from school to Queen\u2019s and I\u2019m still here, I think I would like to experience living somewhere different for a little while.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

C\u00e9n moladh a bheadh agat do scol\u00e1ire Ghaeilge ar mhaith leis\/l\u00e9i docht\u00faireacht a dh\u00e9anamh sa Ghaeilge?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mholfainn \u00e1bhar a roghn\u00fa a bhfuil an-suim agat ann. T\u00e1 obair mh\u00f3r i gceist le tr\u00e1chtas docht\u00faireachta agus \u00e9ir\u00edonn s\u00e9 deacair in amanna. Mar sin, s\u00edlim gur g\u00e1 duit a bheith paiseanta faoin \u00e1bhar. Bh\u00ed suim agam san fhil\u00edocht \u00f3 bh\u00ed m\u00e9 ar scoil agus s\u00edlim go bhfuil t\u00e1bhacht agus cumhacht ar leith leis. B\u00edonn fil\u00ed in ann ceisteanna casta agus moth\u00fach\u00e1in dhoimhne a ch\u00edoradh taobh istigh d\u2019fh\u00edorbheag\u00e1n focal, agus t\u00e9ann an fhil\u00edocht i bhfeidhm orm ar bhealach nach dt\u00e9ann an pr\u00f3s n\u00e1 me\u00e1n ar bith eile. Mar sin, n\u00ed bh\u00edm in amhras faoin fhi\u00fantas a bhaineann le taighde a dh\u00e9anamh ar an fhil\u00edocht.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is your advice to Irish-language scholars who might be interested in pursuing doctoral research?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would definitely advise choosing a topic that you are very interested in. There is a lot of work involved in writing a PhD thesis and it is difficult at times. Therefore, I think that you need to be very passionate about your subject. It is also vital to recognise the importance of your research. Poetry is very important to me, Irish-language poetry in particular has a profound impact on me, it enriches my life and, thankfully, I have never doubted the importance of researching it.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agallamh le Josh Mac Coitir, mac l\u00e9inn i mbliain na c\u00e9ime at\u00e1 ag d\u00e9anamh staid\u00e9ir ar an Ghaeilge agus ar an Chaidreamh Idirn\u00e1isi\u00fanta.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview by Josh Cotter, final-year undergraduate in Irish and International Relations<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor\u2019s note: <\/strong>Katie McNamee is a third-year PhD student working under the supervision of Dr S\u00edobhra Aiken and Professor M\u00edche\u00e1l \u00d3 Mainn\u00edn. Her thesis is provisionally entitled \u2018Stigma, Alienation and Distancing Strategies in Irish-Language Literature’. Her doctoral studies have been funded through a Northern Bridge studentship. Katie previously undertook a BA in Irish in 2021 at QUB, followed by an MRes in Arts and Humanities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

N\u00f3ta \u00f3n eagarth\u00f3ir<\/strong>:<\/strong> T\u00e1 Katie Nic Con Midhe sa tr\u00ed\u00fa bliain d\u00e1 taighde docht\u00faireachta faoi sti\u00fair an Docht\u00fara S\u00edobhra Aiken agus an Ollaimh M\u00edche\u00e1l \u00d3 Mainn\u00edn. Is \u00e9 teideal a tr\u00e1chtais n\u00e1 \u2018Stiogma, Coimhth\u00edos agus Tinneas: Strait\u00e9is\u00ed Cosanta i Litr\u00edocht na Gaeilge\u2019. T\u00e1 an taighde docht\u00faireachta seo maoinithe ag Cuibhreannas Dhroichead an Tuaiscirt. Bhain Katie BA amach sa Ghaeilge in Ollscoil na Banr\u00edona sa bhliain 2021 agus thug faoi mh\u00e1istreacht sa taighde ina dhiaidh sin.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

T\u00e1 an phost\u00e1il seo mar chuid d\u00e1r Sc\u00e9im Tionscnaimh Taighde do 2024-2025.  This post is part of our Research Initiation Scheme for 2024-2025.  [ENGLISH TEXT ALTERNATES WITH IRISH TEXT BELOW] Inis dom faoi d\u2019aistear leis an Ghaeilge go dt\u00ed seo, conas a d\u2019fhoghlaim t\u00fa \u00ed den ch\u00e9ad uair agus c\u00e9n f\u00e1th gur phioc t\u00fa an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,186],"tags":[88,18,87,32,195,194],"class_list":["post-458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-postgraduate-student-interviews","category-research-initiation-2024-2025","tag-irish","tag-literature","tag-phd-students","tag-poetry","tag-shame","tag-stigma"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/cdrgmodlangsqub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/cdrgmodlangsqub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/cdrgmodlangsqub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/cdrgmodlangsqub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/76"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/cdrgmodlangsqub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=458"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/cdrgmodlangsqub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":490,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/cdrgmodlangsqub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458\/revisions\/490"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/cdrgmodlangsqub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/cdrgmodlangsqub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=458"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/cdrgmodlangsqub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}