In a similar way to the GAA, the Gaelic League was very successful and by 1905 it had 550 branches throughout Ireland. Both the GAA and the Gaelic League were infiltrated (to join an organisation in order to secretly gain influence over its members) by members of the IRB who hoped to use these two organisations to promote independence for Ireland. Many of the leaders and members of the GAA and the Gaelic League would later participate in the 1916 Rising.
Fig 15.11 Eoin MacNeill was also a respected historian and linguist (person skilled in foreign languages).
Source B Looking at the evidence
The image shows a handbill from circa 1900 outlining the aims and objectives of the Gaelic League in promoting and preserving Irish as the national language of Ireland.
Examine this handbill and answer the following questions.
1. What are the three objectives of the Gaelic League?
2. According to the handbill, what is the most distinctive mark of the Irish nation?
3. Why does the Gaelic League believe that the Irish language will help with industry?
4. What does the Gaelic League believe that its organisation will ensure?
5. What does ‘Temperance’ mean and why would people want to promote it?
6. How does the Gaelic League hope to reduce emigration?
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Fig 15.12 Douglas Hyde helped to found the Gaelic League.