The Southern Ireland Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs estimated in 2007 that 17,000 people lived in areas where Irish was the community language, and a further 10,000 in areas where it is partly the community language (source: reported by Ocean FM, Sligo).

Of course I exaggerated for effect, but I doubt many more than those 27,000 in the country understand the language well enough to enjoy radio programming in it.

PS my sincere apologies to the honorable member for Ynys Mon...

PPS I've mentioned before sitting with a group of young, Welsh-speaking Liverpool fans on the train from Chester to Llandudno. Their entire conversation was monolingual until one burst out "Ryan Giggs? He's a fucking knobhead" before returning seamlessly to Gymraeg.

PPPS I'll give ye a shout next time passing through (as I do regularly on the scenic route to Iwerddon).

Bring me Edelweiss wrote:

QUOTE:
PPS I've mentioned before sitting with a group of young, Welsh-speaking Liverpool fans on the train from Chester to Llandudno. Their entire conversation was monolingual until one burst out "Ryan Giggs? He's a fucking knobhead" before returning seamlessly to Gymraeg.

Ah, but "fucking nob'ed" is Welsh!

Bring me Edelweiss wrote:

QUOTE:
PPPS I'll give ye a shout next time passing through (as I do regularly on the scenic route to Iwerddon).

Aye, PM me when you're passing through