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New England Irish Language Instructors

Bob Merrigan
(Roibeard Ó Muireagáin)

Bob Merrigan has been studying Irish since 2007.

He first started taking lessons at Conradh na Gaeilge Shasana Nua with Domi O'Brien in 2008
(and then with Peter Vatne in 2009). Additionally, since 2011 he has been taking lessons from
Peigí Ní Chlochartaigh at Ár dTeanga Dhúchais i mBoston.

Along with another student he started the Learning Irish study group in Manchester, NH in 2013 which became the Ciorcal Comhrá (Conversation Circle) in 2015.

Bob is also currently a board member of Ár dTeanga Dhúchais i mBoston.

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Domi O'Brien


For Domi O'Brien, Celtic culture has always been a part of life, and Ireland's native language is an important component of that culture. Domi began learning Irish in 1968.

Having grown up around the country and around the world (in a military family), Domi was raised on Irish myth and legend and daily offerings to the nature-spirits, and during her early years learned a few words of Irish (mostly blessings and curses). She began formal study of her Celtic heritage in 1964, as a college freshman.

Domi studied Celtic spirituality with Ciarriadhe Harvey, Celtic literature with Dr. Cornelius Lyle, and the Irish language in 1968 with UCC graduate Nollaig Kilgallen.

After a hiatus in her studies -- during which she homeschooled her children -- in 1987 Domi met Deirdre McFarland in Philadelphia, and studied Irish language with her for the next three years.

In 1990 Domi moved to Seattle and began teaching an Irish course for beginners while serving as Preceptor on the national board of Ár nDraoicht Féin. In Seattle she also studied Early Irish with Dr. Paul Remley at University of Washington, and Celtic harp with harper- fiddler-composer- storyteller- Scots Gaelic teacher Seumas Gagne.

Domi returned to the East coast in 1990. While teaching Psychology and Sociology at NHCTC/Manchester, she was asked to teach a non-credit course in Conversational Irish Gaelic there. Throughout the 1990s she taught several beginner and intermediate Irish courses, has recently hosted Irish conversation groups in Manchester, and in 2005 begins teaching formal classes in Manchester once more.
 
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Kenneth Peterson
(Cionaodh Mac Pheadair)



Kenneth Peterson (a.k.a. "Cionaodh") began studying Irish in 1982, first on his own and later with various teachers in classroom settings and in private study groups.

Cionaodh began teaching others in 1989, first as a substitute teacher, then in 1992 taking on his own classes. He has held courses in 7 locations in three states since then, most recently teaching Irish in central Massachusetts again after 11+ years having taught in New Hampshire. He has guest lectured on the Irish language at Clark University in Worcester, and was a language software consultant for two successful Irish language programs. He has also tutored numerous students in the Irish language via the internet.

Cionaodh has spent a quarter century getting successful New England Irish classes up & running, and through trial-and-error has crafted an organizational strategy for Irish language courses that has been unmatched in its success throughout New England. His Fall, 2003 class location in Manchester, New Hampshire attracted over 70 students with course offerings that included advanced-level Irish!

When he is not teaching Irish, Cionaodh is a freelance graphic designer and
amateur arborist.

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Peter Vatne
(Peadar Vatne)

Peter Vatne has been studying Irish since his first class with
Kenneth Peterson in January, 1994. He has gone through the entire
Progress in Irish book more times than he can count! Peter is currently reading and
translating Harry Potter agus An Órchloch with fellow students from Manchester, NH.

Peter is partly Irish from his grandmother, and can trace his
family's roots to Moycullen, County Galway.
He has visited Ireland five times, most recently in 2015.

In addition to Irish, Peter is also currently studying Norwegian and Italian.
He claims these languages are all different enough that he doesn't
get them confused!

Peter lives in Nashua, and is a retired Software Engineer
from Digital/Compaq/HP.