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The beauty of Irish script

Many younger people unaware of Cló Gaelach

Letters to the Editor. Illustration: Paul Scott — The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.

Wed Apr 29 2026 - 06:00 • 1 MIN READ

A chara, – I was glad to see a reference to the two scripts of Irish (Letters, April 28th), the Cló Romhánach and the Cló Gaelach.

Many younger people are unaware that Irish had this elegant, simpler script that was much easier to read, where its frequent aspirations were conveyed by a simple dot – the buailte – rather than the ubiquitous H of the Roman script.

Irish has indeed come through difficult times, but to restore its authentic look, to dress it in its own distinctive clothes (easily available at Lexilogos website) would give it back the beauty and charm it once had on the written page. – Yours, etc,

HILDA GERAGHTY,