PRESIDENTIAL candidate Heather Humphreys has recommitted to learning Irish, more than a decade after first making the same pledge as Minister for the Gaeltacht.

The Fine Gael candidate said that if elected to the Áras, she would return to the Donegal Gaeltacht. She made the commitment during a debate with independent candidate Catherine Connolly on RTÉ Drivetime.

However, many in the Donegal Gaeltacht remain skeptical.

“I just don’t believe her,” said Cllr Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council’s Irish Language Committee.

He said he has heard the same promise from Ms Humphreys before and doubted she would follow through if elected.

Heather Humphreys and Joe Hugh on Arranmore when they were both sitting TDs. Photo Clive Wasson.

“Here we have someone who left politics but was drawn back in as the second choice, and is now trying to hoodwink the Gaeltacht community by saying she’ll learn Gaeilge the second time around – but only if she’s elected,” said Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig.

He described it as another example of politicians using the Irish language community for their own self-interests.

“I found it quite patronising back then that she didn’t have Gaeilge, even though she was appointed to that position. It shows the government’s level of commitment to a language that’s on its knees – appointing someone who had no interest or care of learning our very beautiful native tongue.

“For me, it is absolutely central and critical that whoever is elected is fluent, passionate and genuinely committed to the language and the Gaeltacht community,” concluded Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig.

Meanwhile, Ms Humphrey’s former party colleague Joe McHugh, who also made a commitment to learn Irish during his stint as Gaeltacht minister, took his play ‘Joe’s Call’ to the stage at Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair on Thursday night.

The one-man show explored Mr McHugh’s earnest journey to becoming fluent in the language while balancing the demands of a national role.