Who couldn't learn Irish this way?

I noted in a presentation to our gathering in An Chutlúrlann — and isn't the 'hoarding' outside as marvellous an exposition of the history of the Irish language as you're ever likely to see — that Sabhal Mor Ostaig has 160 distance learners.

I'm sure we could emulate that from the Gaeltacht Quarter. But in the meantime, I have discovered in the pages of the Irish Echo what is surely the optimal way to learn Irish: on a cruise.

Irishtours are offering Irish Festival Cruises from Florida to Mexico with a stop at Grand Cayman with entertainment provided by some of our best musicians including Mary Black and Girsa. In the Irish Echo report, Tour operator Mary Rowley adds: "The January cruise would also be offering a variety of workshops on all things Irish, from learning to dance a jig to speak the Irish language, to instructions on the tin whistle and bodhrán."

What I want to know is who is the rascal who snared that teaching gig?

Enjoy the wonderful paintings by Danny Devenney, Marty Lyons et al. Note the Easter lilies growing amidst the poppies! And Gearóid Ó Cairealláin raising a glass to Béal Feirste.

(Mary Rowley of Irish Festival Cruises writes: "Hello Máirtín, Many thanks.  You probably know the rascal in question, John Gleeson.  This will be his 17th annual cruise with us.  Folks adore him both onstage and off stage. All the best, Mary."