Trying to get Kneecap to stop and chat is like herding cats.
The trio are the hottest property on the market at the minute, from selling out the SSE Arena in Belfast in December, to selling out two shows in the 3Arena this summer and their debut film has received critical acclaim across the globe.
In fact, it’s been reported that they have inspired more young people to go back and learn Irish. And as we all know, is fearr Gaeilge bhriste, ná Béarla cliste!
VIP Magazine caught up with Kneecap on the IFTA red carpet, where they joked about their nerves and only receiving 17 nominations.
But we had to ask about making Irish “cool” again.
“It’s good that you can do other stuff with the Irish language other than teaching. I tried it and it didn’t work!” DJ Provaí AKA JJ Ó Dochartaigh, who in a previous life worked as a teacher.
Speaking about the importance of using your cúpla focal and the resurgence of the Irish language, he tells us: “We’re standing on the shoulders of giants, of the people who came before us, who gave us the opportunities to learn Irish. Now I’m able to pass it on to my wee daughter. And it’s brilliant that other people get to do it as well.”
We’re getting misty-eyed.
In the latest Irish census, of 2022, 1,873,997 people or 39.8 per cent of the population of the Republic of Ireland said they had some ability to speak Irish, which was an increase of 6 per cent compared to the 2016 census. And we’re sure that it will increase more in the next census.
Of course, we had to ask if they would be continuing their acting after the success of their debut film, they are quick to say: “We don’t have enough time! We’re very busy with the music.”
