When I started learning Irish in 2011, it was during what was quite a stressful period of my life. I was working as an English teacher and my husband Brian was the leader of the PUP (Progressive Unionist Party). Attending an Irish class once a week with my friend was a lovely escape from the real world. I found great enjoyment learning a few words and phrases which I would carefully copy into my notebook and then spend time going over throughout the week. It certainly wasn’t anything strange to me or to Brian, that I was attending an Irish class in south Belfast, but it turned out to be of interest to the media and the story ended up in a couple of newspapers.
I had never given an interview to a newspaper before, so for me this was a very strange and exciting occurrence. However, shortly after this I was shown a comment written in reaction to the article. I didn’t use or even have any knowledge of social media or how it worked, at that time, so when I was shown a post which attacked me, my husband Brian and Brian’s late brother David, I was shocked. The writer of the post claimed that all three of us were ‘leading the Protestant people down the green brick road into the Irish bog.’ I felt that it was a bit over the top, I mean I was only attending a total beginners Irish class, not calling for Irish unity. But of course, much worse was to come.
When my interest in the language became more serious and I took up the post of Irish Language Development Officer with East Belfast Mission, we attracted a lot of media attention. I suppose I was naive and had little realisation that when you come under the spotlight that it attracts the attention and criticism of people that you don’t know. I began to use social media as part of my work. It has proved to be a useful tool which enables me to reach hundreds of people and to promote our classes and events. Many of our learners have enrolled because of a message they saw on Twitter or Facebook. I think it’s good that ideas and information can be exchanged and that debates can take place with no geographical barriers, however I have also witnessed how social media can be used in negative ways as a means of spreading misinformation and lies. Worse still, it gives certain people the freedom to openly abuse others while hiding behind the safety of anonymity.
I no longer need anyone to show me the nasty comments and false information that is posted by a small number of faceless, nameless individuals who target me. At the beginning I used to complain to my husband about the injustice of it but his reaction was, ‘Linda, toughen up, it’s not personal.’ and I remember thinking, but it is personal, it’s about me! However, Brian was right, I did have to toughen up and thankfully I seldom feel hurt any more by the things I read about myself, and in fact, at times I’m almost amused at some of the wild accusations that are made against me.
Some of the abuse Linda has received over the course of her vocation and outreach work.
I do however, frequently feel aggrieved at the lack of accountability which exists on social media when I read comments not only directed at myself but at others such as Ann Travers, Naomi Long and Máiría Cahill, all women who I respect and value but who face horrible abuse online from cowardly trolls. I could name many others, both male and female who also receive online harassment, but the list would be too long.
Two months ago, while we were all still in lockdown, I saw a message on Twitter reaching out to anyone in east Belfast who would be interested in playing Gaelic games. It gave me a feeling of hope, that Northern Ireland was beginning to move beyond the division which has impacted so much of our everyday lives. I was pleased to see that the post was getting a positive response and sent a private message wishing them well. After a few messages back forth, I was very surprised when they asked me if I would consider being the president of the new cross-community club which was starting in east Belfast. I didn’t have to think too long before agreeing to be part of what I regarded as a positive new initiative. My only concern was the amount of work involved as my present role is an extremely busy one and I am also studying at university. When I asked about this, I was reassured that the role of president is one of a figurehead and requires very little hands on work.
Although I had accepted the position of president a few moments of doubt were to follow as I was immediately attacked online for my decision and every ‘sin’ committed by the GAA was thrown at me. This was not like my role within the Irish language, I was in unfamiliar territory, how was I meant to respond to these accusations? I was still dealing with the effects of Covid and felt neither physically or mentally able to cope with the negativity that suddenly surrounded me. I have to admit that part of me considered walking away but I knew that would reflect badly on the club.
Instead I had to work out how I felt, I had to challenge my own prejudices and fears. I recognised that there are things about the GAA that I’m not comfortable with. I don’t agree with the mixing of politics with sport and It certainly isn’t my place to defend the GAA, especially for the things that I believe it isn’t getting right. However, I’m also not interested in vilifying an organisation which is the centre of many communities and provides fantastic opportunities for young people to get involved in sport. I acknowledge that the GAA have been making great strides to reach out and that they have been on their own journey of change over the last number of years, although in my opinion they still have a bit to travel. I hope that East Belfast GAA can be part of the positive changes that are taking place as they move towards a more inclusive future.
Over the past few months, our club has grown from two friends chatting about the possibility of a small junior Gaelic football team to now being the organisers of a club which has over 1,000 members and 400 players. I’ve been both amazed and humbled at their energy, integrity and sheer hard work as well as their determination to be cross-community and welcoming to all. This message is represented in the club’s crest which has the motto together, written in English, Irish and Ulster Scots and the symbols of a shamrock, thistle and red hand. I have been filled with pride seeing the men’s football team kitted out in the club’s colours of black and yellow with the words, East Belfast GAA emblazoned across the front of their shirts and watching the young people of the hurling and camogie teams practise at a local pitch. This is a new, vibrant and inclusive east Belfast!
East Belfast GAA logo
Why did I let the naysayers get to me? I’m ashamed now to admit that I allowed the hatred and bitterness of those who have nothing positive to offer Northern Ireland to make me doubt, even for a moment my involvement with this wonderful initiative. I of all people should know that change doesn’t come if we turn away from the challenge. Change happens when we take risks. We can’t spend our lives waiting for someone else to come along and do the heavy lifting for us. What I have witnessed over the last few months is hundreds of young people from all backgrounds coming together to create something positive in east Belfast. I’m proud to be part of it! East Belfast GAA abú!
Linda is a friend of Shared Ireland and has done a podcast with us previously back in Episode 8 which you can listen to here.
She also participated in our Live Event at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown and was featured on the BBC spotlight coverage.
Linda Ervine is a language rights activist from East Belfast. She is the director of Turas, an Irish language project which “aims to connect people from Protestant communities to their own history with the Irish language”. She is also the President of East Belfast GAA club. You can stay up to date with her Twitter here and her Facebook here
Hi Linda,
How brilliant, I am a Protestant from Northern Ireland but left as a student 38 years ago and have lived in London ever since.Although I love it there cannot cope with the sectarianism and the troubles are a big reason why I never came home.
I wish you so much luck with this , this is a fantastic thing and well done you for putting your head above the parapet , not an easy thing to do in Northern Ireland , good luck ❤️❤️❤️
Hi Linda,
How brilliant, I am a Protestant from Northern Ireland but left as a student 38 years ago and have lived in London ever since.Although I love it there cannot cope with the sectarianism and the troubles are a big reason why I never came home.
I wish you so much luck with this , this is a fantastic thing and well done you for putting your head above the parapet , not an easy thing to do in Northern Ireland , good luck ❤️❤️❤️