Say It In Broken Gaelic

In the Middle Ages Gaelic was spoken over a wider area, and by more people than any other European language.

Here's what it sounds like today on RTÉ RAIDIÓ NA GAELTACHTA:

Although recognized as an official language within the Republic of Ireland, estimates put the total number of fluent or native speakers at under 350,000 and the inhabitants of the officially designated Gaeltacht regions of Ireland at 91,862, as of the 2006 census. Great Britain controlled the entire island between 1801 & 1922 and strictly enforced English only laws.

RAIDIÓ NA GAELTACHTA is the Gaelic language service of RTÉ, Ireland's national radio system. For other streams visit RTÉ's site.

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There's a live performance venue at The Fremont Street Experience. It's located at 3rd Street by the northwest entrance of Fitzgerald's casino... given the date and location an appropriate venue for Irish music on St. Patty's Eve.

The headliners were Wiskey Galore from Bakersfield, CA... An unusual place to be from if you're playing "updated Irish" music (as a band member's wife described their sound). The band's card explains they're "American Bred, Celtic Fed." Acoustic Guitars, bass, bagpipes, whistle and authentic Irish percussion. The four man line-up has no official drummer. They take turns depending on the tune.

The band loves Las Vegas and has come back 7 consecutive years for St. Patrick's Day. And everyone seemed to have a good time, except for the one Celtic fashionista I heard complaining: "The kilts are all wrong."

The unofficial opening act was an unamplified duo of buskers playing in a more traditional style. Be sure you stand directly in front of them because John's guitar doesn't carry as well as his whistle or accordion. You'll want to hear them clearly, and bask in fiddle player Jocelyn's radiant smile. It's there all the time she's playing, not just when you drop some money into her open case, but her bright blue eyes and the way she thanks you may motivate a return trip with a larger denomination in hand.

Both acts appear again tonight as the sun goes down and the lights go up in Vegas.