The GAA Beo presenter grew up in An Rinn in County Waterford and never spoke English until he began school.Read more: Ireland AM's Síomha Ní Ruairc is 'so grateful' she grew up speaking Irish even if it was 'unusual'
Speaking to RSVP Magazine, Micheál said: "I grew up in An Rinn, in county Waterford, where people typically bring up their children through Irish, go to Irish schools, do their business in Irish and all the rest of it. I was in an Irish household from the very beginning and I didn’t speak a word of English until I went to school at the age of four. I consider myself very fortunate.
"I understand for people who learn it when they go to school that it can be a very different relationship with the language. But it’s part of our very long and rich heritage and it’s so worthwhile keeping it. It’s very easy to lose a language, as we all know, and there’s a responsibility on everybody to put a value on our culture.""In my view, all of the school system, in particular primary school, should be changed into Irish language schools," said Micheál.
"Parents can be worried that if they have little Irish, how can they help their children with their homework - that’s not an issue. I know lots of parents who have very little Irish and they are so happy they sent their kids to a Gaelscoil because they grew up loving Irish and have a very healthy relationship with it. If I were the Minister of Education tomorrow, the first thing I’d be aiming for is to get the entire primary school system taught through the medium of Irish.
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