Intermediate Irish: A Grammar and Workbook

Nancy Stenson's grammar workbooks ("Beginning Irish" and "Intermediate Irish") provide the clearest explanations of the structure of the language that I have seen anywhere, in print or online. I first read both volumes like novels and am now working my way through them more carefully, doing the exercises as I go. On the initial read through there were so many "ahah" moments that I almost quit being surprised. This is coming from someone who has worked painstakingly through "Learning Irish" -- twice! -- and who has combed through several other Irish grammars and general courses.The exercises are proving to be well thought out and quite useful for fixing the concepts in my mind. Overall a very smartly put together set. I wish she would come back and write a general course for beginners. I would love to have it for the classes I am teaching.As mentioned by another reviewer, this series does not include audio recordings. There is a very good "Spelling and Pronunciation" chapter in the first volume, but to hear the language you need to include other resources. As explained in the introduction of each volume: "This is not meant to be a self-contained course or reference grammar, both of which are readily available elsewhere. Rather, it is intended to accompany and supplement whatever course materials an individual or class is using."In my opinion, this two-volume set has met and exceeded these intentions.

Had to buy this book and the Basic Irish version of it as well for a course at University. It is ok as far as grammar books go. It includes lots of exercises which are a must. However it is not the usual method I find useful for learning Grammar and I personally have found other grammar books more engaging and accessible. It is a bit pricey as well. Despite this the exercises came in very useful for exam preparations.

Intermediate Irish continues the top quality precedent set by Basic Irish. The book tackles more difficult grammatical and syntactical topics (relative clauses, "focus structures," conditionals) but follows the same pattern of clear explanatory text paired with exercises that help teach the concepts in the lessons. This book is a real boon for learners of Irish and can be returned to frequently as a reference when you need to review the more difficult concepts. It ends with a few chapters on dialect variations, which can be a bit daunting and confusing, to me anyway. It would also, I think, benefit by a topical index. But all in all this is a really helpful book, excellent in arrangement and execution.

A pretty good grammar primer! The only missing link is a 'pronunciation' CD. In my opinion, all foreign language books need to provide 'pronunciation' assistance. In this case, an Irish grammar book -- where Irish does NOT pronounce as it is spelled -- and is subject to at least three different dialects -- sorely needs to provide all the assistance it can. Absent that, this volume does provide helpful information to fill in the gaps that other books -- such as the Christian Brothers Grammar book does not! I would, however, recommend the purchase of this book!

Nancy Stenson's Intermediate Irish is a well written book, especially for those of us not born and raised in Irland. It explains some of the problems that foreigners have with the grammar, especially when confronted with three different dialects. I highly recommend this book as a follow-on to her Basic Irish.