Recently released drama series House of Guinness has become the first show in Netflix’s own lineup to offer Irish-language subtitles, a move hailed by speakers of the endangered language.
Inclusion of the language
Linda Ervine, who leads Turas, a Belfast-based project to promote the Irish language, called the move “symbolic of the growth and demand for the language.”
In addition to Irish subtitles, the show’s soundtrack also features bilingual songs from controversial trio Kneecap, as well as some lines of dialogue in Irish.
‘Deeply rooted in Irish history’
The drama series, which was released on Thursday, revolves around the trials and tribulations of the famous beer-producing Guinness family in 1860s Dublin.
In a statement, Netflix said they made the move to include the subtitles given the story is “deeply rooted in Irish history.”
Creator Steven Knight, who also wrote hit crime drama Peaky Blinders, told BBC NI that “the Irish language is such a vital part of the country’s culture and identity, and making the series accessible in this way allows us to celebrate that heritage and reach those viewers who prefer to watch As Gaelige.”
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An Irish drama
Irish stars also feature in the main cast, with Belfast actor Anthony Boyle in the lead role as Arthur Guinness, alongside English actor Louis Partridge playing his brother Edward.
On being a part of House of Guinness, Boyle said he is “really, really proud Irish culture is having such an amazing moment right now on the global stage.”
The show has been criticised, however, for using non-Irish actors to imitate the Dublin accent.
Co-star James Norton, an English actor, told PA news agency he “worked hard” to try to get the accent right.
Netflix called the series part of its “ongoing commitment to Irish members and the country’s creative sector” – what this means for the Irish language’s inclusion in future shows and movies is yet to be seen.
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