Born in the UK, raised in the US and living in Ireland since he was 14, Des Bishop decides to go in search of a true rite of passage into Ireland by learning Irish in Connemara's Gaeltacht. He gives himself a year to learn enough Irish to do a gig "as Gaeilge". Des moves in with a family in Tir an Fhia, Leitir Móir and begins to immerse himself in Gaeltacht society. He joins the Junior C GAA team, works odd jobs with locals and does a gig in a nearby pub to explain in his own words what he is actually doing. In an effort to motivate his learning, Des goes back to school and signs up for the school leaving certificate and after two months attempts the oral Irish exam. How will he manage?

• Des Bishop

• Des Bishop