Even during the years when Ireland was
still experiencing a wave of emigration, German native speakers constituted a
significant number of immigrants to the country. This largely 'elite' group
were people who sought an alternative lifestyle on the 'Emerald Isle'. In this
chapter, the results of a survey of 46 German speakers living in mid-west
Ireland are presented, revealing a scattered ageing community. Language contact
is explored using data drawn from personal statements by participants, language
practices in the home, in social networks and community activities. An analysis
of the data on cross-generational language maintenance and participants'
personal evaluation of the language profile of their children raises questions
of continuity.