A summer Irish language course in the Corca Dhuibhne region of Ireland is experiencing difficulty attracting domestic help, despite a five-fold increase in government grants intended to support student accommodation and staffing. The funding boost was designed to encourage more people to work in the sector during the summer months. However, the course continues to struggle with a shortage of “mna tí” – domestic staff responsible for accommodation and related duties. This staffing issue threatens the smooth operation of the language program. The situation highlights potential challenges in relying solely on financial incentives to address labor shortages in specific regions and sectors. Further investigation may be needed to understand the underlying reasons for the difficulty in attracting staff. The course organizers are actively seeking solutions to ensure adequate support for students.