Gaeilge

Gaeilge, or Irish, is the native Goidelic Celtic language of Ireland. It belongs to the Indo-European family, within Insular Celtic, Goidelic, and is closely related to Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) and Manx (Gaelg/Manx).

Historically, Irish evolved from Old Irish (6th–8th centuries) and developed through Middle Irish into Early Modern Irish. It was the language of literature, law, and administration across much of Ireland in the medieval and early modern periods. The Gaelic revival of the 19th and early 20th centuries, led by the Gaelic League (Conradh na Gaeilge), sought to revive Irish as a living community language through education, media, and culture.

In the Republic of Ireland, Irish is the national language; English dominates daily life. Irish is compulsory in primary and secondary education and is used in designated public services and signage. The Gaeltacht areas in the west and southwest preserve daily use. Foras na Gaeilge promotes the language, and the Official Languages Act 2003 requires public bodies to provide Irish-language services where appropriate.

Dialects: Irish has three main dialect groups—Ulster, Connacht, and Munster—though a standardized written form is used. An Caighdeán Oifigiúil, the official orthography established in 1958 and revised later, provides a common spelling framework.

Contemporary status: There are tens of thousands of fluent speakers, with many more who have some knowledge of Irish. The language is maintained through Gaelscoileanna (Irish-medium schools), media such as TG4 and Raidió na Gaeltachta, and a growing body of literature and online content.