Gaeltacht

Gaeltacht refers to regions where Irish (Gaeilge) is the predominant language used in daily life and community affairs. In the Republic of Ireland, Gaeltacht areas are officially designated to support Irish-language use, education, and cultural activities, and to promote social and economic development through language planning. There are also Irish-speaking communities in Northern Ireland, though they do not all share the same official designation.

In the Republic, the largest Gaeltacht regions lie along the western seaboard. Notable areas include parts of Counties Galway (notably Conamara), Mayo (Iorras and surrounding districts), Donegal (Gweedore and neighboring parishes), as well as parts of Kerry (the Dingle Peninsula and surrounding belt), Cork, and Waterford (including the Ring Gaeltacht). The Aran Islands off Galway are traditionally cited Gaeltacht communities, along with several smaller pockets and island settlements.

The designation is administered under Irish law, with the development authority Údarás na Gaeltachta responsible for economic and social development, language planning, and the allocation of resources within Gaeltacht zones. Public policies support Irish-language education through gaelscoileanna (Irish-language primary schools) and gaelcholáistí (Irish-language secondary schools), as well as media, cultural programs, and workforce initiatives designed to strengthen intergenerational use of the language.

Language status in Gaeltacht areas varies: many residents are bilingual, with Irish used in schools, local administration, and some workplaces, while others increasingly use English in daily life. Ongoing language revival and support programs aim to sustain Irish as a community language and preserve the cultural heritage of these regions.