Irishlanguage

Irish language, known in Irish as Gaeilge, is a Goidelic language of the Celtic branch of the Indo-European family. It is one of the official languages of the Republic of Ireland and, in Northern Ireland, recognised as a minority language with support under regional and UK policies.

Irish descended from Old Irish and has a continuous literary tradition dating from medieval times. The modern revival in the 19th and early 20th centuries led to renewed education and institutions; today three main dialect groups are recognised: Munster, Connacht, and Ulster, each with regional varieties in phonology and vocabulary. The language is written in the Latin alphabet with diacritics; the official orthography, Caighdeán Oifigiúil, was established in the mid-20th century and revised in 2017 to simplify spelling and unify forms.

Current status and use: Irish is taught in state schools across the Republic, with expanding Irish-medium education (Gaelscoileanna) and university programs. In the Republic, it is used in government communications and signage in designated areas; in the Gaeltacht, it remains a daily language for many residents.

Media and culture: Irish-language broadcasting is provided by TG4 and Raidió na Gaeltachta, and the language features in literature, theatre, and online content supported by cultural and educational bodies.

Status and demographics: Irish is considered endangered as a community language outside the Gaeltacht, with tens of thousands of fluent or proficient speakers and many more with some knowledge. Policies aim to expand daily use and intergenerational transmission.