Although all of the Gaeltacht population can speak English, these are the only parts of Ireland where Irish is still spoken as the community language.

The preservation of the Gaeltacht as an Irish-speaking community has been regarded, by successive Governments since the foundation of the State, as of the utmost importance. Not only does the Gaeltacht present on opportunity to naturally maintain the continuity of the Irish tradition, but also provides the ideal environment for people who wish to become proficient in Irish.

The existence of areas where Irish lives as a community language is an important cornerstone in the building of a bilingual society in Ireland, and it provides an environment where the language can evolve naturally in a modern setting.

For information on the Gaeltacht locations click here.