Language
Irish / Gaeilge
Short description of organisation represented in project
Foras na Gaeilge, the body responsible for the promotion of the Irish language throughout the whole island of Ireland, was founded on the second day of December 1999. In the Good Friday Agreement, it was stated that a North/South Implementation body be set up to promote both the Irish language and the Ulster Scots language. Under the auspices of this body, Foras na Gaeilge will carry out all the designated responsibilities regarding the Irish language. This entails facilitating and encouraging the speaking and writing of Irish in the public and private arena in the Republic of Ireland, and in North of Ireland where there is appropriate demand, in the context of part three of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages. The staff of Bord na Gaeilge, An Gúm (Publishers), and An Coiste Téarmaíochta (Terminology Committee) and their activities have all been transferred to the new body. Foras na Gaeilge has a role in advising administrations, both in the Republic and North of Ireland, as well as public bodies and other groups in the private and voluntary sectors in all matters relating to the Irish language. They will also be undertaking supportive projects and grant-aiding bodies and groups throughout the island of Ireland.
Foras na Gaeilge's main activities:
- Funding Irish language organizations and activities
- Promotion of the Irish language (incl. advertising, competitions, events and sponsorships)
- Publication of guides and resource material
- Sponsorship of bilingual events
- Workshops and training seminars
- Launches and exhibitions
- Production distribution and promotion of Irish language and Irish-interest books.
- Formulation of new terminology for the Irish language and the compilation and publication of new Irish language dictionaries.
- Supporting Irish language education
Territory where language is spoken
The island of Ireland. There are also Irish language groups in many other countries throughout the world – USA, England, Scotland, Canada, Australia etc.
Sociolinguistic data available for language
Republic of Ireland– Central Statistics Office Ireland
North of Ireland – Census Results for Northern Ireland
CLAR - A series of attitudional surveys conducted by ITÉ from 1975 onwards and the analysis carried out on them.
Partial results from a survey conducted on behalf of Foras na Gaeilge in 2001 are available.
In the North of Ireland the Household survey and Social Omnibus Survey provide some information on attitudes to the language.
Gallagher, Anthony M., and Eamon Hanna (2002). Outcomes for Pupils who Received an Irish Medium Education. Research Report Series No. 26. [Research Briefing RB 4/2002.] Belfast: Department of Education.
Legal status of language
In the Republic of Ireland the Irish language is, under the constitution, the first official language. The Official Languages Act (2003) provides a statutory framework for the delivery of services through the Irish Language.
In the North of Ireland the Irish Language is given certain rights and protection under a number of articles of Part 3 of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages. Certain rights are also enshrined in the Good Friday / Belfast Agreement.
Common challenges facing the language
- The fall off in use post 18 years.
- The status of the language.
- Adequate provision of public services through the Irish language.
- Language shift in Gaeltacht (Irish speaking heartland) areas.
- The dearth of youth services through the medium of Irish.
- Funding for pre-school education.
- Attitudes toward the language.
- The fall in inter-generational transmission.
- The growth of English international television.