The Irish language is experiencing a cultural revival both at home and abroad.
In 2022, the Irish language gained official working status within the European Union, putting it on equal footing as the EU’s 23 other official languages. Census figures in 2022 also showed that 40.4 per cent of people in Ireland indicated that they have an ability to speak Irish – which is an increase from 39.8 per cent of the population who indicated the same in 2016. That is over 1.8 million people in Ireland who feel they are comfortable enough to speak an cúpla focal in Ireland.
Elsewhere, films like An Cailín Ciúin and Kneecap have brought the language to a whole new audience, having been critically acclaimed at the Oscars and the Sundance Film Festival respectively. Attitudes towards the language are changing, as is our willingness to learn more of it. In fact, many Irish people of any and all ages are now using their staycations as the perfect opportunity to brush up on their Irish language skills — and with the European Day of Languages just around the corner on September 26th, this autumn is the perfect time to jump on the bandwagon yourself.
There is a wide range of Gaeltacht courses for adults across the island of Ireland. Dubbed as ‘learning holidays’, these courses cater to both advanced Irish speakers and beginners. Located in the Dingle Peninsula in Ballyferriter, Co Kerry, Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne runs week-long Irish language and heritage courses throughout July and August. According to their website, they help maintain the “rich linguistic, archaeological and cultural heritage of Corca Dhuibhne” through their various publications and projects in the area.
Attendees can undertake courses at beginner, intermediate or higher levels that focus on specialist topics like grammar and writing skills, conversation and singing in the Irish tradition, or the Irish language literature of Corca Dhuibhne. The courses cost €320 for one week, and while they are finished for 2024, it would be worth marking them in your calendar for next year if you wanted to improve your cúpla focal.
Similarly, Oideas Gael runs weekend and week-long Irish language courses for adults in Gleann Cholmchille in Donegal. The courses are graded and recognised by the Department of Education and Skills, with directors of the courses seeing a marked improvement in fluency after a person undergoes a two-week long course. The courses have set class times throughout the week, and participants are invited to join recreational activities such as Irish dancing, poetry classes through Irish, or guest lectures each evening.
“We’re interested in teaching people to speak the language and to communicate in the language, to be able to use it practically. The courses that we have here are focused on conversation and on people enjoying the learning process,” explains course manager Rónán Ó Dochairtaigh.
“The Irish language is still something that’s very important to Irish people, and all indicators would say that it is because of people’s attitudes and the new media, in Irish cinema, the music, all of that. It’s important that people can see and use the language, and that’s what we try and help them do.”
“Attendees are contributing to the life of Gaeltacht communities. Our main aim is to have sustainable Irish language communities in the areas in which we operate. There’s an economic benefit because when they’re here, the restaurants, the accommodation, and the pubs are all busy. But I think more important than the economic aspect, are the social benefits. You have this vibrant community of people that are interested in learning. It’s very multicultural and it creates a real sort of personal incentive for the local people living in the area to want to use the language.”
If ‘learning holidays’ are not to your taste, you could embark on a glamping trip on Inishmore, the biggest of the Aran Islands. The island is a short ferry ride from either Galway city or Rossaveel in Connemara and the glamping pods and other camping facilities are in Kilronan, the main town on the island next to the harbour. This would be perfect for people who love the outdoors, as you can rent bikes to explore the magnificent cliffs and breathtaking views on offer. Whether it is Dún Aonghasa, the largest of the prehistoric stone forts of the Aran Islands, that catches your fancy, or Poll na bPéist (The Wormhole) where Red Bull has famously hosted its Cliff Diving World Series, or the various bars or restaurants on the island, there is something for everyone.
An Rinn in Gaeltacht na nDéise, Co Waterford offers equally fabulous sights and activities for visitors. An Cuinigear is a beautiful sand and shingle coastal walk, which is complete with a wonderful peninsula that stretches into Dungarvan Bay. Home to a variety of seabirds which is perfect for bird watching, the peninsula itself is nestled against the backdrop of the Comeragh Mountains. In the town of An Rinn, many pubs such as Tigh an Cheoil, Cór Fear na nDéise, An Seanachaí and the Dungarvan Singers Club offer both planned and spontaneous traditional Irish music nights. It is here that visitors can experience the deeply rooted heritage of Gaeltacht na nDéise.
Advocacy manager for Conradh na Gaeilge, Róisín Ní Chinnéide advises that while Gaeltacht areas need tourism to survive, people should be conscious of local issues when staying there. “One caveat is that there’s a huge housing crisis in the Gaeltachts in the last number of years. There is a huge amount of holiday houses and Airbnbs in Gaeltacht areas while local people, particularly young people, find they are either unable to get planning permission to build a house in their own area, or else there is no long-term rentals available.”
“There’s a fine balance to be found between the fact that Gaeltacht areas need tourism to survive and the fact that there is a conscious way of going about having a staycation, in that you can try to stay with someone or rent from someone local while staying in the area.
“Using your Irish whilst in the Gaeltacht areas and giving your business to the local businesses is another way of doing that. I suppose just trying to be aware [of these issues] when you’re there and wanting to contribute to the community and having respect for the specific way of life that locals have there.”
Outside of the Gaeltacht areas, there are many festivals and events across Ireland that offer Irish language enthusiasts the opportunity to immerse themselves in the language. Taking place in Killarney from October 30th to November 3rd, Oireachtas na Samhna is an annual flagship event for Irish speakers who gather to celebrate Irish traditional music, singing, poetry, literature, storytelling and dancing. Oireachtas na Samhna is a family friendly weekend and visitors can attend the various events for all ages as well as getting involved in the various céilís and traditional music sessions.
Another festival which attracts hundreds of Irish speakers every year is Féile Na Gealaí, which was established in 2018 and takes place in June in Rath Cairn, Co. Meath. Since its inception, it has hosted many Irish language bands and traditional music groups for punters to enjoy. Perfect for people who love music, camping and would like to use their Irish.