Gaeltacht

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Official Gaeltacht regions in Ireland

Gaeltacht (Irish pronunciation: [ˈɡeːɫ̪t̪ˠəxt̪ˠ]; plural [Gaeltachtaí] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) is the Irish language word meaning an Irish-speaking region. In Ireland, the Gaeltacht, or an Ghaeltacht, refers individually to any, or collectively to all, of the districts where the government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant language, that is, the vernacular spoken at home.[1] These districts were first officially recognised during the early years of the Irish Free State, after the Gaelic Revival, as part of government policy to restore the Irish language.[2]

Boundaries

An Ghaeltacht 1926; areas of the island of Ireland which would have qualified for Gaeltacht status according to the recommendations of the first Coimisiún na Gaeltachta
An Ghaeltacht 1956

Although the Gaeltacht came into being in 1926 after the report of the first Coimisiún na Gaeltachta, the exact boundaries of that region were never accurately defined. The quota at the time was 25%+ Irish-speaking, though in many cases status was given to areas that were linguistically weaker than this. The Irish Free State recognised that there were Irish-speaking or semi-Irish-speaking districts in 15 of its 26 counties. Although there were areas of Northern Ireland that would have qualified as being Gaeltacht districts (in 4 out of its 6 counties) the Government of Northern Ireland did not pass any such legislation, and indeed behaved in a way that was very hostile towards the language. (The language was proscribed in state schools within a decade of partition, and public signs in Irish were effectively banned under laws by the Parliament of Northern Ireland, which stated that only English could be used. These were not formally lifted by the British government until the early 1990s.)[citation needed]

Another Coimisiún na Gaeltachta was established in the early 1950s, and it concluded that the Gaeltacht boundaries were ill-defined and recommended that the admittance of an area should be based solely on the strength of the language in the area. The Gaeltacht districts were initially defined precisely in the 1950s. Many areas which had witnessed a decline in the language ceased to be part of the Gaeltacht. This left Gaeltacht areas in 7 of the state's 26 counties (nominally Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Kerry, Cork, and Waterford). The Gaeltacht boundaries have not officially been altered since then, apart from minor changes:[citation needed]

  • The inclusion of Clochán-Bréanann in Co. Kerry in 1974;
  • The inclusion of a part of West Muskerry, in Co. Cork (although the Irish-speaking population had seriously decreased from what it had been before the 1950s); and
  • The inclusion of Baile Ghib and Rath Chairn in Meath in 1967.

It is widely believed that, both in 1926 and 1956, many areas were added to the official Gaeltacht on a political, not a linguistic, basis.[citation needed]

In 2002 the third Coimisiún na Gaeltachta published its report[3] in which it was recommended, among many other things, that the boundaries of the official Gaeltacht should be redrawn. The Coimisiún recommended a comprehensive linguistic study of the Gaeltacht be established to accurately assess the vitality of the Irish language in the remaining Gaeltacht districts.

The study was undertaken by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge (part of the National University of Ireland, Galway), and "Staidéar Cuimsitheach Teangeolaíoch ar Úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht" ("A Comprehensive Linguistic Study of the Usage of Irish in the Gaeltacht") was published on 1 November 2007.[4] Concerning Gaeltacht boundaries, it suggested creating three linguistic zones within the Gaeltacht region;

  • A - 67%/+ daily Irish speaking - Irish dominant as community language
  • B - 44%-66% daily Irish speaking - English dominant, with large Irish speaking minority
  • C - 43%/- daily Irish speaking - English dominant, but with Irish speaking minority much higher than the national average

The report continued, suggesting Category A districts should be the State's priority in relation to providing services through Irish and development schemes, and that those areas which fell into Category C which would witness a further decline in the usage of Irish should lose their Gaeltacht status. The entire idea was thwarted by the Ireland's Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív TD, saying that the Gaeltacht could not legally be split into zones.[citation needed] However the Minister failed to provide reasons why such legislation was out of the question.[citation needed]

Demographics

An Ghaeltacht 2007, zones within Category A

At the time of the 2006 census of the Republic of Ireland, the population of the Gaeltacht was 91,862,[5] approximately 2.1% of the state's 4,239,848 people, with major concentrations of Irish speakers located in the western counties of Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, and Cork.[6] There were smaller concentrations in the counties of Waterford in the south and Meath in the east. The Meath Gaeltacht, Ráth Cairn, came about when the government provided a house and 9 hectares (22 acres) for each of 41 families from Connemara and Mayo in the 1930s, in exchange for their original lands. It was not recognised as an official Gaeltacht area until 1967.[7]

The Gaeltacht districts have historically suffered from mass migration, be that to Dublin, Belfast, Cork, or further afield. Being at the edge of the island they always had fewer railways and roads, and poorer land to farm. This has changed somewhat in the past 20 years due to the change in the economic landscape of Ireland and the development of the Celtic tiger. The Gaeltacht population structure is not significantly different from other districts in Ireland in terms of age distribution. However, Gaeltacht areas are among the most remote in the state. They also tend to be areas of natural beauty, which precipitated the current period of immigration. This is having a negative impact on the vitality of Irish in the area, as many of the people moving into the Gaeltacht cannot or do not speak Irish.[citation needed]

This is particularly the case in the Gaeltacht districts of County Galway, no more so than in the immediate vicinity of Galway city itself where the English-speaking city has extended into the surrounding Gaeltacht area. Many outsiders also have bought holiday homes in the area, resulting in an increase in the cost of property, which has subsequently priced many young Irish-speaking locals out of the market, forcing many of them to settle away from home (almost always in an English-speaking area).[citation needed]

Donegal Gaeltacht

The Donegal (or Tyrconnell) Gaeltacht (Irish: Gaeltacht [Chontae] Dhún na nGall or Gaeltacht Thír Chonaill)[8][9] has a population of 22,877[10] (Census 2006) and represents 25% of the total Gaeltacht population. The Donegal Gaeltacht encompasses a geographical area of 1,502 km2 (580 sq mi). This represents 26% of total Gaeltacht land area. The three parishes of Na Rosa, Gaoth Dobhair and Cloch Cheannfhaola constitute the main centre of population of the Donegal Gaeltacht. There are over 16,000 Irish speakers, 14,500 in areas where it is spoken by 30-100% of the population and 1,500 in areas where it is spoken by less than 30%. It is considered to be the most rurally populated area in Europe. In 2006 there were 2 436 people employed in a full time capacity in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies in the Donegal Gaeltacht. This region is particularly popular with students of the Ulster dialect, each year thousands of students visit the area from Northern Ireland. Donegal is unique in the Gaeltacht regions, as its accent and dialect is unmistakably northern in character. The language has many similarities with Scottish Gaelic, not evident in other Irish dialects.

Signs in Irish in Dungloe, Co. Donegal.

Gaoth Dobhair in County Donegal is the largest Gaeltacht parish in Ireland, which is home to regional studios of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and world-class musicians, such as Proinsias Ó Maonaigh, Altan, Moya Brennan (Máire Ní Bhraonáin), Enya (Eithne), and Clannad, who were all raised with Irish as their first language.[11]

Meath Gaeltacht

The Meath Gaeltacht (Irish: Gaeltacht [Chontae] na Mí)[12] is the smallest Gaeltacht area and consists of two adjacent villages of Ráth Cairn and Baile Ghib. Navan, 8 km (5 mi) from Baile Ghib, is the main urban centre within the region, with a population of more than 20,000. The Meath Gaeltacht has a population of 1,603[10] and represents 2% of the total Gaeltacht population. The Meath Gaeltacht encompasses a geographical area of 44 km2 (17 sq mi). This represents 1% of the total Gaeltacht land area.

The traditional view of the Gaeltacht of "Royal Meath" is that it has a slightly different history than that of the country’s other Irish speaking regions. The two Gaeltachtaí of Baile Ghib and Ráth Cairn are resettled communities, where the Irish government of the 1930s redistributed the vast estates of absentee landlords[citation needed] as small farm holdings to poor farmers from the Gaeltacht areas of Connemara, Mayo and Kerry.

In fact, the first community comprised impoverished families from west Galway that first arrived in April 1935, who had no known ancestral links to County Meath, and were described as "colonists". Forty-nine families were moved to Ráth Cairn, and each was given 9 hectares (22 acres) to farm. In 1937, Baile Ghib (formerly Gibbstown) and Baile Ailin (formerly Allenstown) were established, but the latter settlement failed. In the early years, a large percentage of the population returned to Galway, or emigrated, but finally Ráth Cairn and Baile Ghib were awarded Gaeltacht status in 1967. The original aim of spreading the Irish language into the local community had little effect, and the colonists had had to learn English to farm effectively.[13]

Mayo Gaeltacht

The Mayo Gaeltacht (Irish: Gaeltacht [Chontae] Mhaigh Eo)[14] has a total population of 10,523[10] and represents 11.5% of the total Gaeltacht population. The Mayo Gaeltacht encompasses a geographical area of 905 km2 (349 sq mi). This represents 19% of the total Gaeltacht land area and comprises three distinct areas – Iorrais, Acaill and Tuar Mhic Éadaigh. Béal an Mhuirthead (Belmullet) is the main town in the Mayo Gaeltacht and is 72 km (45 mi) from Ballina, 80 km (50 mi) from Castlebar and 110 km (68 mi) from Ireland West Airport Knock.[citation needed] There are about 4,000 Irish speakers, with 2,151 living in areas where the language is spoken by 30-100% of the population and 1,625 living in areas where it is spoken by less than 30%.

Galway Gaeltacht

The Galway County (Irish: Gaeltacht Chontae na Gaillimhe) and Galway City (Irish: Gaeltacht Chathair na Gaillimhe) Gaeltachtaí[15] have a combined population of 43,184[10] and represent 47% of total Gaeltacht population. The Galway Gaeltacht encompasses a geographical area of 1,225 km2 (473 sq mi). This represents 26% of total Gaeltacht land area. The largest settlement areas are An Spidéal and An Cheathrú Rua. An Cheathrú Rua is 48 km (30 mi) west of Galway City, while An Spidéal is 19 km (12 mi) west of Galway City.[citation needed] There are 20,000 Irish speakers in the Gaeltacht, 11,000 Irish speakers in the Cois Fharraige/South Connemara area including the Aran Islands stretching from Na Forbacha to Carna and another 5,000-7,000 in North Connemara (including the border area with County Mayo) and approximately 4,000 Irish speakers living in areas where the language is spoken by less than 30% of the population. There is also a third-level constituent college of NUIG called Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in An Cheathrú Rua and Carna. The national Irish-language radio station Raidió na Gaeltachta is located in Casla and Foinse newspaper in An Cheathrú Rua and national TV station TG4 in Baile na hAbhann. Galway city is home to the Irish language theatre Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe.

Kerry Gaeltacht

The Kerry Gaeltacht (Irish: Gaeltacht [Chontae] Chiarraí)[16] consists of two areas – the western half of Corca Dhuibhne (Dingle Peninsula) and central and western parts of Uíbh Ráthach (Iveragh Peninsula). The largest settlement in Corca Dhuibhne is An Daingean and the largest in Uíbh Ráthach is Baile an Sceilg. The Kerry Gaeltacht has a population of 8,446[10] and represents 9% of total Gaeltacht population. The Kerry Gaeltacht encompasses a geographical area of 642 km2 (248 sq mi). This represents 9% of the total Gaeltacht area.[citation needed]

Cork Gaeltacht

The Cork Gaeltacht (Irish: Gaeltacht [Chontae] Chorcaí)[17] consists of two areas – Múscraí and Oileán Chléire. The Múscraí Gaeltacht has a population of 3,660 people[10] and represents 4% of the total Gaeltacht population. The Cork Gaeltacht encompasses a geographical area of 262 km2 (101 sq mi). This represents 6% of the total Gaeltacht area. The largest Múscraí settlements are the villages of Baile Mhic Íre (Ballymakeera), Baile Bhuirne (Ballyvourney) and Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh (Ballingeary).

Waterford Gaeltacht

The Waterford Gaeltacht (Irish: Gaeltacht [Chontae] Phort Láirge, Gaeltacht na nDéise or Gaeltacht na Rinne)[18][19][20] is ten kilometres (six miles) west of Dungarvan. In embraces the Parish of Rinn Ua gCuanach (Ring) and An Sean Phobal (Old Parish). The Waterford Gaeltacht has a population of 1,569 people[10] and represents 2% of total Gaeltacht population. The Waterford Gaeltacht encompasses a geographical area of 62 km2 (24 sq mi). This represents 1% of total Gaeltacht area.[citation needed]

Neo-Gaeltachtaí

Clare Island

Clare Island (Irish: Oileán Chliara) in County Mayo has been earmarked as a testing ground for the reintroduction of the Irish language. With a small population that reaches 160 in the summer, already has an Irish speaking school principal, and intend to turn the local school into a Gaelscoil. The local residents are all for the experiment, and believe it is an achievable goal. The island is ideally situated near the present Mayo Gaeltacht.[21]

Dublin

In a special report on Nuacht TG4 news on 13 January 2009, it was confirmed that a group in Ballymun, in conjunction with the local branch of Glór na Gael have received planning permission to build 38 homes for people who want to live in an Irish-speaking community in the heart of the city. There are 4 Gaelscoileanna and Naíonraí creches in the area, as well as a shop where Irish is spoken. Deposits have been paid by those who want to live in such a community. Irish language classes will be organised for those who want to improve their Irish. Completion of the project was initially estimated to happen by the end of 2009. The project is now set to begin by the end of 2011 with completion coming in 2012.

North America

The Permanent North American Gaeltacht is an area near Erinsville, Ontario in Canada which has been designated a permanent Gaeltacht area.

Gaeltachtaí in Northern Ireland

Belfast

There is an area in Belfast, known as the Gaeltacht Quarter (An Cheathrú Ghaeltachta), where the Irish language is actively promoted. This is mainly situated along the Falls Road (Bothair na bhFal) It has Gaelscoileanna (primary schools), Gaelcholáistí (secondary schools), Naíonraí (crèches), an Irish language restaurant and agencies as well as the Cultúrlann, a cultural centre which also houses Raidió Fáilte (Northern Ireland's only full-time Irish-language radio station). This has grown from the Shaw's Road (Bóthar Seoighe) urban Gaeltacht in the southwest of Belfast. St. Mary's University College Belfast, also situated on Falls road is the only teaching college with a dedicated Irish Medium Unit. It also is home to 'An t-Aisionad' (resource center) which translates and publishes literature in to Irish for use in schools and other organisations in Ireland.

County Londonderry

An area in southern County Londonderry centred on Slaghtneill (Sleacht Néill) and Carntogher (Carn Tóchair), which had gone from being 50% Irish-speaking in 1901 to having only a few speakers by the end of the century, has seen a language revival since the setting up of a naíscoil in 1993 and a gaelscoil in 1994. In 2008 two local organisations launched a "strategy for the rebirth of the Gaeltacht", based on Irish-medium primary and secondary education. Announcing the launch, Éamon Ó Cuív, the Republic's Minister for the Gaeltacht, said that the area was "an example to other areas all over Ireland which are working to reestablish Irish as a community language".[22]

Administration

The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, under the leadership of the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, is responsible for the overall Irish Government policy with respect to the Gaeltacht, and supervises the work of the Údarás na Gaeltachta and other bodies. RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta is the RTÉ radio station serving the Gaeltacht and Irish speakers generally. TG4 is the television station which is focused on promoting the Irish language and is based in the County Galway Gaeltacht.

Traffic sign, meaning "Give Way" or "Yield", in County Waterford

In March 2005, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív announced that the government of Ireland would begin listing only the Irish language versions of place names in the Gaeltachtaí as the official names, stripping the official Ordnance Survey of their English equivalents, to bring them up to date with roadsigns in the Gaeltacht, which have been in Irish only since 1970. This was done under a Placenames Order made under the Official Languages Act.[citation needed]

Irish colleges

Irish colleges are residential Irish language summer courses that give students the opportunity to be totally immersed in the language, usually for periods of three weeks over the summer months. During these courses students attend classes and participate in a variety of different activities games, music, art and sport. Not only do these courses provide students with the ability to improve their language skills but they have also proved to be a vehicle for introducing traditional cultural activities (céilís, Irish traditional music etc.) to a new generation.[citation needed]

As with the conventional school set-up The Department of Education establishes the boundaries for class size and qualifications required by teachers. Some courses are college based and others are based with host families in Gaeltacht areas such as Ros Muc in Galway and Ráth Cairn in Co. Meath, [2] Coláiste Cill Chartha in Co. Donegal receiving instruction from a bean an tí, or Irish-speaking landlady.[citation needed]

Gaeltacht towns and villages

Main article: Place names in Irish
County English name Irish name
County Donegal Annagry Anagaire
Arranmore Árainn Mhór
Burtonport Ailt an Chorráin
Carrigart Carraig Airt
Kincasslagh Cionn Caslach
Dungloe An Clochán Liath
Doochary An Dúchoraidh
Falcarragh An Fál Carrach
Fintown Baile na Finne
Kilcar Cill Charthaigh
Gweedore Gaoth Dobhair
Glencolmcille Gleann Cholm Cille
Gola Gabhla
Gortahork Gort an Choirce
Downings Na Dúnaibh
Loughanure Loch an Iúir
Magheraroarty Machaire Rabhartaigh
Tory Island Toraigh
Rannafast Rann na Feirste
Teelin Teileann
County Mayo Carrowteige Ceathrú Thaidhg
Aughleam Eachléim
Tourmakeady Tuar Mhic Éadaigh
County Galway Inishmore Inis Mór
Costelloe Casla
Carraroe An Cheathrú Rua
Kilkieran Cill Chiaráin
Carna Carna
Kilronan Cill Rónáin
Cornamona Corr na Móna
Inverin Indreabhán
Camus Camus
Inishmaan Inis Meáin
Inisheer Inis Oírr
Lettermore Leitir Móir
Lettermullen Leitir Mealláin
Aran Islands Oileáin Árann
Rossaveal Ros an Mhíl
Rosmuck Ros Muc
Spiddal An Spidéal
County Kerry Ballyferriter Baile an Fheirtéaraigh
Ballinskelligs Baile an Sceilg
Ventry Ceann Trá
Lispole Lios Póil
Dingle An Daingean
Dunquin Dún Chaoin
Feothanach An Fheothanach
County Cork Ballyvourney Baile Bhuirne
Ballymakeera Baile Mhic Íre
Ballingeary Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh
Coolea Cúil Aodha
Kilnamartyra Cill na Martra
Cape Clear Island Oileán Chléire
County Waterford Ring An Rinn
County Meath Rathcarne Ráth Cairn
Gibbstown Baile Ghib

See also

References

  1. ^ Webster's Dictionary - definition of Gaeltacht
  2. ^ Maguire, Peter A, Language and Landscape in the Connemara Gaeltacht, Journal of Modern Literature, Fall 2002, Vol. 26, No. 1, Pages 99-107 [1]
  3. ^ http://www.pobail.ie/en/AnGhaeltacht/ReportoftheGaeltachtCommission/
  4. ^ http://www.pobail.ie/en/AnGhaeltacht/LinguisticStudyoftheGaeltacht/
  5. ^ Census 2006 Principal Demographic Results; Table 33
  6. ^ Map of An Ghaeltacht, Údarás na Gaeltachta
  7. ^ Donohoe, John (7 April 2010). "Rath Cairn celebrates 75th anniversary with 'páirtí mór'". The Meath Chronicle. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  8. ^ http://www.udaras.ie/index.php/1677
  9. ^ http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/1975/06/04/00027.asp
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Central Statistics Office Ireland Gaeltacht statistics
  11. ^ http://www.gaelic.com/does-enya-write-some-of-her-song-lyrics-in-irish-gaelic.html
  12. ^ http://www.udaras.ie/index.php/roghchlr_corparideach_/an_ghaeltacht/larscileanna_den_ghaeltacht_/ire/an_mh/1733
  13. ^ Nancy Stenson "Language Report: Rath Cairn, the youngest Gaeltacht"; in Eire-Ireland journal, Spring 1986 issue, pp.107-118.
  14. ^ http://www.udaras.ie/index.php/roghchlr_corparideach_/an_ghaeltacht/larscileanna_den_ghaeltacht_/ire/maigh_eo/1734
  15. ^ http://www.udaras.ie/index.php/roghchlr_corparideach_/an_ghaeltacht/larscileanna_den_ghaeltacht_/ire/gaillimh/1735
  16. ^ http://www.udaras.ie/index.php/roghchlr_corparideach_/an_ghaeltacht/larscileanna_den_ghaeltacht_/ire/ciarra/1736
  17. ^ http://www.udaras.ie/index.php/roghchlr_corparideach_/an_ghaeltacht/larscileanna_den_ghaeltacht_/ire/corcaigh/1737
  18. ^ http://www.udaras.ie/index.php/roghchlr_corparideach_/an_ghaeltacht/larscileanna_den_ghaeltacht_/ire/port_lirge/1738
  19. ^ http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2010/02/18/00027.asp
  20. ^ http://www.waterford-news.ie/news/kfqlojidid/
  21. ^ Mangan, Stephen (21 August 2010), Could Clare Island be the next gaeltacht?, Irishtimes.com, retrieved 27 February 2011
  22. ^ Irish-Medium Education back bone of the strategy for new Gaeltacht in south Derry, Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta, January 2008. Accessed 5 April 2011

External links

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