An Irish Language Network () is a designation applicable to areas in both jurisdictions on the island of
Ireland
Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
.
History
The
Gaeltacht Act 2012 (in the Republic of Ireland) allowed for the designation by the cross-border body
Foras na Gaeilge
(, " Irish Institute"; ) is a public body responsible for the promotion of the Irish language throughout the island of Ireland, including both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It was set up on 2 December 1999, assuming the rol ...
and the Irish
Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht of certain areas as Irish Language Networks () outside the traditional Irish-speaking areas collectively known as the . The designation recognises a certain level of community and State support for the Irish language, and is made by electoral division or settlement name.
The designation is to be made where the commitment to the Irish language seems strong enough to justify it, and can be revoked if language plans are not followed-through successfully.
In February 2018, Foras na Gaeilge announced that five areas –
West Belfast,
Loughrea
Loughrea ( ; ), is a town in County Galway, Ireland. It lies to the north of a range of wooded hills, the Slieve Aughty Mountains and Lough Rea, the lake from which it takes its name. The town's cathedral, St Brendan's, dominates the urban sk ...
,
Carn Tóchair (ga),
Ennis
Ennis ( , meaning 'island' or 'river meadow') is the county town of County Clare, in the mid-west of Ireland. The town lies on the River Fergus, north of where the river widens and enters the Shannon Estuary. Ennis is the largest town in Cou ...
and
Clondalkin Village – were designated as having the first Irish Language Networks, subject to the committees in the networks co-formulating and adopting approved Irish language plans which are since in place. Foras na Gaeilge have said that they expect to also designate other areas outside the Gaeltacht as Irish Language Networks,
although as of early 2025, no new designations have been made.
See also
*
Gaeltacht
A ( , , ) is a district of Ireland, either individually or collectively, where the Irish government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant vernacular, or language of the home.
The districts were first officially recognised ...
Irish speaking regions in Ireland
*
Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta
A Gaeltacht Service Town () is an area designated under the Gaeltacht Act 2012, situated in or adjacent to Gaeltacht areas in Ireland, that have a population of over 1,000 people, and which play a significant role in providing public servi ...
Gaeltacht Service Towns
*
Neo-Gaeltacht
*
Irish language in Northern Ireland
The Irish language () is, since 2022, an official language in Northern Ireland. The main dialect spoken there is Ulster Irish (''Gaeilge or Gaeilg Uladh''). Protection for the Irish language in Northern Ireland stems largely from the European ...
*
Irish language outside Ireland
The Irish language originated in Ireland and has historically been the dominant language of the Irish people. They took it with them to a number of other countries, and in Scotland and the Isle of Man it gave rise to Scottish Gaelic and Manx, res ...
*
Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic (, ; Endonym and exonym, endonym: ), also known as Scots Gaelic or simply Gaelic, is a Celtic language native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a member of the Goidelic language, Goidelic branch of Celtic, Scottish Gaelic, alongs ...
Gaeilge na hAlban / Gàidhlig na h-Alba.
*
Gàidhealtachd
The (; English: ''Gaeldom'') usually refers to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and especially the Scottish Gaelic-speaking culture of the area. The similar Irish language word refers, however, solely to Irish-speaking areas.
The ter ...
Scots Gaelic speaking regions in Scotland.
References
Irish words and phrases
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