All-Ireland support for Irish language – new independent research report ‘Céard É An Scéal?’

A NEW research report, commissioned by Conradh na Gaeilge, Céard é an Scéal? Public Opinions Towards the Irish-Language – Annual Analysis 2, indicates that 63% of people in the South believe that every state service should be available in Irish to the Gaeltacht community.

It shows that 62% of people in the South and 41% in the North believe that there are not enough opportunities for young people to use their Irish outside the formal education system.

One third of respondents from the South and one out of five in the North also said they would be interested in learning Irish or expanding their current knowledge of the language.

Cóilín Ó Cearbhaill, President of Conradh na Gaeilge, said:

“This latest round of research commissioned by Conradh na Gaeilge indicates there is large support for the delivery of increased services and provision for the Irish-language and Gaeltacht communities.

“The second annual report in the Céard é an Scéal? series offers a broad insight into the positive public opinions on the Irish language throughout Ireland alongside the current challenges facing Irish-language speakers.”

He said there is a clear lack of opportunities for young people to use the language outside of the classroom, in addition to a gap in provision of appropriate support for families raising their children through Irish.

“This should be a wake-up call for both governments to listen to public opinion and react accordingly.”

This is the second survey commissioned by Conradh na Gaeilge with the independent research organisation Millward Brown to assess and review public opinion on the Irish-language. 

Over 2,000 participants from various backgrounds, representative of the general public in Ireland, contributed.

◼︎ Hard copies of the research report are available from Conradh na Gaeilge offices in Galway, Belfast, Newry and Dublin, and electronic copies can be obtained, alongside copies of the 2015 report, at PEIG.ie/taighdenó or by contacting Conradh na Gaeilge at [email protected].