The Spiddal Gaeltacht
the Spiddal Gaeltacht Experience
Our native Irish language and culture are intertwined with people's lives, offering a unique platform to our culture of writing, poetry, folklore, drama and dance.
Spiddal and it’s surrounding areas is one Of Ireland’s strongest Gaeltacht ‘Irish speaking’ areas.
About 70% of the population speak Irish on a daily basis and Irish is very much part of the community with church mass and other community-based events held in Irish.
Naturally, the local primary and secondary schools are Gaelscoils (teaching through Irish), ensuring the next generation will use and appreciate the language.
For those not living in the area, Spiddal is an important destination for hundreds of young students to come and attend Irish college each summer.
During a three week summer camp, students live locally in the community and attend Coláiste Connacht, to immerse themselves in Irish and practice speaking it everyday.
More information is available on www.colaistechonnacht.com
For this reason there are many initiatives in place to maintain and encourage the use of the Irish language in the area. Central to this is the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga (the language commissioner) which is located near An Spidéal.
One of our most significant developments to strengthen the spoken language is Fóram Chois Fharraige um Pleanáil Teanga. Cois Fharraige, meaning ‘Beside the Sea’, encompasses the coastal region stretching from just beyond Barna to the Casla river beyond Rossaveel.
Given the ubiquity of English, there is a constant challenge to ensure that Irish as a community language survives. The purpose of An Fóram, is to implement the Language Plan, to ensure that the Irish language continues as a strong and meaningful part of community life in the area for current and future generations.
Through the support of Fóram Chois Fharraige and others, there are many initiatives available to people in the local community who would like to learn or improve their Irish and meet with fellow Irish speakers.
Evening classes are regularly held catering to all levels throughout the year. There’s also the Gael Chara, (Irish Friend) initiative, where individuals with any level of Irish can connect with a fluent speaker that they know, to practice speaking the language.
There are lots of other initiatives held throughout the year from Irish movie nights, to coffee mornings and music events. You can subscribe to the local newsletter, ‘Scéal, Scéal, Scéal’ that offers regular updates on all Irish language initiatives in the area.
To learn more visit: https://coisfharraige.ie/pleanail-teanga/