Reclaiming Celtic Culture: The Revival of the Irish Language
The native language of Ireland- Gaeilge- is one of the most ancient languages in Europe, being spoken for over 2,000 years, since around 500BC, with the earliest written records dating back to the 4th century. Such an archaic dialect provides a deep-rooted connection to the country for many; it is an essential part of Irish culture and heritage- a piece of history. But over the time, Gaeilge has suffered much linguistic discrimination and hardships which have, in turn, lead to a significant decline in native speakers.
Nevertheless, hope is not lost. Since 1991, the abundance of Irish speakers has increased by 71%, a hopeful statistic which will continue to rise due to the new progressions in Ireland. This is as a result of several advancements such as improvements in the education of the language, further awareness spread through modern technology, and a newfound pride for Irish heritage and culture. But to understand the full significance of this development, we need to remember the extent of the oppression the language has faced through the ages; to educate further generations on the history of Ireland, lest we forget.
How has Gaeilge been oppressed over the centuries?
Ireland’s hardships when facing oppression (more specifically under English control) have been most widely recognised in the past 60 years, due to the Troubles in Northern Ireland. However, England has been incessantly striving to eradicate and diminish Irish language and culture through repressive policies since the 14th century.
The first British law relating to the ban of Gaeilge backdates to 1366, where a Kilkenny parliament passed The Statutes of Kilkenny. This consisted of 35 laws (enforced by the English Crown) which dictated Irish culture. One specific law outlined the ban on Gaeilge, stating that Anglo-Irish people could not speak Irish or adopt any Irish customs. It even declared that disobeying these statutes was a treasonable offence, inducing fear into those who spoke the language. This was put into place to further enforce segregation and consequently enhance English control over Ireland, contributing to the long-term decline in Irish speakers. However, this was only the beginning, as in 1537, The Statute of Ireland- an Act for English Order Habit and Language took another step towards suppressing Gaeilge by announcing that it could no longer be spoken in Irish Parliament. This is another example of repressive policies by the English, aiming to exterminate Irish identity.
In more recent centuries, the Irish language has been repressed specifically throughout the education system. In 1831, The National School System was established, introducing a ban on Gaeilge. This was enforced so strictly that physical punishment was often used on Irish students who dared to speak their mother-tongue, and teachers were required to teach solely in English. This ultimately led to a decrease in native Irish speakers, as the education system had been reformed to fit English customs and to eliminate Irish identity. By strategically making the language inaccessible for young learners, they meticulously crafted Ireland as a place ruled by England with a system made for England. Moreover, the determination to exterminate Irish for good was exacerbated by ministers such as Lord Londonderry (the first Minister for Education) and Lord Craigavon (the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland), who put in place and supported the restraints on learning the language. Lord Londonderry made sure to make opportunities to learn Gaeilge significantly harder to access, succeeding greatly, as due to this there was a 50% decrease in the number of students studying Irish between 1924 and 1927. His restrictions were later supported by Lord Craigavon who stated, “What use is it to us here in this busy, progressive part of the Empire to teach our children the Irish language?”, a statement which tainted Ireland’s pride and identity and spoke of regression and oppression.
How has Gaeilge been revived as of recent years?
As of now, Gaeilge is experiencing a cultural resurgence, as there has been a sudden escalation in keen learners. They have discovered a sense of passion and enthusiasm, eager to reconnect with their heritage and culture. But why now?
Launched on December 21st 2010, a program called The 20-Year Strategy (2010-2030) was initiated by the Irish government to further improve support and recognition for the language through focusing their aims in 9 specified areas. These areas included: the economy, education, the Gaeltacht, the community, the media, technology, and family. The introduction of this plan was an achievement for the people of Ireland, as it has led to the enforcement of further developments, with the goal of increasing Irish speakers a significant amount by 2030.
For instance, progressions have been made in the education system in Ireland, an essential factor which has initiated the renewal of Gaeilge throughout the country. As of November 2025, Minister McEntee has launched a new policy to enhance Irish learning in both Irish-medium and English-medium schools in Ireland. He declared, “Our goal is for Irish to be experienced as a living language, not just a school subject.” This statement illustrates the newfound attitude towards embracing cultural identity, as previous ministers have shunned the use of the language and launched programmes to prevent its growth. To hear a minister speak these optimistic words has provided the country with a new sense of motivation and hope for the future. This Action Plan is built on four key aims: increasing the use of Irish, supporting access by all children and young adults to learn Irish, integrating support for Irish, and encouraging a positive attitude towards the language. This is an integral part of the revival of Gaeilge, as the authorities are making active progressions towards its renewal, and recognising its importance in Irish society.
Another pivotal component to the increase in learners is due to the direct result of the use of technology in everyday life. The growth of mobile phones, social media and apps, has subsequently led to more awareness, as the ability to study Gaeilge has become so much more accessible, with the majority of the population possessing a mobile phone. For example, Duolingo - the most popular language learning app - has 1.1 million worldwide users actively learning Irish, with 23% of these users living in Ireland today. With the support of social media, Duolingo has made learning languages easy, entertaining and exciting, with quick-fire quizzes to recall knowledge. Although, this is not the only way that technology has led to an increase in Irish speakers. The popular use of social media has allowed for awareness on the endangerment of the language to become more widespread to further initiate action and development.
Language is inextricably linked to who we are as individuals and communities; the heart of every country.
Let us never forget history, but to move forward, with positive attitudes and progressive actions, to renew Ireland’s customs, systems and traditions.
Niamh O’Donnell
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