The Rathcairn Gaeltacht in Meath, established in 1935
Over 25, 000 students spent time in the Gaeltacht this summer, setting a new all time record. Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cúiv said that the increasing numbers show that “more and more people are opting for the Irish language”. He also said that 50% more students are attending the summer courses in the Gaeltacht areas in the 90s and 00s than in the 70s and 80s.
“This is a testament to the growing interest that parents and students alike are showing in acquiring Irish as a spoken language.
“There is no question but that Irish is much more prominent now in our society due to developments in recent years such as the establishment of TG4, and that our young people now have more of an interest in the language”, he said.
Ó Cúiv also gave the hard working mná tí (head female of the house) a slap on the back for their part in the success of the coláístí samhraidh (summer courses). Under the “Irish language Learners” scheme that was first established in the 70s, the Government pays grants to native Irish speaking households throughout the Gaeltacht for having students to stay. There are currently 42 coláistí samhraidh around the country.
