THE number of people speaking Irish daily is at its highest point since the Famine. Government-supported research from NUI Maynooth found almost half of those surveyed believe they are reasonably competent in speaking the cúpla focal as Gaeilge, with 25% holding a conversation through the language on a regular basis.

BUDGET cutbacks will cause serious damage to the Gaeltacht economy, taking €8 million a year out of the rural west of Ireland, farmers in the area have warned.