Irish language at ‘highest usage since Famine’

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.

According to the Fr Michael MacGreil-led study, the use of Irish is now at its highest point in 150 years and has reached a stage where it can be revived as a viable alternative to the English language.

The ‘Irish Language and the Irish People’ research has also found that despite the general perception that the Irish language heartland is in the west of the country, the number of people who say they are speaking the language on a regular basis is higher in the greater Dublin region — described by the author of the report as “the Pale”.