An Gaeltacht

Connemara is unique in many ways and holds strong ties to traditional culture. A stronghold of the Irish language, it is home to Ireland’s largest Irish speaking (Gaeltacht) area which takes in much of Connemara as well as the three Aran Islands. Irish is the everyday language here and you’ll see it on signposts and shop fronts and hear it in shops, pubs and on the streets.

Irish is a truly musical language with a cadence and rhythm unlike English and a beautiful, poetic turn of phrase. In Gaeltacht areas traditional music, song and dance are gently nurtured and widely celebrated, and in many ways the Gaeltacht has become the cultural heartland of Ireland, protecting the rich heritage, culture and folklore of the country. Taking a month-long trip to the Gaeltacht for summer school is a right of passage for teenagers from all over Ireland and a wonderful chance to improve their Irish, learn about traditional culture and make new friends.

As you travel around Connemara try to make the connection between the English place names and their Irish origin. The easiest ones to spot are those that have changed little in their Anglicisation. The Irish word for island, inis, has merely been changed to inish; lakes still use the Irish name lough and a mountain pass, mám, has become Maam or Maum. Look out for the word baile, a town, used in place names like Ballyconneely or Ballynahowan; cill, a church, in names such as Kilbrickan; or gleann, a valley, in names like Glentrasna. 

Although all Gaeltacht residents are bilingual, any attempt visitors make to speak the language will be met with broad smiles and lots of encouragement. The table below will get you started with a cúpla focal (a few words).