An Ghaeltacht
An Ghaeltacht....where language is King!
Tóg Sos – tóg sa Ghaeltacht é!
(Take a break - take it in the Gaeltacht!)
The lyrical language of Irish or Gaeilge once resonated through the hills and valleys of this entire island. During a turbulant history, the language has receded in its everyday use and is now centred in scattered areas, mainly in the western part of the country which are known as Gaeltacht or Irish-speaking areas.
Ireland’s West region is fortunate to have Gaeltacht areas in both county Galway and county Mayo.
In the Gaeltacht you will notice the Irish language on signs and shopfronts as well as in everyday speech. People here switch from Irish to English and vice-versa with ease and their English is peppered with Gaeilge phrases. The Gaeltacht regions are the cultural heartland of Ireland, a treasure house of all that is best in rich heritage, culture and folklore where people still play music, sing and dance in the old traditional manner and tend to be areas of great natural beauty - worth spending time in for that reason alone!
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There are five Gaeltacht areas in Ireland's West region. West of
Galway City is
Connemara, Ireland’s largest Gaeltacht region. Just off the coast, in the mouth of Galway Bay, lie the three
Aran Islands of
Inis Mór,
Inis Meáin and
Inis Oírr (Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer). In Mayo,
Tuar Mhic Éadaigh (Tourmakeady) in the South of the county is a Gaeltacht as is some of
Oileán Acaill (Achill Island), and parts of
Erris in the North.
Cúpla Focal / a few words - pronounced “coopla fukal”
Dia dhuit / Hello, God be with you - pronounced "Deea gwit"
Slán leat / Goodbye - pronounced "Slawn latt"
Sláinte / Cheers, good health - pronounced "Slawn-che"
Céad míle fáilte / Welcome or 100,000 welcomes - pronounced "Caid meala fawl-che"
Fleadh ceoil / Festival of traditional music - pronounced "Flaa key-oal"
Located west of
Galway City, in large tracts of
Connemara, is Ireland's largest Gaeltacht region. Here, the Irish language (Gaeilge) is the everyday spoken language of a people who live and work in Galway's cultural heartland. People here switch from Irish to English and vice-versa with ease and their English is peppered with Gaeilge phrases. Here is a treasure house of all that is best in rich Irish heritage, culture and folklore where people still sing and dance in the old traditional manner.
Driving westwards along Galway's coast, the variation in landscape will strike you. On the left is the powerful Atlantic and to your right is
Connemara, a scenic vista of bogs, valleys and lakes whose spectacular intricate coastline encloses the dramatic Twelve Bens (Na Beanna Beola) and Maamturk Mountains. Quiet little roads wind through the majestic landscape and lead you from village to village. Still unspoiled and relatively unexplored, you will find clean beaches, scenic walks, peace and quiet and regardless of where you turn you are never far from the sea.
Just off the coast, in the mouth of Galway Bay, lie the three
Aran Islands of
Inis Mór,
Inis Meáin and
Inis Oírr (Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer). These islands are renowned for their unique way of life, where age-old traditions co-exist comfortably with modern living. The island have a rich history that can be seen from their ancient monuments, from both prehistoric and Christian times.
From the
Mullet Peninsula, a craggy finger of land in the Atlantic Ocean, along a spectacular seaboard from the prehistoric
Céide Fields to
Gaoth Sáile (Geesala) and inland to the great expanse of
Erris before turning southwards to
Oileán Acaill (Achill Island), this is the magnificent Mayo Gaeltacht. Inland, on the shores of
Lough Mask and nestling under the Partry Mountains in the south of the county is the lovely Gaeltacht village of
Tuar Mhic Éadaigh (Tourmakeady).
The wild and wonderful Mayo Gaeltacht offers a wide variety of land and seascapes together with a unique cultural heritage. Here, the Irish Language (Gaeilge) is the spoken language of a people who have experienced much since the first farmers settled in
Beldeirg (Belderrig) before the pyramids were built! People here switch from Irish to English and vice versa with ease.
The Mayo Gaeltacht is a region which deserves to be explored. In the North, the
Barony of Erris is one of Europe’s least inhabited areas and lies in a pristine environment that is maintained and nurtured with care. Amongst its many special features are cliffs, seastacks, machair, mountains, bogland, beaches and many other secrets that await discovery. As one moves south, Ireland’s largest island comes into view. Linked by bridge to the mainland,
Oileán Acaill (Achill Island) still retains that unique sense of self-sustainability.
Achill is famous for it’s music, its scenery, its beaches and its warm and friendly hospitality. Whether it is learning the Irish language, deciphering the mystic legends of the land or studying its varied unique environment the Mayo Gaeltacht has something to suit you.
In
Erris, dolmens, prehistoric ritual graves, standing stones, monasteries, abbeys and castles bear testimony to a rich heritage. The most historic sites include the
Céide Fields,
Belderig Prehistoric Farm, and Glosh Tower. Learn about the local folklore of the
Barony of Erris including the legend of Clann Lír by visiting
Ionad Deirbhle Visitor Centre in Eachleim (Aughleam) or The Seanscoil in Ceathrú Thaigdhe (Carrowtigue).
A historical site in
Achill is ‘The Mission’ or ‘The Colony’ at Dugort which was a proselytising mission encouraging conversion to Protestism. The 80 ruined houses in
Slievemore Deserted Village at Dugort are a testimony to hard times and poverty on Achill in times past.
In Mayo Gaeltacht festivals reflect the character of the area -
Féile Iorras, an international folks arts festival which takes place in July while lovers of traditional music can attend
Scoil Acla on Achill Island. The new
National Park in Ballycroy and many Special Protected Areas in the Mayo Gaeltacht are a testimony to its pristine environment.
Useful information
Read about the Gaeltacht in the
South West and the
North West.
More about traditional Irish culture