Beyond the cúpla focail: how local authorities help the Irish language thrive

Seachtain na Gaeilge is an annual celebration of the Irish language that brings a wide range of events to towns and cities across the country. Community groups organise talks, workshops and cultural activities. Libraries host readings and conversation circles. It is a chance to encounter Irish in everyday settings and offers a welcome opportunity to connect with people in the language.

Local authorities often help make these activities possible. Through their work in areas such as culture, libraries and heritage, local authorities support projects that encourage the use of Irish and help people improve their language skill. Some initiatives are highlighted during Seachtain na Gaeilge, but many others continue throughout the year.

One example of this ongoing support can be seen in Offaly County Council’s Lámhleabhar project. The Lámhleabhar – which means “handbook” in Irish – is a practical guide created by the council to help staff use Irish in their daily activities. It includes useful phrases for situations such as meetings, presentations and engaging with members of the public.

While there is no Gaeltacht area in Offaly, interest in the language is strong. The county has three gaelscoileanna – primary schools where teaching is done through Irish – and many people are keen to use the language more often. The Lámhleabhar helps staff feel more confident supporting people who use local authority services.

“It’s a living language so we support it as much as possible,” says Ann Marie Kelly of Offaly County Council, who led the project. The handbook also includes phonetic guides to help staff with pronunciation, and feedback has been very positive.

In Dublin meanwhile the Gaeilge365 project has been making impact. Launched in 2023 with Dublin City Council as the lead authority, the initiative brings together the four Dublin councils – Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin – along with community groups and Irish-language organisations.

As the name suggests, Gaeilge365 focuses on creating opportunities to use Irish right throughout the year. It supports community events and gatherings where people can use the language in a relaxed setting. Local authorities help by organising activities, providing venues and supporting local groups.

Daithí de Buitlear of the Gaeilge365 project says the idea is to make it easier for people who already have Irish to use it in daily life. Interest in the language in Dublin has grown steadily in recent decades. Since 1991, he notes, the number of people in the city who can speak Irish has increased by around 40 per cent. But opportunities to use the language on a daily basis haven't always been plentiful. The Gaeilge365 project is helping to address this. 

A wide range of initiatives across the Dublin region have been supported. One example is Brontannas, a South Dublin County Council programme that encourages families to get into the habit of speaking Irish together at home. The programme has included around 40 events across the county, and it's led to hundreds of families using Irish together more regularly.

Another example is Fáilte Fite Fuaite, a Dublin City Council initiative that supports people from migrant backgrounds as they settle into life in Ireland. The programme includes Irish-language classes and cultural exchanges. In one event, Ukrainian and Irish participants came together to share songs in their own languages.

Seachtain na Gaeilge is an important annual celebration of our heritage each spring, and a reminder of the vitality of the Irish language. Local authority projects such as Offaly’s Lámhleabhar and Dublin's Gaeilge365 carry this spirit forward, supporting and promoting the use of Irish throughout the year.