| So where did the Irish language come from you | | | | towns of Carrowteige, Aughleam and |
| might ask? Well, it's believed it was the Celts who | | | | Tourmakeady. |
| first brought an early form of Gaelic to Ireland. It | | | | The Gaeltacht area in County Kerry can mainly be |
| was a Celtic language closely related to Scottish | | | | found on the Dingle Peninsula, the most western |
| Gaelic and Manx Gaelic (spoken in the Isle of Man). | | | | tip of Europe. This rugged peninsula has some of |
| The earliest form of primitive Irish in Ireland can | | | | the most spectacular scenery. It's jammed |
| be seen on ogham stone inscriptions around the | | | | packed with about 2,000 archaelogical sights, |
| 4th century. Modern Irish evolved around the 16th | | | | picturesque villages, a coastline dotted with islands, |
| century and up until the 19th century, Irish was | | | | beaches, cliffs and a vibrant town with its own |
| widely spoken in the country. | | | | resident dolphin! |
| Nowadays, if you want to hear Irish people | | | | Head west of Dingle town to areas like Ventry, |
| speaking in their native tongue, then you'll have to | | | | Dunquin, Ballyferriter, Ballydavid and the Blasket |
| go to Gaeltacht areas when in Ireland. Gaeltacht | | | | Islands to hear the locals converse in their native |
| areas are places in Ireland (mainly in the west) | | | | tongue. |
| where the Irish language is still the everyday | | | | If you happen to be in west County Cork you |
| spoken language of the local people. Gaeltachts | | | | can explore one of four Irish speaking |
| are not only Irish speaking areas, but are also the | | | | communities. Ballyvourney is a picturesque little |
| places where Irish customs, traditions, folklore, | | | | village which can be found just inside the Cork |
| song, music and dance are very much kept alive. | | | | Kerry border. Not far from Ballyvourney you can |
| Most Gaeltacht speaking areas have summer | | | | visit two other Irish speaking areas, namely |
| schools where Irish is taught to students, while | | | | Ballingeary and Coolea. Clear Island off the south |
| you might also stumble across some beginners | | | | coast of County Cork is a charming little island |
| classes if you want to learn the basics. | | | | where Irish is also spoken as the everyday |
| The biggest Gaeltacht area in Ireland is in County | | | | language. |
| Galway. If you happen to be in this part of | | | | The only Gaeltacht in the south east of Ireland |
| Ireland, go west of Galway city to an area called | | | | can be found in County Waterford. The Irish |
| Connemara and you'll discover a land where it | | | | language, culture and traditions are very prevalent |
| feels as if time has stood still. A landscape of | | | | here in an area known as Ring (An Rinn) and Old |
| unspoilt scenery, quite country roads, bogs, | | | | Parish (An Sean Phobal). To find this Gaeltacht |
| valleys, uncrowded and unpolluted sandy beaches | | | | area just drive about 10km south of Dungarvan |
| is what you'll find here. | | | | town. |
| You'll also find Irish customs, traditions and the | | | | In the royal county of Meath, you'll find two little |
| language at the very heart of the community. | | | | pockets of Irish speaking communities - Rathcairn |
| The Aran Islands off the coast of Galway are | | | | and Gibbstown (about 70km from Dublin). The |
| also part of the Irish speaking Gaeltacht. You | | | | history of these two Irish speaking communities is |
| might also be lucky enough to hear Irish spoken in | | | | quite different to others, in that they were |
| Galway city, where you see bilingual signs and | | | | formed when Irish speaking families from |
| names of shops still in Irish. | | | | Connemara were resettled here back in the |
| Ireland's second largest Gaeltacht area is in | | | | 1930's. |
| County Donegal in the very north west of Ireland. | | | | Experience a Gaeltacht area for yourself when |
| Fringed by the Atlantic Ocean, Donegal is a county | | | | you visit Ireland and maybe learn some |
| of outstanding natural beauty. The Gaeltacht can | | | | 'cúpla focal' (Irish words). Gaeltacht areas |
| be found mainly in the west of the county, so | | | | are the last remaining unique and special parts of |
| head to areas like Fanad, Gweedore, Glencolmcille, | | | | Ireland where there is a distinctive "Irishness" to |
| Tory Island and Aranmore Island. | | | | be seen. So if you really want to get a feel for |
| The Gaeltacht area in County Mayo is also quite | | | | the Irish language and culture, put a trip to one of |
| extensive. If you want to visit an Irish speaking | | | | these Gaeltachts on your itinerary. |
| area here, then head for the little picturesque | | | | |