Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
It wasn't until the resurgence of cultural pride, brought on by the Gaelic League in 1884,
that an attempt was made to promote use of the language again.
These days, less than 5 percent of the Irish population is fluent in their native tongue.
However, it's taken seriously enough that all national laws passed must first be written
in Irish, then translated into English. Irish Gaelic can be heard most often in the western
counties of Kerry, Galway, Mayo, and Donegal. Each of these counties has a slightly dif-
ferent dialect. You'll know you're entering an Irish Gaelic-speaking area when you see a
sign saying
Gaeltacht
(GAIL-tekt).
