Saturday, the 20th of September, marked the first national protest in Dublin for Irish language rights in over a decade. While a recent cultural surge has shown increased popularity of Irish among younger generations, 0.10% of the State expenditure goes to the Irish language and Gaeltacht schemes, and the number of daily speakers in the Gaeltacht fell by 13% between 2011 and 2022, according to Conradh na Gaeilge. They say that although groups have been advocating for changes for years and government commitments have been made, there are few implementations to show for it.
“We need investment, not more words”, said Conradh na Gaeilge president Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin.
They are demanding, in both the North and South, “equitabl[e]” and adequate” funding for the Irish language and Gaeltacht community; “appropriate satisfactory provision” to be made for the right to attend Irish medium education with a “satisfactory” learning experience; that “language rights, language legislation and Government commitments made over the past few years be complied with and implemented without further delay”, and support to preserve Gaeltacht communities amidst the housing crisis.
“As talks of reunification of this island grow louder, we have a chance to seize the vision of Easter Week, and seize the historic opportunity to fortify the Irish language and build a republic that cherishes all the children of the nation”, continued Mr Mac Giolla Bhéin.
Thousands from around the country travelled to Dublin for the demonstration, including school communities, political organisations, Irish language communities, artists, and musicians. Marching from Parnell Square to Leinster House, protesters donned red shirts and keffiyehs, held tricolour flags, and chanted “Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam” — a country without a language is a country without a soul.
