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 is fortunate to harbour Gaeltachts in both Galway and 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 is also 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. They also tend to be areas of great physical beauty, worth spending time in for that reason alone.

There are five Gaeltacht areas in Ireland West. 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.

Learn a few words of Irish

• A few words = Cúpla Focal (pronounced “coopla fukal”)
• Hello (God be with you) = Dia dhuit (pronounced "Deea gwit")
• Goodbye = Slán leat (pronounced "Slawn latt")
• Cheers/good health = Sláinte (pronounced "Slawn-che")
• Welcome (100,000 welcomes) = Céad míle fáilte (pronounced "Caid meala fawl-che")
• Festival of traditional music = Fleadh ceoil (pronounced "Flaa key-oal")