Irish (Gaeilge) Irish, or Gaeilge, is a Celtic language with roots stretching back over 2,000 years, first appearing in Ogham inscriptions around the 4th century CE. Once spoken across Ireland, it declined under centuries of English rule, especially after the Great Famine (1845–1852), which devastated Irish-speaking regions. By the 20th century, it neared extinction, surviving mainly in remote western areas called the Gaeltacht. However, post-independence Ireland made Irish a compulsory school subject and co-official language (with English). Today, about 1.8 million claim some knowledge, though only approximately 70,000 use it daily. Revival efforts include Irish-medium schools (Gaelscoileanna), TG4 television, and state support. The language’s melodic intonation, initial mutations, and VSO word order distinguish it. Modern Irish adapts with new terms for technology and urban life. While English dominates, Irish remains a powerful symbol of national identity—featured on currency, road signs, and official documents. Young urban speakers now embrace it as cool and countercultural. UNESCO once listed it as endangered, but grassroots activism and digital resources (apps, podcasts) fuel resurgence. Irish embodies resilience: a language suppressed yet never silenced, now reclaiming its place not just as heritage, but as a living voice of contemporary Ireland.
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