What Is Irish?
Irish is the original indigenous language of Ireland and one of the oldest vernacular languages in Europe. It continues to be spoken in Ireland but is occasionally confused with Gaelic, a closely-related Celtic language spoken in Scotland.
As the national language, Irish is the first official language of the Republic of Ireland. It forms a vital part of the living heritage of the Irish State and an important natural resource in An Ghaeltacht (the Irish-speaking districts).
The current population of the Gaeltacht regions is approximately 85,000, with major concentrations of speakers in the western counties of Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, and Cork. There are smaller concentrations in the counties of Waterford in the south and Meath in the east.
In addition, many Irish immigrants who came to the United States in the 18th, 19th, and 20th Centuries spoke Irish, and the language is still spoken in cities such as Boston, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. It is also taught in universities all over the world, including Cambridge, Edinburgh, Paris, Bonn, Utrecht, Aberdeen, Harvard, Boston College, UC Berkeley, UCLA, New York, Toronto, and Moscow.
Requirements for the Minor in Irish Language and Literature
Courses
Faculty
