What is an Irish Language Network?
An Irish language network is an area that has achieved a critical mass of support in terms of community and state support for the Irish language. An Irish language network is given recognition under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 once they have agreed language plans with their community. These plans must fulfil the language planning criteria in order to be approved.
These plans must fulfil the language planning criteria in order to be approved and are based on research, the needs of the community and best practice in language planning.
Foras na Gaeilge is responsible for giving support to organisations in relation to the preparation and the implementation of the language plans in the Irish language networks.
Current Irish Language Networks
Irish Language Networks are chosen through an application process which seeks expressions of interests from community groups that area interested in creating a language plan for their area in order to acheieve status as a Network. As part of this application, the critical mass of community and state support for the Irish language in the area must be shown.
Listed below are our current Irish Language Networks
Gaeilge le Chéile
During the language planning process for the Irish Language Networks the language planning committees from the potential network areas (Clondalkin, Ennis, Loughrea, Carntogher and West Belfast) came together to form a joint committee.
Under the name ‘Gaeilge le Chéile’, this group worked together in order to improve the language planning process, promote language planning in their areas and to support one another in developing language plans.
More information is available here.
