Gaeltacht

Area where Irish is spoken, largely in the south and west of the Republic of Ireland, and especially in the counties Kerry, Galway, Waterford, Cork, Mayo, and Donegal. Historically the area was seen as the heart of the Irish ‘soul’ by generations of Irish nationalists, and it has received special help to maintain the Irish language. Amid concerns that the area of the Gaeltacht was dwindling, a radio service for the area was established in 1970 called Radió na Gaeltachta, and a television station, Telefis na Gaeltachta, opened in 1997.

The Gaeltacht enjoyed a revival at the end of the 20th century, chiefly in connection with the Irish-language poets Cathal O Searcaigh and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill , who reflect such themes as feminism and gay liberation, as well as more traditional folkloric subjects.