Download the information sheet on careers with Irish #
Download the information sheet on potential jobs with the Irish language or view the content reproduced below.
The Civil Service #
Possible Jobs in the Sector
- Executive Officer – The Executive Officer grade is the entry level to junior management in the Civil Service. EOs are employed in all government departments and offices and cover a wide range of roles and activities such as dealing with the public, dealing with drafting and implementing policies and legislation and other.
- Communications Officer – The role of a Communications Officer includes representing the relevant organisation to the media and communicating the organisation’s objectives internally and externally e.g. answering queries from the media or organising media campaigns and press events.
- Engineer – Someone who is involved in inventing, designing and maintaining a variety of structures, machines and data systems. Engineers are experts in their fields, creating and innovating constantly.
- Drafter or Economist/Policy Analyst – The role of Economist/Policy Analyst is an important one and the work they do is varied and challenging. The Economist/Policy Analyst can take responsibility for specific areas of work and manage a small team. The Economist/Policy Analyst draws on experience and expertise in analysis to inform evidence based policy and decision making.
- And more: ICT Specialist, Education Officer, Agricultural Officer, Communications Officer, Project Manager, Diplomat, Architect, Scientist, Accountant, Legal Advisor, Veterinarian, Conservation Warden, Receptionist.
Qualifications / Skills
Every job in the civil service is different from each other. There are roles where a third level qualification is not required e.g. Executive Officer; other roles that may require a third level qualification e.g. Accountant and other roles still where you can get your qualification while working in a specific role e.g. ICT Apprenticeship. These roles can offer great flexibility and can even give you the chance to continue with your education while working.
In terms of the Irish language, there is now a requirement that 20% of recruits to the public service will be competent in Irish by the end of 2030. Depending on the role, a high standard of spoken and/or written Irish would be required to undertake work through the medium of Irish.
These opportunities will be across a variety of roles, locations and environments with a particular emphasis on inclusivity and diversity in this.
Because of that, Irish would be a significant advantage to you when going for any role in the civil service, particularly those mentioned above.
Further Information
You can find further information on careers in the Civil Service at: Publicjobs.ie, careersportal.ie
The Public Service #
Possible Jobs in the Industry
- Primary/Post-Primary school teacher – You will be in a room teaching up to thirty students, instilling a love in them for various subjects and supporting them as they learn and grow.
- Doctor – Having obtained a degree in medicine, you can provide the service through the medium of Irish, especially for patients whose primary language is Irish.
- Garda – If you want to be with the public and helping them, this is the job for you. You will have to develop a relationship with the community, as well as protecting them and listening to them.
- And more: Nurse, Speech & Language Therapist, Lecturer, Social Worker & Care Worker, Post Man/Woman, Bus Driver, Urban & Rural Development, Planner, Early Childhood Educator
Qualifications / Skills
As you can see above, there is a lot of diversity in the public service. Sometimes, a relevant degree will be required, e.g. if you want to be a nurse, you need a degree in nursing. There are roles where a third level qualification is not required e.g. Executive Officer; other roles that may require a third level qualification e.g. Accountant and other roles still where you can get your qualification while working in a specific role e.g. ICT Apprenticeship. These roles can offer great flexibility and can even give you the chance to continue with your education while working.
In terms of the Irish language, there is now a requirement that 20% of recruits to the public service will be competent in Irish by the end of 2030. Depending on the role, a high standard of spoken and/or written Irish would be required to undertake work through the medium of Irish.
These opportunities will be across a variety of roles, locations and environments with a particular emphasis on inclusivity and diversity in this.
Because of that, Irish would be a significant advantage to you when going for any role in the public service, particularly those mentioned above. If you are an organised person, who wants to help others, that would also be of benefit to you.
Further Information
You can find further information on careers in the Public Service: careersportal.ie, on the websites of the relevant organisations
Positions in these organisations may also be advertised on: Scéal.ie, Publicjobs.ie
Other Roles with the Irish Language #
Possible Jobs in the Industry
- Youth Worker – Promote Irish amongst young people. An inspiring person who can creatively encourage the language through games, music, sport etc.
- Communications Executive – You will be responsible for the organisations social media and website. You will write press releases and promote the organisation in the general media.
- Language Planning Officer – Developing language plans to promote and strengthen the Irish language in specific areas throughout the country.
- Childcare worker – Cares for the basic needs of infants and toddlers. They also maintain the children’s schedules with naps, play time and meals. A very important role in terms of passing on the Irish language to this young age.
- Researcher – Researchers lead projects, and coordinate and administer the research on a day-to-day basis. They produce a final report as well as provide updates to senior management on the progress of that project on a regular basis. They also collaborate with relevant parties as part of their research.
Head Irish language organisations:
Conradh na Gaeilge, Coláiste & Cumann na bhFiann, Gaeloideachas, Gael Linn, Glór na nGael, An tOireachtas
Other organisations (examples):
Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta, Ógras, Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Cill Dara le Gaeilge…
Qualifications / Skills
Depending on the role, a high standard of spoken and/or written Irish would be required to work through the medium of Irish in these types of roles. An interest in Irish language matters could also be of benefit and many of the organisations love to see your previous experience dealing with the Irish language, whether that’s involvement in the Irish language Society in university or being involved with the language in the community.
Depending on the role, specific qualifications may also be required or desirable e.g. qualifications for childminders and language planning officers.
Further Information
You can find further information on careers like these: on the organisations’ websites, careersportal.ie
Positions in these organisations may also be advertised on: Scéal.ie, Publicjobs.ie
European Union Institutions #
Job Opportunities in the European Union Institutions
The types of work done by each of these positions in the European Union institutions depends on the particular institution they are working in:
- Translator – translating documents, legislation, press releases that come from that institution from one language to another. This is an opportunity to work alone, or to work as part of a team.
- Conference Interpreter – verbally translating speakers as they are speaking to others in the audience (Members of the European Parliament, for example.)
- Lawyer-Linguist – responsible for using legal jargon for use in translating court cases and legal documents.
- Proofreader – ensures that the language used is accurate in any publication and that there is continuity in the style of language used throughout.
- Assistant – supporting other roles, depending on the institution and job
- Administrator – administrative work for the institution
Main Institutions of the European Union
The European Commission – puts the decisions of the Parliament and the Council into effect and recommends legislation. It is independent of politics. The Commission proposes the legislation.
European Parliament – Members of Parliament (MEPs) operate here and elections are held every five years.
Council of the European Union – Ministers from each Member State gather to discuss a specific topic e.g. if educational issues are to be discussed, the Ministers for Education from each Member State would attend.
Qualifications / Skills
An EPSO exam is done for a permanent job in a European Union institution. It ensures accuracy in the Irish language and suitability to a role. Therefore, often a qualification in the language is not required.
Here are some qualifications/conditions for certain roles:
Translator – requires a high standard of Irish, but there is no requirement for a third-level degree in the language. Courses in translation would be an advantage. It is of benefit to have another European language.
Conference Interpreter – requires a qualification in the skill. There is a postgraduate course in the University of Galway. Having another European language is an advantage.
Lawyer-Linguist – requires an LLB. Fluency in French is an advantage.
Proofreader – requires a high level of accuracy in the language, but no particular degree is required.
Assistant and Administrator – these roles depend on the types of work that would be carried out at the institution and office, but you will usually be trained during your employment.
As part of employment in the EU institution, employees are often provided with classes in other languages.
Further Information
You can find further information on careers in the European Union Institutions at: Careers with Irish in the EU institutions, Epso.europa.eu, careersportal.ie
Positions in the institutions may also be advertised on: Publicjobs.ie, Scéal.ie
The Media #
Possible Jobs in the Industry
- Copywriter – A copywriter produces the written words or ‘copy’ for advertisements. This could be anything from slogans and text for printed ads and leaflets, to radio jingles and scripts for TV commercials.
- Television/Radio Presenter – The person that presents the show. Someone who is comfortable in front of a crowd, and able to think on the spot.
- Journalist – Promoting stories to the public. They are always looking for the truth. They should have good writing skills.
- Film director – They are the creative leads on the film. They will understand the production process from start to finish, they can work under pressure, and they have an incredible imagination.
- And more: Weather Presenter, Sports Commentator, Publisher, Editor, Actor
Employers in the industry (examples)
Writing: Tuairisc.ie, the Seachtain newspaper, An Gúm
Television: TG4, cúla4, NemetonTV
Radio: RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Raidió Rí-Rá, Raidió na Life
Qualifications / Skills
Media courses are available in almost every university in the country. Interpersonal skills are very important for these roles. Excellent writing skills and a knowledge of current affairs would also be of benefit for many of these roles.
These types of roles would suit you if you are a responsible person who is good at communicating and working towards achieving a common goal.
Further Information
You can find more information on careers in Media: on the organisations’ websites, careersportal.ie
Positions in these organisations may also be advertised on: Scéal.ie
