Find out more about Irish-medium education, from early-learning up to third-level.
Irish-medium Education #
It’s now possible for a child of any age to receive their education through Irish in the Republic, albeit that their subject choices at third-level are limited.
It is helpful for the child attending Irish-medium schools if Irish is also spoken at home, even if it is just a few words or within certain contexts, just so they can see the language as something more than a school subject, and can also see that their parents are supportive of the language.
Irish-medium primary and secondary schools in the Republic operate under the standard rules set by the Department of Education and Youth. The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA) manages the provision of the Northern Irish curriculum through Irish.
Less than 5 years of age #
A naíonra is the first step in a child’s journey through formal Irish-medium education. A naíonra is an Irish-medium playgroup for pre-school children, usually between 3-5 years old, that operates for about 2-3.5 hours a day under the instruction of the playschool director.
The aim is to support the physical, intellectual, creative, aesthetic, social, emotional and lingual development of the child. This is done through play and the Irish language in a safe, supportive and encouraging environment.
In the Republic, the Gaeloideachas organisation provides support services to naíonraí outside the Gaeltacht, and Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta provides similar for early-learning within the Gaeltacht. In the North, it is the Altram organisation that provides supports to, and promotion for, Irish-medium playschools in their region.
The list of naíonraí operating outside of the Gaeltacht is available from Ghaeloideachas.
4-12 years old #
A Gaelscoil is the name given to an Irish-primary school. Irish is the language of instruction in the school and the language of communication between the staff, pupils and school management. Irish is a living language in the school, both in the classroom and outside.
Any primary school, including Irish-medium primary schools, can apply for the Gaelbhratach scheme. This scheme provides recognition for schools that work to promote the use of Irish throughout the whole school.
As is the case for playschools, it is Gaeloideachas that provides the support services for Irish-medium primary schools, and secondary schools, in the Republic. In the North, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta represents the needs of Irish-medium schools in that region.
More information is available on Irish-medium schools from Gaeloideachas and from Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta.
12-18 years old #
A Gaelcholáiste is the name given to an Irish-medium post-primary (secondary) school.
Any post-primary school, including Irish-medium secondary schools, can apply for the Gaelbhratach scheme. This scheme provides recognition for schools that work to promote the use of Irish throughout the whole school.
As is the case for naíonraí and primary schools, Gaeloideachas provides the required support services in the Republic, and Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta provides support in the North.
At this age, children are also eligible to attend an Irish-medium summer college (Coláiste Samhraidh) during the summer break, and often at other times of the year also.
18-12 years old #
Universities, technical institutions and other institutes of higher education throughout the country run several undergraduate and post-graduate courses with or through Irish.
Students can also get involved with events and campaigns run by Irish-language groups on campus, such as na Cumainn Ghaelacha, and the Students’ Union.
A mentoring scheme called Gníomhaí Gaeilge supports and celebrates students who are active within the Irish-language community in their college.
