The Irish Language

Gaoth Dobhair is at the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht, one of the country's main Gaeltacht regions. Irish is widely spoken in all parts of the parish.

Up to 2,000 teenagers from every part of the country make their way here every summer to attend courses in the Irish-Language colleges, Coláiste na bhFiann, Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Coláiste Chú Chulainn and Coláiste Ghael Linn.

Hundreds of trainee teachers from the educational institutes attend courses every year in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, in Coláiste an Phiarsaigh and in Coláiste Chú Chulainn.

Adults from every corner of Ireland and the world come to attend language courses organised by Gael Linn, Teach an Mháistire, Gaelturas and the Acadamh.

Cumann na Phiarsaigh run a course for families in Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair in July every year.

Irish is the medium used in all of the parish’s primary schools, in the Pobalscoil and in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge (OÉ Gaillimh). Gaoth Dobhair hosts many regional and national offices of various organisations such as RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta, TG4, Foras na Gaeilge and Roinn na Gaeltachta. Mass is celebrated in Irish in all of the parish’s Catholic churches.