Languages in Ireland

The main language spoken on the island of Ireland is English although in parts of the country particularly in the western coast counties collectively known as Galetacht, Irish is still in use. Within the Galetacht area approximately 75% of the population are Irish speaking.

Irish is a Celtic language with Indo-European roots sometimes referred to as Gaelic. The Irish word for the language is "Gaelige". Irish (Gaeilge) is a Goidelic language, originating in Ireland, and historically spoken by the Irish. It enjoys constitutional status as the national and first official language of the Republic of Ireland, and it is an official language of the European Union.

The Polish language is one of the most widely-spoken languages in Ireland after English and Irish. Other languages spoken in Ireland include Shelta, spoken by the Irish Traveller population and a dialect of Scots spoken by the descendents of Scottish settlers in Ulster.