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The 2025 edition of Céard é an Scéal?, Conradh na Gaeilge's annual research series that examines public attitudes towards the Irish language, was launched earlier this month providing a comprehensive picture of people's understanding across Ireland of the language, its future, and the policies shaping it.
Now in its 11th year, Céard é an Scéal? was established in 2015 with funding from Foras na Gaeilge to deepen understanding of the Irish-language community and to gather reliable, nationwide evidence about attitudes relating to the language.
The survey found that 68% of people in the south believe that sustaining and strengthening Gaeltacht communities should be at the heart of any housing system operating in the Gaeltacht, with only 13% opposed. Meanwhile, 73% of people in the south believe that every child should have the right to Irish-medium education at every level of the education system, and 61% believe that more Irish-language third-level courses should be made available.
When it comes to youth services, 61% in the south and 48% in the north agreed that the Government should provide more support for groups developing youth services through Irish. The poll also found that 20% in the south and 23% in the north said they would use a state service through Irish if they were aware of it.
However, the survey also revealed ongoing challenges, with 11% of those surveyed in the north indicating that they had experienced intimidation or harassment because of learning or using Irish.
Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, President of Conradh na Gaeilge, said: "Each year, Céard é an Scéal? gives us invaluable information on attitudes towards the Irish language, north and south. Strong, independent data like this strengthens every aspect of our work. These findings provide the evidence we need when lobbying politicians, ensuring that decisions on language rights, education and services reflect the real needs and wishes of the people."
He added: "In addition to this, this research plays a vital role in debunking some of the myths surrounding public attitudes towards the Irish language. It is an essential resource in securing lasting progress for the Irish language."
Cassie Ní Chatháin, Research and Analysis Executive with Conradh na Gaeilge, said: "This year's survey highlights the strong, positive shift in attitudes towards Irish, as well as the challenges that still face communities wishing to use it in their daily lives. A process of language reclamation is well underway among the public, but persistent, long-term problems and the absence of comprehensive policies continue to hamper that growth."
She added that the findings show stronger action is needed from governments, north and south, to provide better services, stronger supports, and more opportunities for people to use Irish in their daily lives, especially for Gaeltacht communities, young people, and learners across the island.
The full report is available at cnag.ie/céas
Seoladh eagrán 2025 de Céard é an Scéal? inniu, sraith taighde bhliantúil Chonradh na Gaeilge a scrúdaíonn dearcthaí an phobail i leith na Gaeilge. Anois ina 11ú bliain, tugann an t-eagrán is déanaí léargas cuimsitheach ar thuiscint na ndaoine ar fud na hÉireann ar an teanga, a todhchaí, agus na beartais a mhúnlaíonn í.
Bunaíodh Céard é an Scéal? le maoiniú ó Fhoras na Gaeilge sa bhliain 2015, chun tuiscint níos doimhne a chothú ar phobal na Gaeilge agus chun fianaise iontaofa, náisiúnta a bhailiú ar dhearcthaí a bhaineann leis an teanga.
Seo a leanas cuid de na príomhthorthaí ó phobalbhreith na bliana seo:
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Creideann 68% de dhaoine ó dheas gur cheart go mbeadh buanú agus neartú phobail na Gaeltachta i gcroí-lár aon chóras tithíochta atá ag feidhmiú sa Ghaeltacht agus ní raibh ach 13% ina choinne.
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D’aontaigh 61% ó dheas agus 48% ó thuaidh gur chóir don Rialtas níos mó tacaíochta a thabhairt do ghrúpaí le seirbhísí óige trí Ghaeilge a fhorbairt.
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Creideann 73% de dhaoine ó dheas gur chóir go mbeadh sé de cheart ag gach páiste oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge a fháil ag gach leibhéal den chóras oideachais.
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Thug 11% de dhaoine a rinneadh suirbhé orthu ó thuaidh le fios go raibh taithí acu le himeaglú nó ciapadh mar gheall ar fhoghlaim nó úsáid na Gaeilge.
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Creideann 61% de dhaoine ó dheas gur cheart níos mó cúrsaí tríú leibhéal Gaeilge a chur ar fáil.
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Dúirt 20% de dhaoine ó dheas agus 23% de dhaoine ó thuaidh go mbainfeadh siad úsáid as seirbhís stát trí Ghaeilge dá mbeadh siad ar an eolas fúithi.
Dúirt Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge:
“Gach bliain, cuireann ‘Céard é an Scéal?’ eolas fíorluachmhar ar fáil dúinn ar dhearcthaí i leith na Gaeilge, thuaidh agus theas. Neartaíonn sonraí láidre, neamhspleácha mar seo gach gné dár gcuid oibre. Tugann na torthaí seo an fhianaise atá de dhíth orainn agus muid ag déanamh stocaireachta ar pholaiteoirí, ag cinntiú go léiríonn cinntí maidir le cearta, oideachas agus seirbhísí teanga fíor-riachtanais agus mianta na ndaoine. Ina theannta si, tá ról ríthábhachtach ag an taighde seo ag bréagnú cuid de na miotais a bhaineann le dearcadh an phobail i leith na Gaeilge. Is acmhainn riachtanach í an tuairisc seo chun dul chun cinn buan a chinntiú don Ghaeilge.”
Dúirt Cassie Ní Chatháin, Feidhmeannach Taighde agus Anailíse le Conradh na Gaeilge:
“Leagann suirbhé na bliana seo béim ar an athrú dearfach, láidir atá tagtha ar dhearcthaí i leith na Gaeilge agus ar na dúshláin atá go fóill roimh phobail ar mian leo í a úsáid ina saol laethúil. Tá athghabháil teanga faoi lán seoil i measc na ndaoine, ach tá fadhbanna leanúnacha, fadtéarmacha agus easpa polasaithe cuimsitheacha ag cur isteach ar an fhás sin. Léiríonn na torthaí go bhfuil gníomhartha agus beartais níos láidre de dhíth ó na rialtais, thuaidh agus theas, chun seirbhísí níos fearr a sholáthar, tacaíochtaí níos láidre a chur ar fáil agus níos mó deiseanna a chruthú do dhaoine an Ghaeilge a úsáid ina saol laethúil - go háirithe do mhuintir na Gaeltachta, do dhaoine óga agus d’fhoghlaimeoirí ar fud an oileáin.
