Gaeltacht

County Mayo is the third largest county geographically in the country, comprising of 3 Gaeltacht areas, a number of Island Communities and 1,168 kms of coastline and a population of 137,231. The population in the Mayo Gaeltacht is officially recorded as 9,340 in the 2016 Census. 43.90% of the County’s population can speak irish.

Based on the 2018 Statistics from Education.ie there are 6 Naíonraí, 23 Primary and 3 Secondary Schools situated in the Gaeltacht areas of Mayo and 4 Gaelscoileanna and 6 Naíonraí outside of the Gaeltacht areas. There are also a number of enterprises and festivals operating through Irish within the County; Scoil Acla, Coláiste Uisce, Ceol na Locha, Coláiste Mhuigh Eo, Coláiste Néifinn, Coláiste Acla etc.

Mayo has a vibrant Irish speaking community, which supports the activities of Irish Language and Cultural Organisations in the county including Coiste Forbartha Thuar Mhic Éadaigh, Comhar Dún Chaocháin, Comhar Deirbhile, Comhlacht Forbartha Áitiúil Acla, Conradh na Gaeilge, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Gnó Mhaigh Eo.

The success of these organisations is testimony to the interest of the public in the Irish language and their efforts to keep the language strong in County Mayo, efforts which Mayo County Council intends to develop and support.