Catherine Connolly TD has today reaffirmed her commitment to make the Irish language a central pillar of her Presidency, announcing that if elected, she will launch a major year-long Presidential Initiative on the Irish Language in 2026–2027 to mark the centenary of the first Gaeltacht Commission.

Speaking before a visit to the Kerry Gaeltacht, Deputy Connolly said:

“I am honoured to be visiting the Kerry Gaeltacht today - one of the living heartlands of our language and culture - to restate my commitment to the Irish language as the shared voice of our nation.

“Titled ‘Teanga na hÉireann – A Nation’s Living Voice’, the initiative will run from June 2026 to June 2027, celebrating Irish as a living, creative and unifying force. It will honour the communities that have sustained it and embrace the energy of new generations who are making it their own.

“The Irish language is thriving again - not only in schools and Gaeltacht homes, but in music, media and everyday creativity. TG4 has done extraordinary work in bringing Irish-language culture to every household and nurturing a new generation of filmmakers, actors and storytellers.

“Artists like Kneecap and many others working through Irish show that our language has attitude, humour and global reach - that it belongs on every stage and in every medium. Far from being confined to the past, Irish is proving itself one of the most exciting and modern cultural movements of our time.

“As President, I will ensure that this renewed energy and confidence in our language is reflected in Áras an Uachtaráin. Teanga na hÉireann will not be a programme imposed from above but a conversation from below - listening to Gaeltacht and Galltacht communities, North and South, and to the global Irish family.

“The Irish language is the heartbeat of our shared identity - ancient and new, local and global - and its growing strength tells us something vital about who we are as a people - confident, creative and connected.”

The Presidential Initiative on the Irish Language will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the first Gaeltacht Commission (1926–2026) and aims to bring together communities, artists, educators and the wider public to celebrate and renew Irish as a living national language.

ENDS/

Contact:

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