The Irish Language Attitudes Survey, 2025: Ability, Use and Attitudes on the Island of Ireland is the latest in the longest running major survey series on attitudes regarding the Irish language on the island of Ireland. The study gives a unique and detailed insight into current attitudes and information about language ability on the island of Ireland. In total, 1,000 adult participants were recruited in ROI and 498 adult participants were recruited in NI.
Key findings highlight:
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD said: “I am delighted to launch this survey today. This research provides us with critical information, both positive and negative, and the survey results will be a valuable source of information and evidence for my Department, for Foras na Gaeilge, for our partners in the Department of Communities in Northern Ireland, and for Irish-language organisations as we plan for the Irish language over the next 10 years. These results will also be a valuable resource in developing the next Government strategy as the current 20 year strategy for the Irish language comes to a close in 2030.”
Noel Ó Murchadha, Associate Professor in Language Education in the School of Education School of Education, Trinity, said: “This survey on the Irish language is the latest in a series that dates back to the 1970s and the results of the current survey are set against that backdrop. There are some remarkable results in the current report, particularly with respect to substantial levels of support for Irish and for state policy interventions in support of the language. The report provides a significant knowledge base for Irish-language policymakers in both the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland at a pivotal time in the trajectory of the language.”
Colin J. Flynn, Assistant Professor in Applied Linguistics in the School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Science, Trinty, said: “In this latest survey nearly half (49%) of adults in ROI reported at least basic fluency in speaking the language, while one in ten (10%) indicated advanced fluency in Irish. In NI, 21% reported at least basic fluency in the language, and 2% indicated advanced fluency. Overall, attitudes towards Irish were largely positive in both jurisdictions, with majorities expressing support for the language. In ROI 78% of respondents, and in NI 55%, reported being in favour of Irish.”
Foras na Gaeilge CEO, Seán Ó Coinn said: “Overall, this research demonstrates a strong base of support for the Irish language across the island, and Foras na Gaeilge will be working closely with our partners in both governments and the Irish-language Lead-Organisations to strengthen this progress, and to expand the daily use of the language, and opportunities to learn and improve Irish.
The research shows a positive snapshot of public attitudes towards the Irish language in the South and among respondents who identify as British in the North – a group that generally identify with the Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist community. A positive finding that has improved significantly since the 2013 survey.
However, we have challenges to face in the South: 50% of respondents in the South self-assessed themselves as having little to no ability in Irish, a concerning finding that is 7% higher than reported in 2013. This reflects an urgent need to improve the learning outcomes for Irish in our schools.”
Further information:
The full report, executive summary and supplementary graphics are available here: https://www.forasnagaeilge.ie/taighde25/?lang=en
