Gaeltacht << GAYL tuhkt >> is the collective name for the areas of Ireland where a large community of people speak Irish, one of the Gaelic languages, as a first language. The government of Ireland provides support for the Gaeltacht in an effort to preserve and encourage the use of the Irish language. Many children from other parts of Ireland go to the Gaeltacht in the summer to attend Irish-language schools. Various aspects of traditional Irish life have survived in the Gaeltacht, especially on the Aran Islands (see Aran Islands.)
The Gaeltacht covers parts of the counties of Donegal, Galway, Kerry, and Mayo on the western coast of Ireland, as well as parts of the counties of Cork, Meath, and Waterford. The government of Ireland decides which areas are included in the Gaeltacht.
Two government agencies provide support for the Gaeltacht. The government of Ireland established the Department of the Gaeltacht—now known as the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs—in 1956. Its purpose is to promote the cultural, social, and economic welfare of the Gaeltacht and to encourage the preservation and spread of the Irish language.
Established by the government in 1980, the state agency Údarás na Gaeltachta is also responsible for promoting the economic and social development of the Gaeltacht. The agency works with local communities and organizations to support Gaeltacht economic activities, such as agriculture, electronics, engineering, fishing, telecommunications, and textiles.
