Gaeltacht Cois Fharraige
Cois Fharraige is an area west of Galway city where the Irish language is the predominant language (a Gaeltacht). It stretches from Na Forbacha, Bearna, An Spidéal to Indreabhán. There are between 8,000-9,000 people living in this area. The Cois Fharraige accent is different from the Conamara Theas accent.
The number of Irish speakers ranges from 24% in Bearna and 84% in Cill Chuimín.
The headquarters for the Gaeltacht development authority Údarás na Gaeltachta is located in Na Forbacha.
Bearna, a Gaeltacht village, is regarded by some as a suburb of Galway city due to its proximity, but there are still Irish speakers in its hinterland, and it still retains its Gaeltacht status. An Spidéal is majority Irish speaking and is the tourism centre of the region. Near Indreabhán is Baile na hAbhann, the location for the Irish language TV station TG4.
| Area | Population | Irish Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| Sliabh an Aonaigh | 615 | 33% (204) |
| Bearna | 2,367 | 24% (586) |
| Na Forbacha | 1,211 | 39% (476) |
| An Spidéal | 1.196 | 67% (813) |
| Cill Aithnín | 806 | 78% (632) |
| Sailearna | 1,241 | 82% (1,028) |
| Cill Chuimín | 1,249 | 84% (1,054) |
| TOTAL | 8,685 | 4,793 |
[1]l-
See also
County Galway
County Donegal
County Kerry
County Mayo
References
Dialects of Irish/Changing landscape p432