Stair na Gaeilge

The word ‘Gaeltacht’ is used to classify areas in Ireland where Irish is, or until recently, was the main spoken language of a substantial number of the local population. The Gaeltacht areas are defined by Government order and every successive government has recognized the need for specific measures, structures and funding to ensure the maintenance of these communities. [http://www.udaras.ie/en/an-ghaeilge-an-ghaeltacht/an-ghaeltacht/]

Irish is a Celtic language, like Scottish Gaelic, Manx Gaelic (Manx), Welsh, Breton and Cornish. The Gaelic languages originate from Old Irish and the other three Celtic languages come from British. There were other Celtic languages spoken on the European Mainland, but they died out around 1,500 years ago. [http://www.udaras.ie/en/an-ghaeilge-an-ghaeltacht/stair-na-gaeilge/]

Traditional Irish writing was called Ogham writing! It had 25 letters compared to the current 23 in the Irish alphabet.