Editor, Siún Ní Dhuinn writes about the year that was, through the lens of an Irish speaker watching the language gaining media momentum but struggling in many ways for those who use it daily.
Being an Irish speaker in Ireland is a funny old experience; often othered, often envied. 2025 has been a year like no other for Gaeilge. Bliain chinniúnach, chlaochlaithe ab ea an bhliain seo, bliain ina raibh thuas seal agus thíos seal ann do na Gaeil ach a raibh aird na tíre ar an teanga go minic.
1. From Gluaiseacht to Glasto: The Year of Kneecap
Rapping in Irish was fairly niche until a few years ago until Kneecap burst onto the scene. Tá siad ag dul ó neart go neart ó shin and 2025 saw them bring Gaeilge to the international headlines over and over again. Their impact on the language is immeasurable but we can safely say that they have transcended every boundary the Irish language has ever faced. Numbers of students learning Irish in Queen's Belfast have increased by over 200% and Oireachtas na Samhna held an Irish language rapping competition for kids (judged by Móglaí Bap agus DJ Próvaí). Enough said.
2. Hot Gael Summer
County Meath's Le Boom brought us the tune of the summer and subsequent sold out gigs and 'gael raves' and a Hot Gael summer via this banger. Ó shin i leith, tá Le Boom ag taisteal i bhfad agus is i gcéin le raves Gaelacha agus na sluaite ag teacht chun iad a fheiceáil.
3. 'Tá go leor le foghlaim fós'
Both Chantelle Taylor, Australian's Ambassador to Ireland and Kara Owen, new British Ambassador to Ireland have both committed to learning and using Irish in their roles. Both Taylor and Owen spoke of their respect for the culture of the country in which they're working. Speaking to Oliver Callan, on RTÉ Radio One, Ms. Owen said 'tá go leor le foghlaim fós', ach tá léirithe aici gurb é tús maith leath na hoibre.
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4. The quest for CEARTA
In September, thousands of Gaels marched at the CEARTA protest, in Dublin's City Centre to draw attention to the many issues facing Irish speakers, from housing policies to inadequate funding for agencies tasked with supporting the language. D'éirigh leis na sluaite aird an phobail a dhíriú ar na dúshláin atá roimh na Gaeil an saol a chaitheamh mar ba mhaith leo, trí mheán na Gaeilge.
5. Gaeilge ag An Post Irish Book Awards
In this, the twentieth year An Post Irish Book Awards, an Irish language book has broken out of the Gaeilge category and into the mainstream. More often than not, art in Irish struggles to breakout of the silo in which it is contained, so this is big. Books about Irish also feature heavily in other categories too. Bronnadh an gradam Love Leabhar Gaeilge ar Bódléar le Darach Ó Scolaí agus leabhar Éireannach na bliana ar 99 Words for Rain le Manchán Magan, nach maireann.
6. Breis sa bhuiséad do TG4
Tá grá mór léirithe ag pobal na hÉireann do TG4 le fada an lá, ó chláracha faisnéise, clúdach cuimsitheach spóirt agus dár ndóigh, spás sabháilte do na healaíona freisin. Budget 2026 provided TG4 with a 9% increase on their funding, bringing their total spend to over €65 million. Promising to deliver better digital services for news and young people, beidh muid ag súil le torthaí na hinfheistíochta seo
7. Meas mór do Mhanchán Magan
Writer, broadcaster and culture keeper, Manchán Magan open the doors to the Irish language for many in Ireland. The huge outpouring of grief after his death in October of this year illustrated the impact he had on Irish life.
7. Coimisinéir Teanga Ceaptha ó Thuaidh
For the first time in its history, a language commissioner has been appointed in Northern Ireland. Pól Deeds will provide guidance to around 100 public bodies in Northern Ireland on the promotion of the Irish language.
8. More than cúpla focal in Catherine Connolly's campaign
The Irish language played a pivotal role in the Presidential campaign, which blindsided many of those involved in the election. Listen here to Catherine Connolly's first interview with the media since her win on Adhmhaidin, on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.
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9. Oireachtas na Samhna i mBéal Feirste
For the first time in thirty years, Oireachtas na Samhna was held in Belfast. Thousands flocked to Belfast for the biggest Irish language festival of the year and it was hailed as a huge success. Beidh buaicphointí an Oireachtais le feiceáil anocht, Dé Luain, 1 Nollaig ar Nationwide ar 7pm ar RTÉ ONE.
