From:Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has announced €471,500 for the Fulbright Commission for the teaching of the Irish language in American universities in the academic year 2025-2026. Vital work for the Irish language is underway in the United States thanks to the Fulbright programme, which has been funded by the Department since 2006. Every year, hundreds of university students in America are given the opportunity to learn Irish and participate in Irish language events as a result of this funding. Irish language teachers (FLTAs) travel to America to teach Irish and participate in the Irish language communities on the various university campuses. Some American students also have the opportunity to visit the Gaeltacht.

The FLTA programme provides invaluable professional experience for Irish language teachers. It enables them to refine their teaching methodologies and return to Ireland with enhanced skills. This strengthens the educational infrastructure in the Gaeltacht, as these teachers bring a new approach to teaching the language back to their own community. Through their work in American universities, FLTAs create lasting relationships with students, the institution in which they are based and the wider academic community. This helps to create a network for the Irish language worldwide, creating opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration that will benefit the Gaeltacht and Ireland as a whole.

Announcing the funding today, Minister Calleary said:

"The work of the Fulbright Commission in fostering educational and cultural exchange between Ireland and the United States is invaluable. Under this scheme, Irish Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs) are given opportunities to teach Irish at universities across the United States, significantly raising the international profile of the language. This is in line with the Department’s mission to promote the use of the Irish language, both at home and abroad. By nurturing a new generation of Irish language learners, FLTAs contribute to the vitality and growth of the language on a global scale.”

Welcoming the funding announcement, Fulbright Ireland Director, Dr Dara FitzGerald, said:

“I am extremely proud that the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht has approved funding of €471,500 to enable us to continue our Irish Language Teaching Programme in the United States in 2026. This funding will not only support students in America and Irish language teachers, it will also ensure that the Irish language thrives in academic institutions across the US. By establishing a strong foundation for the teaching of Irish in American universities, we are preserving and promoting our linguistic heritage for future generations."

The Fulbright Commission has provided a full report on the 2024/25 academic year, outlining its activities for that year. The report states the following: