In a time when rural depopulation and cultural erosion continue to pose challenges to traditional communities, Údarás na Gaeltachta stands as a beacon of sustainable development, innovation, and heritage preservation.
Established with the core mission of promoting economic and social development in the Gaeltacht — the Irish-speaking regions of Ireland — Údarás na Gaeltachta has, over the decades, transformed the economic and cultural landscape of these areas. The agency’s 2024 End of Year Statement revealed not just a record-breaking year, but a testament to long-standing dedication in making the Gaeltacht regions places where people can live, work, and thrive, without sacrificing their language or cultural identity.
A record year for Gaeltacht industry
Údarás na Gaeltachta’s 2024 figures tell a compelling story. With total sales of €1.098 billion — including €658 million in exports — client companies have achieved the highest turnover in the organisation’s history. This 4.4% increase over 2023 represents a remarkable 28% growth compared to a decade ago in 2014. These statistics are not just economic markers; they demonstrate a thriving ecosystem of businesses choosing to locate and grow in regions once thought to be economically vulnerable.
Employment continues to trend upward, with a net growth of 217 jobs bringing total employment within client companies to 9,743. Even more promising, 200 job vacancies remain open — clear indicators of ongoing expansion and opportunity. Employment increased in five of the seven Gaeltacht counties, reflecting a continuing post-pandemic revitalisation and reversing decades of population decline and economic stagnation that once drove people to larger towns, cities, or even abroad.
Economic development rooted in culture
Údarás na Gaeltachta’s success lies not only in its economic outcomes but also in its unique ability to marry industry with cultural preservation. Central to its ethos is the support of the Irish language, not as a token of tradition but as a living, working language of the community and the economy.
In 2024, 28 active Language Plans operated with the support of a €3.9 million annual budget, directly employing 36 individuals. This work is more than symbolic — it creates an environment in which the language is heard in offices, factories, and boardrooms, affirming that the Gaeltacht is not just a place to visit, but a viable place to build a future. Additional funding of €3.22 million has been allocated to expand these supports in 2025 through two new three-year programmes, continuing this momentum.
Such initiatives help ensure that future generations can pursue education, careers, and entrepreneurship in their native regions, in their native language.
Investing in communities and infrastructure
Beyond business and language, Údarás na Gaeltachta is deeply invested in community development. Over €7 million was committed in 2024 to community projects, with €3.88 million in operational grants supporting 33 local organisations. Social Employment Schemes engaged 953 participants, and a €210,000 fund supported social enterprise projects, ensuring that the most rural and isolated parts of the Gaeltacht are not left behind.
Recognising the increasing importance of digital connectivity, Údarás continues to develop its gteic network — a system of modern digital hubs across the Gaeltacht. In 2024, 29 hubs were operational with four more under development. These spaces, housing over 465 employees across 869 workspaces, represent a bold reimagining of what the modern Gaeltacht can offer: a digitally connected, globally aware workforce grounded in local values and language.
Supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship and education remain pillars of Údarás’ work. In 2024, the organisation launched CUMASÚ, a trailblazing initiative supporting Gaeltacht women embarking on business ventures. With 41 women currently enrolled and an ambition to reach 150 participants over three years, this programme underscores Údarás' commitment to inclusivity and innovation.
Complementing this is the GAIRM graduate programme, run in partnership with the Atlantic Technological University (ATU ). This two-year placement initiative provides practical business training and culminates in a Level 9 postgraduate Diploma, equipping the next generation of Gaeltacht leaders with the tools to drive sustainable growth.
Tourism and culture hand in hand
Tourism remains a crucial economic driver for the Gaeltacht, but Údarás’ approach ensures that development respects and enriches cultural identity. In 2024, €2.41 million was approved for an upgraded visitor centre on Árainn (Inis Mór ), and a new emigrant experience centre is being developed in Carna, County Galway. These investments not only boost local economies but provide platforms to share the rich tapestry of Gaeltacht heritage with the wider world.
A partnership with the Great Lighthouses of Ireland initiative further promotes sustainable coastal tourism, blending environmental responsibility with cultural storytelling.
Looking ahead
As CEO Tomás Ó Síocháin noted in presenting the End of Year Statement, 2024 was not without its challenges. The devastation caused by Storm Éowyn in 2025 served as a reminder of the vulnerability of rural communities to extreme weather and the urgent need for resilient infrastructure. Yet, even amid adversity, the Gaeltacht — through the support of Údarás — continues to flourish.
Údarás na Gaeltachta’s work provides a powerful blueprint for rural regeneration — not only in Ireland but globally. It proves that with thoughtful investment, deep respect for cultural heritage, and a forward-thinking approach to technology and entrepreneurship, rural regions can be dynamic, self-sustaining places where people are proud to live and work.
As Ireland looks to a future increasingly shaped by globalisation and digital transformation, the Gaeltacht — thanks to the enduring work of Údarás na Gaeltachta — stands ready not just to survive, but to lead.
