The march, called CEARTA, was the first major nationwide demonstration for the language in over a decade. Buses brought participants from across the country to assemble at Parnell Square at midday, before beginning their march through the city.

Attendees included Irish-language groups, Gaeltacht organisations, teachers, students, artists, musicians, parents and children. A strong presence also came from BÁNÚ, a campaign group highlighting the urgent need for housing in Gaeltacht regions.

Adhna Ní Bhraonáin, founder of BÁNÚ, spoke passionately about the crisis:

“I grew up in the heart of the Conamara Gaeltacht, where Irish shaped every part of life – at home, in school, in music and sport. That cultural richness is now under serious threat. Young people cannot remain in their communities because of the lack of housing. Without homes, communities disappear – and without Gaeltacht communities, the language itself cannot survive.”

Campaigners from Northern Ireland also joined the march, including members of An Dream Dearg, a group pushing for stronger language rights. Its co-founder, Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, now President of Conradh na Gaeilge, criticised delays in implementing commitments made under the Language and Identity Act:

“Rights promised years ago are only filtering through at a snail’s pace,” he said.

The protest also drew attention to growing concerns about education, with one in twenty secondary pupils now exempt from studying Irish, and demand for Irish-medium schools continuing to outstrip provision.

Responding today, Minister for the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary pointed to funding increases in recent years and pledged to seek more in Budget 2026. But Conradh na Gaeilge’s General Secretary, Julian de Spáinn, warned:

“Only 0.1% of State spending goes towards the language and the Gaeltacht. We need nothing less than a radical increase.”