“Goodbye!” in Irish

Whether you’re looking to use your Irish in real life or simply want to explore the most traditional parts of Ireland, a visit to a Gaeltacht should be on your agenda. To help you out, here’s our list of 10 must-see places in the Gaeltacht, each unique in its own way. To make it simpler, we’ve grouped them by counties.

Observed around the world, St. Patrick’s Day is a chance for everyone to embrace the Irish culture, regardless of where they are or what their heritage might be. It’s a day to don yourself in green, enjoy a parade if your town has one, and grab a pint of Guinness, if you’re so inclined. However, these common activities aren’t the only tactics to “be a little Irish” on March 17th. Instead, there are plenty of opportunities to authentically delve deeper into the Irish culture. Perhaps one of the best ways to partake in the tradition of St. Patrick’s Day, and honor the Irish, is to learn a little more about them.

Finally, another part of the Aran Islands’ identity comes from being a Gaeltacht. Although Oliver Cromwell did arrive on the islands during his conquest of Ireland in the mid-17th century and set up a defensive fort there, he eventually left with his troops. The population of the islands increased afterwards, as some people from the mainland moved to the Aran Islands to escape the reach of the English. Because inhabitants were ultimately less harried by the colonizers, the Irish language was able to persist. Today, Irish remains the first language of the islands.