The Gaeltacht - An Rinn, Ring

The Ring Gaeltacht overlooks the Dungarvan Harbour, approximately 6 miles from the Dungarvan itself.

The beautiful peninsula west of Dungarvan is home to a language which is found in pockets of rural Ireland, mainly along the south and west coast.

The generic name for such areas is The Gaeltacht. This name is given to parts of Ireland where the Irish language (Gaelic) is the principal, everyday language in the community. The ethos of the Gaeltacht is "distinct and different" because of the living language.

Ceann de na gaeltachtaí is lú in Eire is ea An Rinn. Tá sé lan le cheoil agus tradisiún, go mor sna tithe taibhrne. Mar tá craic, ceol agus an fíor cultúr gaelach á teastail, seo é and ait duit.

To visit the Gaeltacht is to experience a unique culture while enjoying the many crafts, restaurants, pubs and outdoor facilities which the area has to offer. The love of Irish music, song, dance and language is infectuous in Ring.

Accommodation in the Gaeltacht

The signposting, shop names and the business and pleasures of the community are conducted through Gaelic, a language which came with the migration westwards of the Celts from central Europe over 3,000 years ago.

For walkers and bird watchers Ring and Old Parish are hideaways of clifftop trails, unspoiled beaches, rolling hills and leafy glens.

Further out on the penninsula is Helvick Head, famous for its angling, attractive scenery and several sandy beaches.

Criostal na Rinne is hand-cut in Baile na nGall.

Ring College Irish Language Primary, Boarding and Summer Schools

Other gaeltacht areas are located mainly along the Western and South-Western seaboards. They include coastal and inland areas of Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry and Cork and a small part of County Meath.

The Gaeltacht off-shore islands are Tory and Aranmore (Donegal), Achill (Mayo), the three Aran Islands of Inis Mór, Inis Meain and Inis Oirr (Galway) and Cape Clear Island (Cork).