Irish-Language Education Sees Nearly 400% Growth in 25 Years

Irish-language education enrollment in Northern Ireland has surged nearly 400% since 2001, highlighting a need for more post-primary schools and resources to support growing demand.

Significant Increase in Irish-Language Education Enrollment

The number of pupils enrolled in Irish-language education has increased by almost 400% over the past 25 years, according to recent data from the Department of Education (DE). This surge in demand has led to challenges in accommodating all students, with some describing the situation as being "victims of our own success."

In 2001, there were 1,602 pupils in Irish-medium education, rising to 7,811 in 2025. However, Northern Ireland currently has only two Irish-medium post-primary schools, located in Belfast and Dungiven.

'Frustrating' Lack of Irish-Language Post-Primary Schools

While some schools offer Irish-medium streams or units, many parents face difficulties in continuing their children's Irish-language education beyond primary school. Nadia McVeigh from Newry is one such parent. Her sons attend Bunscoil and Naíscoil, including one child with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

"It is frustrating that there are no Irish-language post-primary schools nearby for my eldest son, who is 10 years old," Nadia said. "He really enjoys speaking Irish; we use it every day in the house. There are many studies showing bilingual children can think distinctly in two languages, which is impressive. There definitely should be more options for children to continue speaking Irish in Gaelscoil."

Nadia McVeigh A woman with curly brown and gold hair piled on top of her head. She has gold rimmed glasses, dangly earrings and wears a black vest top. — Mum Nadia McVeigh, from Newry, thinks there should be more options post-primary school

'We Need to See More Secondary Schools'

Áine Ní Eachaín, principal of Naíscoil na Seolta—the first integrated Irish-medium pre-school in east Belfast—highlighted the benefits of bilingualism.

"Research shows that children who speak a second language have more opportunities, better employment prospects," she told NI. "I'm proud to be an Irish speaker and to help the next generation open more doors."

She emphasized the need for additional Irish-language post-primary schools in Northern Ireland to provide parents with more choices and reduce long travel times for students.

"We need more secondary schools and more people wanting to continue education through Irish-medium right up the levels," Ní Eachaín said.

Maria Thomasson from Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta also stressed the demand for more post-primary schools, particularly in Belfast, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and south Down.

"The growth is a testament to the grassroots movement working tirelessly for many years," Thomasson said. "There is a massive cultural and linguistic revival, and job opportunities are growing annually. More people want this for their children. No child should have to start such a fulfilling educational journey in pre-school and then switch to English-medium education after primary school, which unfortunately happens to many."

Maria Thomasson is standing in the middle of the Great Hall at Stormont. She is a young woman, with short, brown curly hair and she is wearing red lipstick and a pink and blue floral pattern dress. She is smiling at the camera. — Maria Thomasson says areas like Belfast, Fermanagh and Tyrone and south Down particularly need more schools

'We've Mushroomed'

The Department of Education is developing an Irish-medium education strategy, expected to be completed by 2027. Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has introduced a bill to compel the department to create a workforce plan for the Irish-medium sector.

Maria Thomasson described the sector's rapid growth:

"As a sector, we have mushroomed and are victims of our own success. The department underestimated the growth and demand for Irish-medium education. There isn't sufficient funding to meet needs, which is really tragic."

The first Irish-medium school, Bunscoil Phobal Feirste in west Belfast, was established over 50 years ago. It began in 1971 with only a few pupils in a single classroom and now has over 450 pupils.

Séamus Ó Tuama, the current head and former pupil, reflected on the school's development:

"When you think it started here in a hut with a handful of kids, and now it's only a small part of the wider story, it's very powerful. Sitting in this office with many children is brilliant. But we are probably approaching capacity ourselves. It's a success story, but official recognition through a strategy and increased resources is needed."

Ó Tuama also highlighted the need for further support, particularly regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision.

"We have Specialist Provision in Mainstream (SPIM) units here and at Coláiste Feirste, but there may now be a need for an Irish-medium specialist school."

Enrollment Statistics and Challenges

Department figures indicate that Irish-medium primary school enrollment grew from 652 pupils in 2001 to 4,731 in 2025, an increase of over 600%. Post-primary numbers also rose significantly, from 342 pupils in 2001 to 2,071 in 2025.

This growth has led to capacity issues at schools such as Coláiste Feirste in Belfast, which serves approximately 1,000 pupils.

Education Minister Paul Givan has introduced a bursary scheme to attract more teachers in maths, science, and technology to Irish-medium schools. The sector has previously highlighted the need for more Irish-language teachers at the secondary level.