Habitual Irish Speakers in the Gaeltacht (2011 Census micro-level data)

For those interested in the sociolinguistic situation of levels of Irish-speaking in the Gaeltacht at the micro level, I have analysed language usage data from the 2011 census. The CSO's mapping tool allows Small Area Population Statistics data to be viewed here:

http://census.cso.ie/sapmap/

(Below I've listed the top dozen SAPS according to % of habitual speakers)

Previously the smallest unit of analysis was the Electoral Division, but since the 2011 Census data came out SAPS can be viewed (these small geographic areas have a range of 100-400 population): these are typically individual townlands, parts of villages, or individual islands...

So, what proportion of residents speak Irish every day outside the education system in the Gaeltacht? In other words, habitual native speakers in most cases... Those who said they speak Irish outside the education system weekly or less frequently are not included...

Keep in mind that the national average for habitual Irish-speaking was 1.8% (approximately 77,000 people) and for the 100,000 or so people who live within the Gaeltacht boundaries, the figure was approx. 25% (Galway city's suburbs distort the overall picture).

The figures below show that although the Gaeltacht continues to decline in most areas, the proportion of daily speakers is many times higher than the national average, especially in the strongest districts.

Habitual Irish-speaking, 2011 Census
(those who speak Irish every day outside of the education system as a percentage of the total population in each SAP)

Glaise Chú, Mín an Chladaigh Lower, Co. Dhún na nGall – 83.3%

Inis Oírr, Co. na Gaillimhe – 82.8%

Machaire Uí Rabhartaigh & Inis Bó Finne, Co. Dhún na nGall – 82%

Mín Lárach, Co. Dhún na nGall – 81.5%

Baile Uí Chorráin, Cill Chuáin, Co. Chiarraí – 80.8%

Lochán Beag, Indreabhán, Co. na Gaillimhe – 80%

Leitir Caladh, Leitir Móir, Co. na Gaillimhe – 78%

Iarthar Rann na Feirste, Co. Dhún na nGall – 76.7%

Doirí Beaga, Co. Dhún na nGall – 74.8%

Cnoc Fola, Co. Dhún na nGall – 73.8%

Oileán Mhaínis, Co. na Gaillimhe – 73%

Oileán Thoraí, Co. Dhún na nGall – 72.8%


Now you know where to go for your next Gaeltacht visit

They don't say how many inhabitants there are in these areas.
I know the places that are in Donegal and there aren't many people there.
I mean, in a place where there are only 10 inhabitants, it's easy to be almost 100% Irish speaking, but it doesn't mean it's encouraging for the future of the language...

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Is fearr Gaeilg na Gaeltaċta ná Gaeilg ar biṫ eile
Agus is í Gaeilg Ġaoṫ Doḃair is binne

As stated, all the SAPS range in population from around 100 to 400. The average population of the SAPS in the top 12 was around 200... I have also done analyses in the past on Electoral Divisions, which are anywhere from 400 to 1,500 people or so...in those cases the % of habitual speakers for the strongest areas was 62-71%...

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Is foghlaimeoir mé. Is fearr liom Gaeilge Chonnacht. Corrections always appreciated.