English First/Official language?

Irish (Gaeilge) is recognised as the first official language of the Republic of Ireland, but is mainly spoken in the Gaeltacht areas (meaning Irish speaking region) which are mainly secluded areas on the west coast. The major one of them is Connemara, in the County of Galway, including the Aran Islands. Three Irish principal dialects are Ulster in the north, Munster in the south and Connacht in the central and western region of the island. The Irish belongs to the Gaelic division of Celtic languages.

The other official language, which is more commonly used, is English.  

 

Around 30% of the 3.5m population is able to speak Irish, and 5% use it regularly.

However, English is almost totally dominant in social, economic and cultural contexts.

English came to Ireland in the 17th Century where settlers were forbidden from talking to natives. Because the English were in power their language became powerful and since Irish speakers were usually poor their language was then seen as backwards. Some English is based on Irish language forms though.