Gaeltacht Quarter

Belfast, United Kingdom

The Gaeltacht Quarter in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is an area surrounding the Falls Road in the west of the city. A Gaeltacht is an area where the Irish language is widely spoken. The area aims to promote the Irish language and provide tourist attractions associated with it, as well as Irish culture. Throughout the Quarter many Irish Medium institutions can be found; Gaelscoil an Lonnáin, Gaelscoil na bhFál, Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh and Coláiste Feirste. Third level institutions in the area are Coláiste Ollscoile Naomh Muire. Proposals for a Gaeltacht Quarter began in 2002, as a recommendation of the Joint West Belfast/Greater Shankill Task Force. The plan was then adopted by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and Belfast City Council. Key sites and events in the quarter include Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, An Ceathrú Póilí, Conway Mill and Féile an Phobail.