An Cumann Gaelach (English: "Irish Language Society") is a type of student society found in many colleges and universities in Ireland. Several of these societies were founded in the early 1900s as part of a wider revival of the Irish-language, which saw the establishment of national groups such as Conradh na Gaeilge (English: Gaelic League).
Although the societies are not formally linked, they operate in a similar manner through the facilitating of Irish classes (often free), céilís and trips to the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking areas), while many hold events in March during Seachtain na Gaeilge (English: Irish Language Week).
Some societies also take part in the annual Glór na nGael (English: Voice of the Gael) competition, which gives awards to third-level groups for their work in the promotion of the Irish language. Coordinated by Foras na Gaeilge, the competition includes a specific category (Comórtas na gCumann Gaelacha) for colleges and universities. The University of Glasgow's Cumann Gaelach Ollscoil Ghlaschú was founded in 2016.
Membership An annual survey of the country’s main Cumainn Ghaelacha (plural form) and their membership was published from 2003 until 2008 by the Irish language daily newspaper, Lá Nua, until the newspaper's demise. The 2007 edition featured a total of eleven groups,Lá Nua: "'Glúin TG4' ag teacht in aibíocht ar champais ollscoile na hÉireann"; Monday 10 December 2007 with An Cumann Gaelach, TCD (Trinity College Dublin) listed as the largest in the state, and An Cumann Gaelach, QUB (Queen's University Belfast) the largest in Northern Ireland, and An Chuallacht, UCC (University College Cork) among the largest in Munster.
University 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 Dublin City University - 50 140 160 149 Dublin Institute of Technology - 30 31 132 188 NUI Galway - - - 360 155 NUI Maynooth 30 60 70 150 122 Queen's University Belfast 25 46 85 88 168 St Mary's University College - - - - 30 Trinity College, Dublin 330 520 525 700 1,060 University College Cork - 600 400 520 950 University College Dublin - 230 370 312 812 University of Limerick - - 74 110 100 University of Ulster, Coleraine - - 60 60 50 Total 385 1,536 1,755 2,592 3,784
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