Although still spoken by many, efforts to strengthen it are continuously growing. Just one example of this is Ireland’s National plan to ensure the use of the Irish language in the public sector. The plan will ensure that at least “20% of public sector recruits will be proficient in Irish by the end of 2030” and “all public services in the Gaeltacht will be provided through Irish”. That’s where the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media come in - working hard to boost the language in all areas of public life, especially in the Gaeltachtaí.
Although only a short trip, we were warmly welcomed by our hosts, Eoin and Aodhán. In the meeting, we shared our experience helping support provisioning of resources for the Welsh language using VR, and the potential to create a virtual world, a ‘digital Gaeltacht’ where learners could practise Irish Gaelic in real-life scenarios—perhaps strolling through a virtual Irish village and using the language in real-life settings.
Eoin and Aodhán both tried out Aberwla on the headsets, to see what we were able to achieve through a bespoke VR application.
The proposed VR programme is not just a learning tool, but a way to preserve and promote Irish heritage, traditions and culture.
Here's to more immersive learning, cultural exchange, and keeping the spirit of Gaeilge alive in the digital age!
We’ll keep you posted on the next steps of this exciting journey! Slán go fóill! (Goodbye for now!)
Have you ever dreamed of learning Gaelic or immersing yourself in Irish culture? Or are you ready to chat about VR Language Learning? Why not get in touch here.
