About

Free exhibition that explores the origins of Belfast's first urban Gaeltacht and the community that grew around it.

In the 1960s, a group of pioneering young couples took the bold decision to set up Ireland’s first urban Gaeltacht in Belfast. This created the foundations for one of the most remarkable linguistic and cultural revivals in modern European history. Over the past hundred years, many efforts have been made to revive the Irish language as the daily language outside the traditional Gaeltacht areas. Few have had a lasting impact on a par with the creation of Gaeltacht Bhóthar Seoighe.

Their story shows the resourcefulness of Irish speakers, but also a roadmap in community building. This exhibition looks at how the group built homes, raised children, founded schools, and established community enterprises. It explores how new communities are formed where none existed, what binds them together, and what is needed for them to grow and flourish. The narrative of the contemporary Irish language revival is above all else a love story, reaffirming the truth of the old Irish proverb; Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine – People live in the shelter of each other.

Ticket not required. Exhibition open during museum opening hours. Admission free.