Irish language outside Ireland

The Irish language originated in Ireland and was historically the dominant language of the Irish people. Since the Early Middle Ages, it spread to a number of other countries; in Scotland and on the Isle of Man it gave rise to Scottish Gaelic and Manx, respectively. Irish was the language that a large number of emigrants took with them from the 17th century (when large-scale emigration, forced or otherwise, became noticeable) to the 19th century, when emigration reached new levels.

By the 19th century, English became dominant in Ireland, but Irish speakers had already shown their ability to deal with modern political and social changes through their own language at a time when emigration was strongest.

The Irish diaspora mainly settled in English-speaking countries, chiefly Britain and North America (US and Canada). In some instances the Irish language was retained for several generations. Argentina was the only non-English-speaking country to which the Irish went in large numbers, and those emigrants came in the 19th century from areas where Irish was already in retreat.

An interest in the language has persisted among a minority in the diaspora countries, and even in countries where there was never a significant Irish presence. This has been shown in the founding of language classes (including some at tertiary level), in the use of the Internet, and in contributions to journalism and literature.