This is by far the career sector where Irish Language skills are most in demand. It includes television, radio, newspapers and digital media. Over 750 people are employed in Irish language media fields from journalism to broadcasting.

A career in Irish Media

Download 'A career in Irish Media' [pdf file]

PRINT MEDIA

Newspapers
  • Foinse - the main Irish language newspaper. It’s distributed free with the Irish Independent. It also has a website.
  • Gaelscéal - an online news service funded by Foras na Gaeilge.
  • Gaelport.com - includes a daily news service (As na Nuachtáin) listing Irish language articles published in the national and regional press.
  • Articles in the Irish language are published in the national newspapers, i.e. The Irish Times and The Irish News, as well as in local papers, providing opportunities to submit work with the potential to get published.

Magazines - There are several magazine titles available in Irish such as Comhar, Feasta, An tUltach, An Sagart and An Timire. 

As well as traditional print and broadcast media the sector has also developed a significant online presence:

  • E-Newspapers
  • Online news channels
  • Online radio stations
  • Online magazines and e-zines include Beo, Saol, Gaelport and Nós. Some also offer websites and blogs enabling readers to access extra news coverage and other content on their mobile devices.

BROADCAST MEDIA

There are job opportunities in broadcasting for bilingual researchers, producers and journalists as well as for IT and other technical specialists.

Radio – some radio stations broadcast solely through Irish while others broadcast certain programmes in Irish.

  • Raidió na Gaeltachta broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week and also streams online.
  • Anocht FM has developed a contemporary broadcasting service with programming aimed at younger people.
  • BBC Northern Ireland broadcasts a variety of programmes through Irish, (Blas, SRL and several music programmes).
  • Raidió na Life broadcasts through Irish on a local level to the greater Dublin area.
  • Raidió Rí-Rá - is Irish language chart music online radio station.

Local radio stations regularly broadcast Irish language programmes. New commercial and community radio stations operating in the Republic of Ireland are required to include Irish language content in their schedules. See Cogar.ie.

Television - The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland provides funding for Irish language programming on television and radio under the broadcast funding scheme, Sound and Vision.

  • TG4 is the Irish language broadcaster. Based in the Connemara Gaeltacht, it provides a wide range of programming including sports, travel, music, fashion and children’s programmes. Its regular soap opera, Ros na Rún, has made its mark as has the channel’s distinctive news service, Nuacht TG4.
  • TG4 commissions external, independent production companies to make many of its programmes. Some of these companies concentrate solely on Irish language productions, while others make both Irish language and English language programmes.
  • RTÉ broadcasts daily News Nuacht and also commissions programmes in Irish.
  • Screenwest.ie is a resource for production companies in the West of Ireland, providing guidance, information and useful contacts.

Most Irish independent producers are members of Screen Producers Ireland.

Filmmaker and native Irish speaker Manchán Magan made a documentary entitled No Béarla (No English) in which he travelled through Ireland speaking only Irish, even when people demanded he switches to English. Shopkeepers told him to get lost, officials refused to help him, people on the street ignored him, but he kept at it and found willing speakers here and there. 

Watch it here.

DIGITAL MEDIA

Most Irish language print media is now available online:

  • Tuairisc.ie - a news service with a focus on both national and international news.
  • PEIG.ie - an information hub with details of Irish language businesses, classes, events, and job vacancies among others.
  • Meon Eile - a multimedia web platform with regular video reports and stories on a wide range of topics, from current affairs and sport to music, cultural events and Irish language arts.
  • BBC Northern Ireland has a website with links to Irish Language articles, videos, interviews, podcasts and more.

Social media 

Irish language newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations all have a social media presence and connect with listeners and readers through Facebook, Twitter and other social media tools.

Did you know ...
An Irish language version of both Facebook and Twitter is available. There are various Irish language groups on Facebook, including Gaeilge Amháin which has over 8,000 members.

Blogs - Popular Irish language blogs include:



What are the main occupations where Irish may be used?

What types of courses might help?

Undergraduate Courses:

Where to go for further Information

  • Fiontar (Irish for venture) is an interdisciplinary school established at DCU in 1993 to link the Irish language with contemporary finance, computing and enterprise, through courses taught in Irish.
  • Cogar.ie.