The Gaeltacht Quarter in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is an area surrounding the Falls Road in the west of the city. A Gaeltacht is an area where the Irish language is widely spoken. The area aims to promote the Irish language and provide tourist attractions associated with it, as well as Irish culture.[1]
Education is a mainstay of the Quarter and has always been highly valued. Throughout the Quarter many Irish Medium institutions can be found; Gaelscoil an Lonnáin, Gaelscoil na bhFál, Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh and Coláiste Feirste. Third level institutions in the area are Coláiste Ollscoile Muire which has been at the forefront of Irish medium teacher training.
Proposals for a Gaeltacht Quarter began in 2002, as a recommendation of the Joint West Belfast/Greater Shankill Task Force. The plan was then adopted by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and Belfast City Council.[2]
Key sites and events in the quarter include the An Chúlturlann arts centre, Conway Mill and the Féile an Phobail.