Conradh na Gaeilge [The Gaelic League] is an organisation which was founded in 1893 to promote the Irish language in Ireland and abroad and the collection encompasses material from this period through to 2018 when it was accessioned.
The main body of material comprises records generated by Conradh na Gaeilge headquarters, although it also includes material returned to them by various branches in Ireland and abroad, most notably the London branch.
Following on from several 19th century organisations promoting the Gaelic Revival, Conradh na Gaeilge became the main organisation to spearhead the Irish language revival. Its existence has subsequently coincided and overlapped with the revolutionary years leading up to and including the War of Independence, The Civil War and the foundation of the Irish Free State, the early years of the Republic, the turbulent period known as the Troubles which saw human rights issues and political strife come to the fore in Northern Ireland, through to the emergence of a relatively prosperous state. As such the material gives a unique insight into the last 125 years or more of the history of the island of Ireland, with many of its members prominent and active in a wider context.
Over the course of its existence, staff were actively involved in promoting and observing the use of Irish across all aspects of everyday activities, and as such the collection includes material relating to the running of classes and events including the annual Seachtain na Gaeilge campaign and Oireachtas competitions. It also includes material relating to Irish language publications, to correspondence with businesses, Government departments, and members of the general public, and to research carried out on minority languages elsewhere.
A significant portion of material covers several language rights and fundraising campaigns. In the latter half of the 20th century Conradh na Gaeilge, along with other organisations, was instrumental in community campaigns which led to the creation of Irish language radio and television stations (Raidió na Gaeltachta and TG4 respectively), to the enactment of the Official Languages Act [14 July 2003], and to making Irish an official language of the European Union [1 January 2007]. Campaign material in the collection also includes documents relating to prisoners’ rights and civil rights in Northern Ireland, in particular during the period of the Hunger Strikes [1980-1981].
Tag / Ref: G60
