Book Launch: The Irish-Language Community: Population, Institutions, Status, a Social Contract, and a New Paradigm by Pádraig Breandán Ó Laighin

Cló na nGael and the author extend an invitation to you to visit the Irish Writers Centre, 19 Parnell Street, Dublin 1, on Wednesday 29 April 2026, between 6.00pm and 8.00pm, for the launch by

Dr Emer Ní Bhrádaigh

Ollamh Cúnta le Fiontraíocht | Assistant Professor in Entrepreneurship

Fiontar agus Scoil na Gaeilge

Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath | Dublin City University

of an important new book by Pádraig Breandán Ó Laighin entitled The Irish-Language Community: Population, Institutions, Status, a Social Contract, and a New Paradigm. Breandán Ó Caollaí will chair the event.

This book offers a bold and wide-ranging exploration of the Irish language and its place in modern Ireland. Drawing on history, sociology, politics, and law, it challenges long-held assumptions to propose a fresh vision: the Irish language as a vital core of national life rather than a peripheral heritage concern.

Major sections include a reinterpretation of the legal standing of the Irish language North and South, a detailed assessment of the role of the language in the achievement of national sovereignty, proposals for administrative and institutional change, and a proactive National Planning Statement for housing in Gaeltacht areas.

—————

Ba mhór ag Cló na nGael agus ag an údar tú a bheith i láthair in Áras Scríbhneoirí na hÉireann, 19 Cearnóg Parnell, Baile Átha Cliath 1, ar an 29 Aibreán 2026, idir 6.00pm agus 8.00pm, nuair a sheolfaidh

Dr Emer Ní Bhrádaigh

Ollamh Cúnta le Fiontraíocht

Fiontar agus Scoil na Gaeilge

Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath

mórshaothar nua le Pádraig Breandán Ó Laighin dar teideal The Irish-Language Community: Population, Institutions, Status, a Social Contract, and a New Paradigm. Déanfaidh Breandán Ó Caollaí cathaoirleacht ar an imeacht.

Cuireann an leabhar seo iniúchadh misniúil agus fadréimseach ar fáil ar an nGaeilge agus ar a háit in Éirinn na linne seo. Ag tarraingt ar an stair, ar an tsocheolaíocht, ar an bpolaitíocht, agus ar an dlí, tugann sé aghaidh ar mhíthuiscintí seanbhunaithe chun fís nua a chur chun cinn: an Ghaeilge mar chroílár an tsaoil náisiúnta seachas mar ábhar inspéise ó thaobh na hoidhreachta forimeallaí de.

I measc na mórchodanna ann tá léiriú nua ar sheasamh dlíthiúil na Gaeilge Thuaidh agus Theas, measúnú mionsonraithe ar ról na teanga i mbaint amach flaithis náisiúnta, tograí le haghaidh athrú riaracháin agus institiúideach, agus Ráiteas Pleanála Náisiúnta réamhghníomhach do thithíocht i gceantair Ghaeltachta.

Dr Pádraig Ó Laighin is Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in the School of Sociology, College of Social Sciences and Law, University College Dublin.

Is Comhalta Sinsearach Taighde Taca é an Dr Pádraig Ó Laighin i Scoil na Socheolaíochta, Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí, An Coláiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath.

Published by | arna fhoilsiú ag Cló na nGael, www.clonangael.ie

Hardback | Cóip crua | ISBN 978-1-8383544-2-8 | €30 | xvi + 448pp | Language: English

Both the Irish and English languages will be used during this event | Bainfear úsáid as an mBéarla agus as an nGaeilge araon le linn na hócáide seo.