500+ Public and Civil Servants Awarded Professional Irish Qualifications at Landmark National Ceremony

500+ public and civil servants, who completed accredited professional Irish-language training with Gaelchultúr in Autumn 2025, were honoured at a national awards ceremony held at the Convention Centre Dublin on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

The ceremony was organised by Gaelchultúr in partnership with Gréasán Gaeilge na hEarnála Poiblí and with support from the Government of Ireland. More than 80 learners attended the event, which celebrated learners who achieved nationally recognised qualifications through Gaelchultúr’s Certificate in Professional Irish (Levels 2-6) on the National Framework of Qualifications, as well as learners who successfully completed Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) following Gaelchultúr’s Course in Professional Irish.

Gaelchultúr is the world’s largest provider of Irish-language courses and resources and the chosen provider of Irish-language training to the public sector. Each year, around 1,000 public sector employees undertake professional Irish-language training with the organisation to strengthen their ability to deliver services through Irish.

The ceremony was hosted by broadcaster Sinéad Ní Uallacháin and featured addresses from Darren Ó Rodaigh, CEO of Gaelchultúr; Máire Bríd Ní Ghionnáin, Gréasán Gaeilge na hEarnála Poiblí’s Project Manager; Ciara Mac Namara, the Director of Digital Learning at the Institute of Public Administration and Deputy-Chair of the Committee on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and the Irish-speaking Community, Naoise Ó Cearúil TD.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Darren Ó Rodaigh said:

‘With 509 professionals qualifying in a single term, this represents real momentum in strengthening Irish-language capacity across the public service. These learners play a vital role in enhancing the quality of services available to the public through Irish and in ensuring that the language continues to thrive as a living, working language within modern public administration.’

Máire Bríd Ní Ghionnáin added:

‘Collaboration is central to building sustainable Irish-language capacity across the public sector. By working together, we are helping to ensure that services through Irish are practical, professional and accessible to communities across the country.’

Commenting at the event, Ciara Mac Namara said:

‘The IPA are delighted to contribute to building capability for Irish in the public service… I’d like to thank everyone at Gaelchultúr. They are an important partner for the IPA, enabling us to deliver these courses at scale’.

Deputy-Chair of the Committee on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and the Irish-speaking Community, Naoise Ó Cearúil TD, said:

‘High-quality accredited training is essential if public bodies are to meet their statutory obligations and protect the language rights of the public. These learners are making an important contribution to that progress.’

As the first ceremony of its kind that specifically celebrates the achievements of those who have completed accredited workplace Irish-language training for the public sector, the event marks an important milestone. It reflects growing ambition, strong collaboration and a clear commitment to strengthening the use of Irish across public services nationwide.

For further information about professional Irish-language training with Gaelchultúr, please contact fios@gaelchultur.com.