Cumann Gaelach


An Cumann Gaelach is a type of student society found in many colleges and universities in Ireland. Several of these societies were founded in the early 1900s as part of a wider revival of the language, which saw the establishment of national groups such as Conradh na Gaeilge. Although the societies are not formally linked, they operate in a similar manner through the facilitating of Irish classes, céilís and trips to the Gaeltacht, while many hold events in March during Seachtain na Gaeilge. Some societies also take part in the annual Glór na nGael competition, which gives awards to third level groups for their work in the promotion of the Irish language. Coordinated by Foras na Gaeilge, the competition includes a specific category for colleges and universities. In 2016, the University of Glasgow's Cumann Gaelach Ollscoil Ghlaschú was reputedly the first Cumann Gaelach to be founded outside of Ireland.

Membership

An annual survey of the country’s main Cumainn Ghaelacha and their membership was published from 2003 until 2008 by the Irish language daily newspaper, Lá Nua, until the newspaper's demise. The 2007 edition featured a total of eleven groups, with An Cumann Gaelach, TCD listed as the largest in the state, and An Cumann Gaelach, QUB the largest in Northern Ireland, and An Chuallacht, UCC among the largest in Munster.
University2003-042004-052005-062006-072007-08
Dublin City University-50140160149
Dublin Institute of Technology-3031132188
NUI Galway---360155
NUI Maynooth306070150122
Queen's University Belfast25468588168
St Mary's University College----30
Trinity College, Dublin3305205257001,060
University College Cork-600400520950
University College Dublin-230370312812
University of Limerick--74110100
University of Ulster, Coleraine--606050
Total3851,5361,7552,5923,784