What is a Gaeltacht?
Gaeltacht is the Irish language word for an Irish/Gaelic speaking region. The Gaeltacht areas are small rural pockets of Ireland where the Irish language (Gaeilge) is people's first language. In the schools in these areas, Gaeltacht schools, Irish is the language of learning for all the subjects studied.
Many of the Gaeltacht regions in Ireland are located on the western seaboard where Irish culture and traditions remain very strong.
Gúgán Barra (Gougane Barra) is part of a Gaeltacht, Múscraí (Muskerry), which is made up of the villages of Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh (Ballingeary), Cúil Aodha (Coolea), Bhaile Mhúirne (Ballyvourney) and Cill na Martyra (Kilnamartyra), all situated to the west of Macroom town.
It was here, in 1903, that the Irish teaching college Coláiste na Mumhan was formed to teach adults the Irish language.