Conamara Theas

Conamara Theas, which is Irish for South Connemara, is however today the western Irish-speaking regions County Galway. There are around 7,000 people living in the area (excluding the Aran islands). Between 60% and 80% of residents are native Irish speakers.

It is the part of the Gaeltacht that is west of Cois Fharraige. It is a predominantly Irish-speaking area. The Conamara Theas variety of Connacht Irish is different from that of Cois Fharraige.

Conamara Theas covers the area from Ros a Mhil, Casla, Ceathru Rua, Ceantar na nOileán, Camus, Rosmuc and The Iorras Aithneach peninsula.

The ferryport for the Aran Islands is in Ros a Mhil.

Casla is the location of the national Irish language station RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta.

Ceathru Rua is the biggest village in the area and the location of the Irish language newspaper Foinse. There is also the Department of Spoken Irish at the National University of Ireland, Galway which has a centre in the village offering third-level courses to both students and overseas learners.

The NUIG also has a second educational centre in Carna.

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