GaelStair

Bóthar Seoighe

The Story of Belfast's First Urban Gaeltacht

For more than a century, people across Ireland have worked to preserve and revive the Irish language. Few initiatives have left a legacy as enduring as Gaeltacht Bhóthar Seoighe, Belfast's first urban Gaeltacht.

This exhibition explores the remarkable origins of the community and the vision of those who believed the Irish language could flourish in the heart of a modern city. Through determination, collective action and a shared sense of purpose, families came together to build not only homes, but a thriving Irish-speaking community.

From establishing schools and raising children through Irish to creating cultural institutions and community networks, the residents of Bóthar Seoighe laid the foundations for a movement that continues to shape Belfast today.

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A Living Legacy

Discover the story of how a small group of language activists transformed an idea into a lasting community, helping to secure the future of the Irish language for generations to come.

Through photographs, artefacts and personal stories, this exhibition celebrates the people who built a neighbourhood, nurtured a culture and created one of the most significant chapters in the modern history of the Irish language.

A story of language, identity, resilience and community in the heart of Belfast.

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For further information and related activities, visit the Ulster Museum website.