Percentage of population who can speak Irish (1841–2022)
Use the Play button and slider below the chart to see the animated decline over 180+ years
About this Historical Map
This interactive visualization shows the dramatic decline of Irish language speakers across Ireland from 1841 to 2022 - spanning over 180 years of linguistic change.
Key Features:
Historical Timeline: From 1841 (when most of Ireland spoke Irish) to 2022
Animation Controls: Click "Play" to see the decline animated over time
Interactive Slider: Drag the slider below the chart to jump to any year
Color Coding: Dark red = high percentage, light pink = low percentage
Hover Details: Hover over bars to see exact percentages and counties
Historical Context:
1841: Peak period - most counties had 80-95% Irish speakers
1881: Post-Famine decline begins to show significantly
1926: After independence, continued decline due to urbanization
1961-1991: Gradual stabilization but still declining
2011-2022: Modern census data showing current state