Ireland Launches Comprehensive Monolingual Irish Dictionary for Linguistic Autonomy

The Republic of Ireland marked a significant cultural and linguistic milestone on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, with the official presentation of An Foclóir Nua Gaeilge, The New Irish Dictionary, by President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly. This publication establishes the first comprehensive monolingual resource for the Irish language, allowing speakers and students to understand word meanings directly in Irish, thereby bypassing the historical requirement of using English as an interpretive intermediary. The project originated in September 2022, involving key editorial figures including Derek Ó Briain, a Dublin City University graduate, and Eoghan Mac Mathúna, a University College Dublin graduate.

The initial digital release, made available without charge on Focloir.ie, immediately offered users 20,000 entries encompassing 40,000 distinct word senses. The primary compilation phase is scheduled for completion by August 2027, at which point the dictionary is projected to contain 30,000 entries and 80,000 senses. President Connolly stated that a contemporary monolingual dictionary defines the language on its own terms, positioning Irish speakers on par with other global language communities, viewing this development as critical for the vitality of a modern language.

Seán Ó Coinn, CEO of Foras na Gaeilge, the public body promoting the language across the island, emphasized the paradigm shift this resource introduces. He noted that the tool empowers users to inquire about meaning in Irish, rather than being reliant on English translations, a process that historically shaped understanding through an English lens. Foras na Gaeilge, established on December 2, 1999, is responsible for promotion, terminology development, and dictionary creation, operating on an all-island basis with headquarters in Dublin and Belfast. The dictionary’s scope reflects the language's contemporary reality by integrating definitions for foreign vocabulary commonly absorbed into Irish, such as cappuccino, baguette, and ad hoc.

Beyond definitions, the resource furnishes detailed guidance on grammar intricacies, usage notes, and pronunciation, addressing needs beyond previous dictionaries. This comprehensive approach is designed to support those less confident in the language by offering deeper linguistic insight rather than mere translation. Funding for this lexicographical endeavor is primarily sourced from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in Dublin, alongside the Department for Communities in Belfast, with supplementary financial backing from the Department of Education in Dublin. President Connolly also noted that such Irish-language resources are now considered a model of best practice for other minoritized languages globally.

Monolingual dictionaries are recognized for providing richer contextual information, including multiple senses and extensive usage examples, which aids language acquisition by forcing engagement with the target language as an independent entity. This contrasts with the brevity of bilingual dictionaries, which offer direct translation but can impede deep linguistic understanding. The launch of An Foclóir Nua Gaeilge signals a commitment to linguistic self-determination, ensuring the Irish language is defined from within its own community.