How Do You Create a Community? The Inspiring Story of Ireland’s First Urban Gaeltacht Comes to the Ulster Museum

Photo caption: Karen Logan, Senior Curator of History (far right) and William Blair, Director of Collections, National Museums NI (far left) pictured with some of the founding members of Belfast’s First Urban Gaeltacht, Gaeltacht Bhóthar Seoighe, and Micheál Mac Giolla Ghunna, Spórtlann na hÉireann Director (third from right).

A group of older people who founded Ireland’s first urban Gaeltacht at Shaws Road in Belfast with two representatives from the Ulster Museum flanking them.
Date published
12.12.2025
Read time
2

In the 1960s a group of pioneering young couples in Belfast took the bold decision to establish Ireland’s first urban Gaeltacht at Shaws Road. Their determination, creativity and community spirit laid the foundations for a revival of the Irish language that continues to this day.

This new exhibition traces that journey and the work they did, from raising families and building homes, to founding schools, community enterprises and cultural activities, while exploring broader questions around language, courage, education and co-operation. Through personal stories, archival documents, and contributions from a new generation of young Irish speakers, the exhibition demonstrates how strong and resilient communities can grow where none existed before.

Speaking at the opening, Karen Logan, Senior Curator of History, National Museums NI, said: 

“This exhibition offers a powerful reflection on how communities are formed and sustained through subsequent generations. The story of Belfast’s first urban Gaeltacht is not only significant in the history of the Irish language, but in the wider story of identity and resilience in Northern Ireland. We are delighted to work with GaelStair and Spórtlann na hÉireann to bring this living history to the public.”

Spórtlann na hÉireann Chair, Pilib Ó Ruanaí, added: 

“When the founders of Gaeltacht Bhóthar Seoighe laid the foundation for a new Irish-language community, they did so with courage, hope and a vision for future generations. This exhibition is a testament to their determination, the families who followed, and the young people who today continue to build and shape a thriving community. We are proud to share these stories, photographs, and archival discoveries with the Ulster Museum.

“The GaelStair project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to preserve the rich history of the Irish language community.”

Four people standing in front of red, black and white exhibition panels mounted onto white walls. Two of them have their hands behind their backs, one has their hands in their pockets and the fourth person has their hands by their side.
Pictured from left to right: Diarmuid Ua Bruadair, who was raised in Gaeltacht Bhóthar Seoighe; Micheál Mac Giolla Ghunna, Spórtlann na hÉireann Director; Karen Logan, Senior Curator of History, National Museums NI; William Blair, Director of Collections, National Museums NI.

Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: 

“We’re pleased to support Spórtlann na hÉireann in preserving and celebrating the heritage of the Irish Language in Belfast.

“Heritage is a great way of bringing people together and this new exhibition which has been curated by involving generations of Irish speakers will help people better understand the heritage of the Irish language in Belfast.”

“The exhibition very much aligns with our ongoing commitment to promoting mutual understanding and dialogue around the complex weave of diversity that makes us who we are,” said National Museums NI Director of Collections, William Blair.  

“We believe that identity and language, in all its diversity, is fundamental to our sense of belonging. We are committed to embracing identity and language as a fundamentally positive expression of our heritage and contemporary culture.” 

As part of the project, young Irish speakers from Coláiste Feirste led an expedition to the roof spaces of the Shaws Road Gaeltacht, uncovering parts of the archive that now form part of the display, bringing founder Brighid Mhic Sheáin’s vision of a “living archive” to life.

‘How Do You Create a Community? The Inspiring Story of Ireland’s First Urban Gaeltacht’ will be open at the Ulster Museum from Friday 12th December.