A group of concerned parents in Co Offaly believe their children should have the option to attend an Irish medium second-level school.
Offaly is one of 10 counties without an independent Gaelcholáiste, according to IMEASC, a parent-led campaign group.
This means any student who enters education through Irish is unable to complete second-level education through the language.
In the Midlands in particular “there is a void” with counties Westmeath, Laois and Longford also without a Gaelcholáiste, said Niamh Ní Bhroin, who is the Offaly-based spokesperson for IMEASC.
“A lot of the counties without an Irish medium second level school are in the midlands and all the Gaelcholáistí are on the coast,” she said.
There are also no Irish medium post-primary schools in Cavan, Clare, Leitrim, Louth or Roscommon.
IMEASC, which was set up to bring local groups campaigning for Gaelcholáistí together in a unified voice, believes legislation is needed.
“First and foremost, there has to be a policy decision that education is going to be given as an option through the medium of Irish for those who want it,” said Ms Ní Bhroin.
“IMEASC at the moment are trying to drive that policy decision and they’re also trying to get legislation in place to future-proof that choice,” she said.
“Ultimately, it comes down to politicians endorsing it, legislators enacting it, and then providing the opportunity for education through the medium of Irish.”
The group has pointed to the success of Wales, where a strategic approach has been taken to increase the numbers attending Welsh-medium schools.
Wales’s language policy is aimed at achieving one million Welsh speakers by 2050.
Welsh government statistics show that in 2025, 21% of all pupils were being educated in Welsh-medium schools, with a further 5% being educated in dual-language schools.
“What they have done is brilliant and it just goes to show how possible it is to do it, how you can just bring a nation behind you, and they can just embrace their language.
“I think it’s a brilliant marker for where I’d love to see the Irish language at,” Ms Ní Bhroin said.
Looking at Co Offaly as an example, educators say the demand for a Gaelcholáiste is there.
There are three Gaelscoilleana in the county: Gaelscoil an Eiscir Riada in Tullamore, Gaelscoil Na Laochra in Birr and Gaelscoil Éadan Doire.
“There are hundreds of children attending gaelscoileanna here in Offaly,” said Principal of Gaelscoil Na Laochra in Birr Niamh Uí Chléirigh.
Niamh Uí Chléirigh said some students’ Irish school journey will end after primary until third level due to a lack of gaelcholáistí
“If you link out to county Westmeath, there are several Gaelscoils there too.”
“So there’s demand there for a Gaelcholáiste, either in county Offaly or in county Westmeath,” she added.
Gaelscoil na Laochra in Birr was established in 2015, following demand for a new primary school in the town.
A survey was carried out and a Gaelscoil multi-denominational school was chosen.
Forty-nine pupils attend the school.
“There is plenty of Gaelscoil demand in the town. Children attend the Naoira at Nóiníní Beaga first and then they progress on here to us,” she said.
“But that’s where their Irish journey will end for now until third level, because there is no secondary school through Irish in the county,” Ms Uí Chléirigh said.
Educators said many parents in the county are put off the idea of sending their child to the Gaelscoil when there is no option beyond primary education.
“Ever since the school opened and I’ve been here since the beginning, parents have been asking what the options are at second level,” said Deputy Principal of Gaelscoil na Laochra in Birr Ailbhe Ní Churraoin.
“It’s very difficult for parents to commit to sending their child to a Gaelscoil and then have to row back on that decision and send them to an English medium second-level school,” she said.
“At the moment, the closest Gaelcholáiste is in Limerick or Maynooth, which is too far for students to travel.”
For soon to be first year student, Cormac Mac Eoin, a new adventure begins next week when he starts secondary school in Birr.
A former student at Gaelscoil na Laochra, he wanted to continue his education through Irish.
“I’d love to see a new secondary school through Irish here,” he said.
“It’s going to be hard to transition from an Irish school to English.
“I loved the small space here and the great learning environment, but new challenges await now,” he added.
His mother Anna Boch explained that the family moved to Birr because of the Gaelscoil.
“Not having the option feels wrong. I’ve noticed that when you go to an English speaking meánscoil, you lose that use of your language. especially if it’s not being spoken at home.
“At least in that space you continue to have it as a lived language,” she said.
“The only way to learn a language is by using it, otherwise it’s just stifled and it becomes hard work.
“Whereas if you are using it, it’s a matter of course,” she said.
IMEASC is calling on politicians to support their campaign to achieve decent provision of Irish medium education for children in Ireland.
“I know from working on projects in the early 2000s, where schools needed to be built, once the department got the instruction to build, they were built,” said Ms Ní Bhroin.
“Even if the county town had a Gaelcholáiste, wouldn’t it be great to have that resource on your doorstep to provide choice in education.
“It can be done. It is being done in other areas,” she said.
The Department of Education has been asked for a response.