Status of the Irish language Northern Ireland, including Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, learned Irish while in prison, a development known as the "Jailtacht". Although the language was taught in Catholic secondary schools (especially by the Christian Brothers), it was not taught at all in the controlled sector, which is mostly attended by Protestant pupils. Irish-medium schools, however, known as "Gaelscoileanna", were founded in Belfast and Derry and the Gaelscoileanna movement has since expanded to across much of Northern Ireland similar to its expansion in the Republic of Ireland. An Irish-language newspaper called "Lá" (later called "Lá Nua") produced by The Andersonstown News Group (later
Elections in Northern Ireland at which nationalists failed to gain any seats. 1959 The nationalist vote fell dramatically (it would take until February 1974 to regain the heights it had reached in 1955), and Sinn Féin failed to hold the seats they had won in 1955. Both their MPs had been disqualified shortly after election anyway. 1955 Sinn Fein contested the full range of seats and united the nationalist vote behind them, winning both the seats won by nationalists in 1951. Labour candidates contested only the four Belfast seats. 1951 This was the last election at which candidates stood unopposed; four Unionist candidates in