Status of the Irish language from 40,000 up to 80,000 people. Areas in which the language remains a vernacular are referred to as "Gaeltacht" areas. Irish is the least widely spoken among the 24 official languages of the European Union. The use of the language in the Irish diaspora has been declining steadily. Irish speakers outside the Gaeltacht include both second-language speakers and native speakers who were raised and educated through Irish. They are sometimes known as and constitute an expanding minority, though of uncertain size. They are predominantly urban dwellers. Present trends make it likely that they represent the future of the language and
The Dawning of the Day Aisling where the poet encounters a mysterious beautiful woman. In this case, she upbraids him as a frivolous rake and points to the approaching dawn. Notes: Helen of Troy is used in the translation rather than the literal Venus simply for its rhythm. The final verse is a poetical rather than literal translation, which would be: translation by Na Casaidigh The Dawning of the Day "The Dawning of the Day" (, literally "The bright ring of the day") is the name of two old Irish airs. O'Connellan's "Fáinne Geal an Lae" is often confused with the later pentatonic melody to