The Gaelic Revival the revival of the Irish language was mainly promoted by the Gaelic League and Douglas Hyde for much of the late 19th century and early 20th century. Later the Irish Free State commenced a vast programme of skilling teachers with Irish language skills and setting standards of competence for entry into the civil service.

All this met with some success, it often caused a backlash, especially from people who though their basic reading and writing skills were poor enough in the English language without concentrating on the Irish language which few would ever find a use of. Today in Ireland there is enthusiastic support for the language by many, however fluent speakers of the language are at a all time low whilst Leaving Certificate Chief Examiners Reports paint a grim picture of a language which is learned through English and by rote.