A majority of adults in Northern Ireland believe the Irish language makes a positive contribution to society, according to a major annual attitudinal survey. The 2025 Northern Ireland Life and Times survey also found significant support for Ulster-Scots.

The survey, conducted by ARK, a joint initiative of Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, polled 1,244 people aged 18 and over. Fifty-six per cent of respondents agreed that Irish adds richness and diversity to life in the region, while 45 per cent said the same of Ulster-Scots.

On education, 45 per cent felt learning Irish in school benefits children, compared with 31 per cent for Ulster-Scots. Younger adults showed stronger support: those aged 18 to 44 were the most in favour of Irish language initiatives, and backing for Ulster-Scots was highest among 25- to 44-year-olds.

Women were more likely than men to endorse teaching Irish and Ulster-Scots in schools, and more supportive of greater promotion by the Northern Ireland Executive.

West Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly welcomed the findings as evidence of the language’s positive impact. She highlighted recent milestones, including the appointment of an Irish Language Commissioner and Belfast City Council’s adoption of an Irish language policy, but called on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to publish the long-awaited Irish language strategy.

Dr O’Boyle from Queen’s University said the results reveal robust public support for both Irish and Ulster-Scots as ways of enriching life in Northern Ireland.