Cork Gaeltacht areas saw an 8% increase in employment last year 

The Gaeltacht communities of Múscraí in mid Cork and Oileán Cléire (Cape Clear) saw an 8% increase in employment during 2024 with the addition of 97 new jobs, it has been disclosed in the end-of-year report of Údarás na Gaeltachta for 2024.

In total there are now 819 people in ventures supported by the Gaeltacht development agency in the Cork Gaeltacht communities and the increase in employment is on a par with the Mayo Gaeltacht, making those two communities the best-performing in the country.

According to the report, the number of people employed in the Gaeltacht is now 9,743, the highest level since Údarás was established in the early 1980s. 

Growth

This represents a net increase of 217 jobs, with growth across five Gaeltacht counties. The continued growth contrasts with the competitive nature of the employment market with 196 open positions across client companies at the end of 2024.

The female entrepreneurship initiative, Cumasú, has successfully engaged 41 female entrepreneurs across seven Gaeltacht counties. Sales across Údarás client companies were valued at €1.098bn with exports making up a significant €658m of that total, given current global economic uncertainties.

The success of a new company, Kombeara Ltd, a Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh-based firm which manufactures a Kombucha-style drink, and other food-related businesses in the region has been credited with the growth of employment in the Cork Gaeltacht. 

The report also points to a memorandum of understanding between Údarás na Gaeltachta and Tourism Ireland to promote tourism in the Gaeltacht, and one result of this has been a significant investment of more than €1m in the visitor centre on Oileán Cléire, a centre which is part of the Carraig Aonair/Fastnet Rock Experience.

An Údarás na Gaeltachta spokesperson said there should be an announcement soon to progress plans to invest in the provision of services through the medium of Irish in Macroom.