Gaelic as an adjective means "pertaining to the Gaels", whether to their language or their culture. The Gaels are an ethnic group in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man, whose language is one that is Gaelic (Goidelic). ...

Languages

As a noun, it may refer to the group of languages (originally) spoken by the Gaels, or to any one of the individual languages.

Gaelic may thus mean or refer to:

• Goidelic languages
• Scottish Gaelic language
• Irish language
• Manx language

When referring to Scottish Gaelic, Gaelic is usually pronounced /gɑːlɪk/ or /gælɪk/; /galɪk/ in Scots and Scottish English. When referring to Irish or Manx, it is usually pronounced /geɪlɪk/. The Goidelic languages are one of two major divisions of modern-day Celtic languages (the other being the Brythonic languages). ... Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig; IPA: ) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. ... Irish (Gaeilge), a Goidelic language spoken in Ireland, Britain, and the USA, is constitutionally recognised as the first official language of the Republic of Ireland. ... Manx (Gaelg or Gailck), also known as Manx Gaelic, is a Goidelic language spoken on the Isle of Man. ... Scots (or Lallans, meaning Lowlands), often Lowland Scots to distinguish it from the Gaelic of the Highlands, is a language used in Scotland, as well as parts of Northern Ireland and border areas of the Republic of Ireland, where it is known in official circles as Ulster Scots or Ullans... Diagram showing the geographical locations of selected languages and dialects of the British Isles. ...

Shelta is sometimes counted as a Gaelic or Goidelic language; however, while it is closely associated with Irish Gaelic it is not genetically related, being instead a cant which has borrowed a great volume of Irish vocabulary Shelta is a language spoken by parts of the Irish Traveller people. ... Cant is a term generally used to describe secret languages (cryptolects) used by gypsies, thieves, and others who have a need to communicate freely without necessarily conveying their meaning to a wider audience. ...

Gaelic culture and history

As an adjective, Gaelic may refer to the culture and history of the Gaelic-speaking peoples, with reference to, amongst other things:

• The Gaelic Athletic Association
• The Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts
• Gaelic football
• Gaelic Games
• Gaelic handball
• The Gaelic League
• The Gaelic Revival

The Gaelic Athletic Association (The GAA) (Irish: Cumann Lúthchleas Gael) is an organisation which is mostly focussed on promoting Irish sports, such as hurling and camogie, Gaelic football and handball, and rounders. ... The Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts (also known informally as the Gaelic College) is a Canadian educational institution located in the community of St. ... Gaelic football (Irish: peil ghaelach) is a form of football played mainly in Ireland. ... Gaelic games are the native sports of Ireland: principally Hurling, Gaelic Football and Camogie. ... Handball (also known as Irish/Gaelic handball, court handball or wall handball) is a sport similar to racquetball and squash. ... Conradh na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League) is an organization for the purpose of keeping the Irish language spoken in Ireland. ... 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. ...

Other uses

• SS Gaelic