56% of respondents believe Irish language adds to the richness and diversity in the North

The 2025 Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey suggests public attitudes towards language and identity may be less polarised than political debate often implies.

The NILT survey from ARK, a joint Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University initiative, is an annual survey recording public attitudes to key social issues.

Support for language learning in schools was evident, with 45 per cent of respondents saying that learning Irish in school benefits children, while 31 per cent said the same about Ulster-Scots.

The survey also identified notable differences across age groups and gender.

Respondents aged 18-44 were generally the most supportive of Irish language initiatives, while support for Ulster-Scots was strongest among those aged 25-44. Women were more supportive than men of the inclusion in the school curriculum of Irish (48 per cent, compared with 42 per cent among men) and Ulster-Scots (34 per cent, compared with 29 per cent among men) and increased promotion from the Northern Ireland Executive.

This research update was conducted by Dr Aisling O’Boyle from Queen’s and Professor Lorna Carson from Trinity College Dublin. The questions on languages were supported by the Department for Communities.

Dr. O’Boyle from Queen’s commented: “The results of the NILT 2025 Survey have given us a really interesting picture of attitudes to the Irish language and to Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture. It reveals that there is robust positive public support for the Irish language and Ulster-Scots as a way of enriching life in Northern Ireland.”

Dr. Devine, Director of the NILT survey and from Queen’s noted: “For over 25 years, the Northern Ireland Life and Times survey has been recording public attitudes to key social issues affecting our lives. Given the appointment of the two language Commissioners, as well as an Office for Identity and Cultural Expression, the data provides timely information on language and identity in Northern Ireland.”

The survey also identified the top five most popular ways of learning more about Ulster-Scots and Irish including: visiting hairtlains (areas where Ulster-Scots has particular significance/provenance) and Gaeltacht areas (where Irish is the main language spoken); TV and radio; online courses; apps; and informal education.