evidence: In 2018 it was announced that five areas outside the Gaeltacht on the island of Ireland would be formally recognised as having the first official Líonraí Gaeilge / Irish Language Networks under the Gaeltacht Act 2012. The networks in question are in West Belfast, Loughrea, Carn Tóchair, Ennis and Clondalkin.[70][71][72] Foras na Gaeilge have said they hope to award the status of Líonraí Gaeilge to other areas in the future. [...] Irish is recognised as an official language of Northern Ireland as of 6 December 2022 when the Identity and Language Act became law. The Irish Language Act officially repealed legislation from 1737 that banned the use of Irish in courts.[131] [...] - ^ "Irish-speaking areas in north set for official status for first time- The Irish News". 23 February 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2018.