More than 1.4 million people - 43 per cent of the population over three - told the 1996 census takers they could speak Irish.
On the surface this appears to show an increase of nearly 350,000 over the 1991 census. However, comparisons with previous censuses are impossible since a different question - Can the person speak Irish? - was asked in 1996.
In previous censuses, people were asked whether they spoke Irish only, Irish and English, or could read but not speak Irish.
The impression that the 1996 figure is inflated is confirmed by questions about how often people used Irish. Nearly two-thirds of those who were recorded as able to speak Irish either never spoke it or spoke it less frequently than weekly. This proportion rose to 87 per cent for those aged 20-44.
The 1996 census showed the ability to speak Irish was higher among women (45.7 per cent) than men (41.2 per cent). It was highest among the school-going population, with more than twothirds of 10-to-19-years-olds recor ded as able to speak the language.
Ability to speak Irish declined among people in their 20s and early 30s, but picked up again in the 35-44 age group, a high proportion of whom are parents with young school-going children.
The counties with the highest proportion of Irish speakers were Galway (54.2 per cent), Clare (51.7 per cent) and Kerry (51.1 per cent). Those with the lowest proportions were the city of Dublin (35.1 per cent), Louth and Wicklow (both 36.9 per cent).
In towns with a population of 1,500 or more, Dingle, Co Kerry, recorded 71.6 per cent Irish speakers, Claremorris, Co Mayo, 60.8 per cent and Templemore, Co Tipperary, 57.9 per cent.
The towns with the lowest proportions were Ardee, Co Louth, (27 per cent) Newtownmount kennedy, Co Wicklow, (28.1 per cent) and Buncrana, Co Donegal, (31.1 per cent).
The occupational groups with the highest Irish-speaking ability were teachers (83 per cent), gardai (77.3 per cent) and religious (65.9 per cent). Those with the lowest ability were textile and clothing workers (24.6 per cent), building workers (27.6 per cent) and food, drink and tobacco workers (29.3 per cent).
The proportion of Irish-speakers in the Ring Gaeltacht, Co Waterford, was 86.5 per cent.