Thousands march to demand Irish language be protectedThousands of people gathered for the 'CEARTA: National Protest for the Irish Language and the Gaeltacht' in Dublin at the weekend, for the first Irish language protest in a decadeView 3 Images The protest was the first of its kind in ten years (Image: Liam Murphy / Conradh na Gaeilge)Thousands of people gathered in Ireland’s capital, demanding the Irish language be protected. ‌An estimated 25,000 people showed up for a national protest titled 'CEARTA: National Protest for the Irish Language and the Gaeltacht.' Article continues belowThe march was the first demonstration for the Irish language in Dublin in over a decade. Article continues belowJimmy Kimmel to return to ABC today for one reason only following Charlie Kirk controversy READ MORE:The protest called on the Irish government to address inadequate funding for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht - a district where the government recognizes the Irish language as the predominant vernacular. The protest involved many Irish language advocates, including journalist Eibhlín Ní Bhroin, Law and Irish student at University College Dublin Rónán Ó hÍcí, Gaeltacht housing lobbyist Adhna Ní Bhraonáin and Conradh na Gaelic president Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin.