Buildings Signage & the Official Languages Acts
The purpose of this section is to provide detailed guidance on how the signage requirements set out in the Official Languages Acts 2003 & 2021 may be implemented when placing signage on any DCU campus or building.
Separate guidance on specific university building signage is available at the link below.
Further information on all aspects of the work of Oifig na Gaeilge in promoting the Irish language in Dublin City University may be accessed at the link below.
DCU introduced its first formal policy to manage signage across all of its campuses and buildings in 2024. One of the requirements of the policy is that all signage must be bilingual (in Irish and English) and comply with the Official Languages Acts.
A link to the policy is provided below.
Bilingual Signage and Irish Translations
The Official Language Acts 2003 and 2021 ensures that Dublin City University has legal obligations to ensure that all signage, both permanent and temporary, is provided bilingually.
The only exceptions to this in the University would be the following:
- Fiontar Scoil na Gaeilge;
- Sealbhú; or
- an official place name where the text is in Irish only.
Examples of Signage in DCU, but not limited to this list, that fall under the legislation are:
? Entrance, door and building name signage
? Wayfinding – directional, maps, wayfinding, directories, locations and information
? Health and Safety (Fire assembly) signage
? Plaques, flags and bunting
? Water fonts and WiFi hubs
? Decals on windows
? Parking signage
? Vehicle signage
? Hoarding around building works or construction sites
? Temporary signs - including out-of-office sign and event directional signage
Layout for Bilingual Signage are described below
1. The text in Irish shall appear first.
2. The text in Irish shall be as prominent, visible and legible as the text in English.
3. The letters in the text in Irish shall not be smaller in size or in a different typeface / font style than the letters in the text in English.
4. The text in Irish shall communicate the same information as the text in English.
5. A word in the text in Irish shall not be abbreviated unless the word in the text in English, of which it is the translation, is also abbreviated.
6. If there is a Place Names Order under Section 32 of the Act in force, a public body must use the official Irish language version specified in the Order on signs placed by it at any location. The Place names Orders are available at www.coimisineir.ie.
Any queries in relation to the requirements of the Acts as they pertains to signage should be directed to the University's Irish Language Officer. See contact link below.