Údarás na Gaeltachta combines an economic development role (that of creating sustainable jobs and attracting investment to the Gaeltacht regions) with community, cultural and language-development activities, working in partnership with local communities and organisations. With its headquarters at Na Forbacha, County Galway, Údarás na Gaeltachta has regional offices in Donegal, Mayo, Kerry and Cork . The Authority’s work builds on the work of successive governments in maintaining and developing the Gaeltacht as a vibrant community where there is a sufficient level of economic activity to sustain the community and where the language is established at the heart of that economic activity.

The Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta comprises 20 members, seventeen of whom are directly elected by the electorate of the Gaeltacht, the other three being appointed by the Minister of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.