Irish words you should know before visiting Ireland

Irish, or Gaeilge (not Gaelic – Gaelic is the sport) is the native language of the island of Ireland. It’s a compulsory subject to learn in the Republic of Ireland’s education system, but it’s only spoken as the first language in some regions in the far west of the country (referred to as the Gaeltacht). But there are National television and radio stations who communicate as gaeilge (in Irish) on a daily basis, and I actually featured on the TV station in the summer of 2020

Irish words have edged their way into every day life in Ireland, despite English being the prominently spoken language, and the below video is a heartwarming one about Yu Ming who learns Irish to move to Ireland, only to face problems. It’s worth a watch.

Now, to feature on a handful of words that can help you adapt to your time in Eire.

Gardaí/Garda

(pronounced Gar-dee/Gar-dah). This is the police force of Ireland – An Garda Siochana, the guardians of peace – often referred to the plural of Gardaí, or simply the Guards. Hopefully you won’t need their assistance during your stay, but no harm in being prepared incase you should.

Fáilte

(pronounced fall-cha). This means welcome, and can be found on the entrance to many pubs throughout Ireland, it is also in the name of Ireland’s national tourism board, Failte Ireland. And whilst you’ll see “fáilte” on sign posts into most of the towns in Ireland, you can also encounter “ceád míle fáilte” which is a hundred thousand welcomes – a sign of that famous Irish hospitality.

Taoiseach

(pronounced tee-shock). This is the Irish head of state, whilst Ireland also has a president, the Taoiseach is the man with power – the president is a more ceremonial role. And despite the current Taoiseach not being popular (none of them have been in my lifetime to be honest), you better call him by his correct title before bad mouthing him – the term Irish prime minister is utterly unacceptable.

Sláinte

(pronounced slawn-cha). Meaning health, often said instead of “cheers” in Ireland, when toasting a round of drink, as in “to our health”.

Fir/Mná

(pronounced fer/min-naw). These words mean men/women and I’ve included them because a non-Irish speaker might see a word starting with M on the bathroom door and presume it’s the Male toilets – whilst the word starting with F is the female. Not this time champ.

Craic

(pronounced crack). Craic is a word that has gotten a few Irish people in trouble abroad – there are plenty of stories of people asking ‘any craic?’ (any gossip?), who have been questioned by police abroad thinking they were trying to solicit drugs. Craic can mean fun “that was good craic”, gossip “wait until you hear the craic I have for you/any craic” and it is bound to be one of the most spoken words on the island of Ireland (after pint of course)

Enjoy your stay in Eire and Ceád Míle Fáilte