Irish (Gaeilge) — The Basics
Irish (Gaeilge) is the first official language of Ireland — as stated in the constitution. In practice, the vast majority speak English in everyday life, but Irish is present everywhere: road signs are bilingual (in the Gaeltacht areas on the west coast only in Irish), all government documents are in Irish, and it is taught as a compulsory subject in schools.
In the Gaeltacht areas (Connemara, Aran Islands, Dingle Peninsula, parts of Donegal and Ring), Irish is actually the everyday language — about 70,000 people speak it as their mother tongue. Knowing a few words of Irish is received here with genuine joy.
| Irish | Pronunciation | German |
|---|---|---|
| Dia dhuit | Djia gwit | Hello (literally: God be with you) |
| Dia is Muire dhuit | Djia is Mwirra gwit | Response to Dia dhuit |
| Conas atá tú? | Kunas atah tu? | How are you? |
| Tá mé go maith | Tah meh go mah | I'm good |
| Go raibh maith agat | Go rev mah agat | Thank you |
| Slán | Slahn | Goodbye |
| Sláinte! | Slahn-tsche! | Cheers! (literally: Health!) |
| Fáilte | Fahl-tsche | Welcome |
| Céad míle fáilte | Kehd mihlä fahltscha | A hundred thousand welcomes |
| Le do thoil | Leh do hol | Please |
| Tá | Tah | Yes |
| Níl | Nihl | No |
| Leithreas | Leh-ras | Toilet |
| Mná | Menah | Women (toilet sign!) |
| Fir | Fir | Men (toilet sign!) |
Understanding Irish Place Names
| Irish | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Baile | Town/Village | Baile Átha Cliath = Dublin |
| Cill | Church | Cill Airne = Killarney |
| Dún | Fortress | Dún Laoghaire |
| Inis | Island | Inis Mór = Inishmore |
| Loch | Lake | Gleann Dá Loch = Glendalough |
| Carraig | Rock | Carraig Phádraig = Rock of Cashel |
| Gleann | Valley | Glendalough = Valley of the two lakes |
| Trá | Beach | Trá Mór = Tramore |
💡 Tipp
"Sláinte!" (Cheers!) is the most important word you should learn — you'll use it dozens of times. The second: "Céad míle fáilte" (A hundred thousand welcomes) — you'll read and hear it everywhere.
