The Irish Language

Did you know? While English is widely spoken across Ireland, Irish (Gaeilge) remains a vibrant part of the culture, especially in regions known as the Gaeltacht. In these areas, you may encounter road signs and conversations in Irish, offering a glimpse into Ireland’s linguistic heritage.

Even outside the Gaeltacht, you’ll notice Irish words woven into place names and everyday language. Many visitors find themselves charmed by these terms, bringing a few favorites home as part of their travel memories.

To help you get acquainted, here’s a quick dictionary of some common Irish words and their meanings:

Bally: Place of (BAH-lee)
Ballycastle - Place of the castle

Carraig: Rock/large stone (KAHR-ig)
Carraig na gCat - Rock of the cats

Craic: Good times/fun (crack)
“What’s the craic?” - What’s happening?

Fáilte: Welcome (FAWL-chuh)
Céad Míle Fáilte - A hundred thousand welcomes

Glen: Valley (glen)
Glen of Aherlow - Valley of Aherlow

Kil: Church of (kill)
Killarney - Church of the sloe bushes

Lough: Lake (lock)
Lough Corrib - Corrib Lake

Sláinte: To your health (SLAWN-chuh)
“Sláinte!” - Cheers!