Colourful Irish PhrasesThe Irish language has made a huge contribution to the English language as it's spoken in Ireland and beyond. Micheál Ó Conghaile's 'Colourful Irish Phrases' is a small compendium of characteristic phrases that will alert the reader to the unmistakable difference between our native language and English. Even the most basic words are expressed so differently. Please in Irish is más é do thoil é (if it is your will), and thanks becomes go raibh maith agat (may you receive good). There are many phrases that when translated, word for word, they sound different, unusual and sometimes funny. But above all, they are rich and deeply rooted. Visitors to Ireland who want to get some notion of our native identity will find these phrases both instructive and revealing. Topics covered range across subjects as diverse as insults and put-downs, being human and the gift of the gab. |
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Common terms and phrases
agus aige Áit amuigh anuas arse atá bád bán Ballinasloe beag béal bocht Bealtaine Bearna Beidh bhéal Bhí sé ina Bhuail Bíonn Chailleach chéile Chomh Chuaigh sé chuid Chuir sé chur cleite Cló Iar-Chonnacht colour Connemara cows craiceann currach curtha D'ólfadh sé Days in Ireland describe diabhal dog's breakfast drink Eamonn Magee emigrants English famous father féin Fianna fight Gaeltachtaí Guerilla Days Hag of Beara hide hornless idir dhá Ireland Irish Dad Jokes Irish language Irish writers Island Christmas isteach John Spillane MacHale mean Mercier Press mhullaigh Micheál Ó Conghaile Mise Éire mouth ndiaidh Ní raibh Níl sé Níor normally Oisín orthu person phrase poitín read Advertising Rinne sé Scéal sé imithe shit siad singer skin Snámh soir someone story storytellers swim Tadhg talk Thit sé thóin Thug sé tóin TOM BARRY uisce West Cork word