It is more than likely that you will never need to speak a word of Irish in Ireland. English is the lingua franca on the Emerald Isle, despite all efforts to resurrect interest in the Irish language. There are however a few word or phrases you will encounter more or less frequently. Some are in everyday use everywhere and some are used locally. And some may lead to confusion - from missing your bus to entering where you shouldn't.
1. Garda
Pronounced "guarda" and meaning "guard" or "guardian". Usually the short form of
garda síochána, the "guardians of peace". This title was chosen for the Irish police and is used everywhere in the Republic. It is quite common to use the more English expression "the guards" in everyday speech. The police in Northern Ireland use the simple "police" as identification.
2. Fir
Not a tree but the Irish for "men" - you may find this as an identifier on toilet doors. Which can be quite confusing if not accompanied by a pictorial device or a translation.
3. Mná
Not a misspelling of "man" but the Irish for "women". Again this is used as an identifier on toilet doors, mainly in the West of Ireland. The similarity of
mná and "man" can lead to embarrassing situations.
4. Áth Cliath
Pronounced "ah cli-a" and literally translated "ford of the hurdles" - the alternative name of Dublin (both names are Irish). Used on road signs, bus destination boards and similar. The preface
baile (pronounced "bal-a") simply means "town", thus
baile átha cliath is the City of Dublin as opposed to the county.
5. An Lár
Literally "the middle" or "the center" and used on bus signs to denote the town center as destination.
6. Seirbhís
Pronounced "service" and meaning the same. The opposite is
as seirbhís - "out of service".
7. Sláinte
Pronounced "slaan-sha" this literally translates as "health". It is used as a short toast between drinking companions, standing in for the more time-consuming "I drink to your health!"
8. Slán
Again the meaning is literally "healthy" or "safe", but this form (pronounced "slaan") is used to wish a safe journey and healthy return. The extended
slán abhaile ("slaan aval") is used by the host and means "safe homewards". Other forms are
slan agat and
slan leat, all meaning "good bye".
9. Craic Agus Ceol
Pronounced "crack agus col" (with a drawn-out o) this means "crack and music" and is the usual description of Irish nightlife. The word
craic is not Irish - the English "crack" was simply re-written in an Irish form. The original meaning is "fun".
10. Fáilte
The word (pronounced "fall-sha") means "welcome" and is used as a greeting or to denote tourism activities - the Irish tourism industry uses the moniker "Fáilte Ireland". The very popular phrase
céad mile fáilte ("kad meel-a fall-sha") translates as "a hundred thousand welcomes".
