The most common way to say "OK" in Ireland is "grand". It is used to mean that something is fine, acceptable, or good, and is frequently used in phrases like "I'm grand" or "That's grand". It is a versatile, everyday term reflecting an easy-going, accepting, and often understated attitude.
So if you ask an Irish person how they are or if they are happy with something, a very common response would be “ah grand” which means everything is fine or something is just okay.
Patrick's Day, people turn to their dictionary to look up Erin go bragh, which means “Ireland forever.” The original Irish phrase was Erin go brách (or go bráth), which translates literally as “Ireland till doomsday.” It's an expression of loyalty and devotion that first appeared in English during the late 18th-century ...
A phrase that you will see on Irish tombstones is “Suaimhneas Síoraí Air” or “Go Raibh Suaimhneas Síoraí Air” — “Eternal Rest be Upon Him” (apply correct pronoun as required). This is the closest you can get in Irish to a direct translation of “Rest in Peace.”
Take note of how 'duit' is pronounced in the short clip above. If this were written exactly as it is spoken it would be written 'dhuit'. This 'dhu' sound doesn't exist in the English language and so will take a little practice!
What does the "oge" mean in Michaleen Oge Flynn's name? Óg is the Irish word for "young", so if someone was named after their father or mother, they'd put óg at the end of the name so people would know which one you were talking about, e.g. Sean (senior) versus Seanóg (junior).
A very Irish thing to say is "What's the craic?" (meaning "What's happening?" or "How are you?") or to respond with "Ah, sure look it," which shrugs off a situation, alongside terms like "grand" (fine/good) or "fluthered" (drunk), showing Irish speech is full of unique slang for fun, disbelief, and everyday situations.
Is tú mo ghrá (Iss too mu graw) or “Mo Ghrá thú” (muh graw hoo) "You are my love," or is tú mo ghrá, is probably the closest we come to saying “I love you” in Irish. This is a lovely phrase that would work well as a thoughtful engraving or translated into Ogham.
Mo Shearc (pronounced 'hark'): Means 'my love' Another simple version of 'mo ghrá'. Mo Rúnsearc (pronounced 'roon-hark'): Literally means 'my secret love', there is no direct equivalent in English. Mo Mhuirnin (pronounced 'mur-neen'): Means 'my little darling' or 'my dear', a more formal phrase.
"Knackered" meaning tired, exhausted or broken in British and Irish slang is commonly used in Australia, Ireland, Newfoundland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
What is a séimhiú ? A séimhiú lenites, ie makes thinner, the letter at the start of the word, which changes the sound of the word. In Irish this change is shown by adding a h after the first consonant in the word.
**So, what is an Irish goodbye?** It's when someone leaves a social gathering without saying farewell to anyone. No grand exit. No round of goodbyes. Just a silent vanish. While some might call it rude, in Irish culture, it's almost charming.
You've undoubtedly heard the classic Irish blessing: “May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields.
