Irish Language

Dingle is in a native Irish speaking area and the "Gaeltacht" is the word used to describe these areas of Ireland where the native tongue, Irish or "Gaeilge", is still spoken. These "Gaeltacht" areas are primarily confined to rugged and isolated parts of the West and Southwest coast. The Irish language is used here on an everyday basis and is the preferred language to English.

When entering the Gaeltacht, i.e. the Dingle Peninsula, signposts, roadsigns and business names and addresses may be in Irish, or a mixture of Irish and English. We recommend purchasing a good quality road atlas for your trip, as they will have placenames in both Irish and English.

A majority of shops, pubs and commercial premises of all sizes will have their names in Irish above the door. So whether a small pub or a large construction company, the name may be in Irish.

Slang and sayings {just some fun}

What famous Irish sayings really mean.

May the road rise to meet you -

From the Gaelic, "Go N-eiri an bothar leat", which means may success be with you.

Top of the morning -

Hollywood invention, never used in Ireland.

And the rest of the day to yourself -

Also Hollywood.

Slainte -

Meaing good health. Slainte is the Gaelic word for health.

Slan -

Meaning farewell. Slan is the Gaelic word for safe so it means keep safe.

Erin go Bragh -

Meaning "Ireland forever" in Gaelic.

A hundred thousand welcomes -

From the Gaelic “Cead Mile Failte” which means literally that.

Dia is Muire Dhuit -

Meaning hello in Gaelic. The phrase literally means "God and Mary with you."

Dia is Mhuire Duit agus Padraig -

How the person responds,"God and Mary and St. Patrick with you."

Pog Mo Thoin -

Yes it means what you think it does, Gaelic for kiss my a**.

It’s said that the best English in the world is spoken by the Irish, but that is blatantly untrue. The language spoken by the Irish is barely distinguishable to English speakers from other parts of the world. Check out the complete list here, below are some of our some of our favorites…

Acting the maggot – playing around

Ages – long time

Arseways – complete mess (I did it all arseways)

Basser – a haircut

Be wide – be careful

Bird girl – girlfriend

Black Stuff – Guinness

Bloody – used mostly for strengthening an adjective

Bold – naughty

Bolloxed – very drunk

Bolt – run fast

Boozer – pub

Donkey’s Years – a long time

Drawers – underwear, usually ladies

Fifty stood-up (I got a fifty)

Fine thing/fine bit of stuff – Attractive/good looking person

Fla/Flah – Attractive/good looking person

Flah’ed out – very tired

Fluthered – very drunk

Fry fried breakfast – (sausage, bacon, eggs and black & white pudding)

Gawk – stare

Gee-Eyed – very drunk

Gobsmacked – very surprised

Goor man, guy – (A pub greeting: “How’re you goor?”)

Hammererd – very drunk

Hooley – party/celebration

Is the tea wet yet? – Is the tea ready?

Jammy – lucky

Jar – A pint

Jaysus! – Jesus

Juicy – pretty

Kip – to have a short siesta, rest

Ma – mother

Napper – the head, the brain

Rapid – - blushing

Snug – pub booth (usually fitting only 3/4 people)

Spuds – potatoes

Yonks – a long time