There are two official languages in Ireland: Irish, which is the national language, and English, which despite being the spoken tongue of the majority of people in Ireland, is recognized as Ireland's second language.
Irish is a Celtic language, closely related to Scottish Gaelic, Welsh and Breton. It was the language of the vast majority of the population until the early 19th century. The shift to English happened quickly and by 1891 it was being spoken by over 85% of the population.
The early 20th century saw a national cultural revival as well as the establishment of an independent Irish State. Subsequent promotion of the Irish language by the state has preserved existing usage and increased bilingualism.
The latest figures available show that 32% of adults claim a knowledge of the language. Irish is the principle language in areas known as Gaeltachts, situated mainly along the western seaboard. A State authority, Udaras na Gaeltachta, promotes industrial development in these areas. Bord na Gaeilge (the Irish Language Board), also a State agency, promotes the use of Irish throughout the country and as a core school subject up to and including secondary level.
A growing number of schools, known as Gaelscoil (all-Irish Schools), offer tuition exclusively through the Irish language. Radio na Gaeltachta broadcasts nationally in Irish and a new Irish language television service, Telifís na Gaeilge was launched in November 1996.
One of the most common problems visitors encounter is understanding the locals. Although English is the spoken language it is often accompanied by a very thick accent, especially in rural areas. Repetitive exposure to country-folks way of talking is the only real way to get clued-in to what they're talking about, but we believe we may be of some help! The following is a list of words and phrases that you're quite likely to hear and otherwise be baffled by while in Ireland. In some cases you may think we're joking, but upon arrival in Ireland you will swiftly discover that we most definitely are not.
Commonly Used Irish Words & Phrases
Bags; to make a bags of something = make a mess of something
To be banjaxed = to be broken or tired
Bird(s) = Girl(s)
Biscuit = Cookie - not to be attempted with gravy!!
Bold; to be bold = to be naughty
Bonnet = Hood (of a car)
Boot = Trunk (of a car)
Chips = French fries
Codger; you 'ould codger = Joker - usually associated with an elderly male
To come down in the last shower = To be naïve/ wet behind the ears
Craic = Fun
How's the craic? = How are you doing?
Crisps = Chips
Culchies = Semi-insulting term for rural people used by city-dwellers
To eat the head off = To verbally abuse
Eejit = Idiot/ fool
Fair play to you = Well done, approval of one's actions or opinions
Feck = A slightly more polite version of the other infamous F-word
Fluthered, blocked, langers, sloshed, stocious = all kindly expressions for being drunk!
Foostering; fostering about = Making quite a fuss without really accomplishing anything
Full shilling; He's not the full shilling = He's not mentally competent
Gas; We had great gas/ He's a gas man = We had great fun/ He's a funny guy
Giving-out (about someone) = Scolding; speaking negatively (about someone)
Go away out of that = You must be joking
Gob = Mouth
Gobdaw/ Gobshite = Idiot/ fool
Guff; Don't give me any of your guff = Don't give me your excuses/ disrespect
Having someone on = Joking with someone
Hames; You made a hames of it = You made a poor job of it
Header; That fella's a header = Mentally unstable person
Jackeens = semi-insulting term for Dublin people used by culchies!!
Jacks/ Bathroom/ Toilet = Restroom
Lad(s); One of the lads = One of the gang, male or female
Jaded = Tired/ Exhausted
Letting-on; I was just letting-on = I was just pretending
Lively; Get out that door fairly lively = Quickly; Leave the room with speed!
Messages = Groceries
Mot = Girlfriend
Petrol Station = Gas Station
Pictures; Want to go to the pictures? = Movies; Want to go to the Movie Theater
Puck; He got a puck in the gob = Punch; He received a sharp blow to the mouth!
Puss; She had a right puss on her = She had a sulky/ petulant expressionShook;
He was very shook looking = He looked disturbed/ shaken-up
Slagging; I'm only slagging you/ Taking the piss = Good-naturedly making fun of someone
Scratcher; He's just out of the scratcher = He's just out of bed
Sleeveen = Sly, calculating person
Topper; He's a topper = A term of praise usually reserved for the young; He's a great lad
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