Focal an Lae: Uisce beatha

Tuesday, 20 October 2026

Uisce beatha (ISH-keh BA-ha) is the Irish for whiskey.

The water of life, which is what the Latin aqua vitae meant too. English heard the first word, shortened it, and got whiskey out of it.

Other days

Croí, the day before · Baile, the day after

A new Irish word every morning, 386 of them in the round, with the feast days of the Irish year keeping their own. Today’s word. More in the phrases, the names and the place names.