Irish Phrases, Proverbs & Blessings

Everyday Irish phrases, seanfhocail (proverbs) and beannachtaí (blessings) — with pronunciation and native audio.

• Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste

  Broken Irish is better than clever English · Iss farr Gway-il-geh vrish-teh naw Bay-r-lah klish-teh

• Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin

  There's no place like home · Neel ayn chin-tawn mar duh hin-tawn fayn

• Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam

  A country without a language is a country without a soul · Cheer gon tang-ah, cheer gon on-um

• Go n-éirí an bóthar leat

  May the road rise to meet you (Good luck) · Guh nye-ree on boh-har lat

• Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine

  People live in each other's shadows (We rely on each other) · Er skaw ah khay-leh ah war-ann nah dee-neh

• Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí

  Praise the youth and they will flourish · Mul on oh-ig-eh og-us tyuk-fee shee

• An té a bhíonn siúlach, bíonn sé scéalach

  He who travels has stories to tell · On tay ah vee-un shool-ukh, bee-un shay shkay-lukh

• Tús maith leath na hoibre

  A good start is half the work · Toos moh lah nah hib-reh

• Go raibh míle maith agat

  Thank you very much · Guh rev mee-leh moh ag-ut

• Sláinte

  Cheers / Health · Slawn-cheh

• Go maire tú

  May you live long / Congratulations · Guh mor-eh too

• Beannacht Dé leat

  God's blessing be with you · Ban-akht Jay lat

• Sonas ort

  Happiness be on you · Sun-as urt