While Irish language and culture hold special meaning for the those from the Emerald Isle and those of Irish descent all year long, each year as St. Patrick’s Day – March 17 – approaches, the rest of the world suddenly takes notice. Expressions in the Irish language give insight into the culture of that unique island nation.
Erin Go Bragh
One of the most common and popular of Irish phrases is probably “Erin go bragh.” The words, which are properly spelled Éirinn go brách [aerin guh brawkh] in the Irish Gaelic language translate into “Ireland forever.”
The term brách is equivalent to “eternity” or “the end of time.” Erin or Éirinn means Ireland. The phrase Éirinn go brách is part of an Irish blessing used to express allegiance to or affinity for Ireland. It is found on many Irish flags and banners.
More Irish Phrases for St. Patrick’s Day
The Irish lexicon includes numerous thoughtful, thought-provoking, and philosophical phrases often spoken by the Irish in their native tongue. The following are a sampling:
Bua na cainte [boo-ah nah coin-che] is a classical Irish phrase that translates into “the gift of the gab” or the ability to converse.
Ni ceart go cur le cheile [nee keart guh curr leh kay-lah] is a phrase that can be expressed as “there is no strength without unity.”
Is maith an scathan suil charad [iss mot on scah-hawn sewell karr-add] is a thought provoking phrase meaning “a friends eye is a good mirror.”
Ni heolas go haontios! [nee hyeo-luss guh hain-chiss] evokes a philosophical bent with the translation of “You cant know me without living with me!”
De reir a cheile a thogtar na caisleain [deh rare ah kay-lee a hug-tar nah cosh-lawn] is something the ancient Irish may be well qualified to advise on in today’s hurry-up world. It means “It takes time to build castles.”
Is minic a gheibhean beal oscailt diog dunta! [iss minick ah gav-awnn bail os-kuly dee-ug doon-ta] is well worth considering before one speaks. Translation: “An open mouth often catches a closed fist!”
Irish Curses
For those who want to express rather negative feelings in a more poetic manner, here are some typical Irish curses.
Imeacht gan teacht ort [imm/ocked gone chockt urt] translates into “May you leave without returning.”
Titim gan éirí ort [titt/imm gone eye/ree urt] means “May you fall without rising.”
Go n-ithe an cat thú is go n-ithe an diabhal an cat [guh nih-heh on cot hoo iss guh nih-heh on jowel on cot] translates into “May the cat eat you, and may the cat be eaten by the devil.”
To hear the phrase Éirinn go brách and some of the other Irish sayings spoken by native Irish speakers try the Irish-Sayings.com website.
As all the world turns Irish for one day on St. Patrick’s day, learning a few Irish sayings or even some rather lyrical curses can add to one’s sense of Irish identity or simply be a fun way to celebrate the “wearin’ o’ the green.”
For more information about the Irish language try "Learn to Speak Irish Language" and "A Review of How the Irish Invented Slang."
Margaret M. Williams - Margaret M. Williams (Peggy) has been a teacher for over 25 years. She currently teaches first grade in a classroom that combines native ...
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