This site uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising.
By continuing to browse, you agree to the use of cookies described in our Cookies Policy.
You may change your settings at any time but this may impact on the functionality of the site.
To learn more see our
Cookies Policy.
Download our app
9 word pronunciations Irish people need the world to know about
HEY, WORLD?
Are you listening? We’ve got something to say.
You’ve been mispronouncing words for a long time and we think it’s time we intervened.
1. It’s Galla-her, not Galla-ger
PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
*winces*
Sorry, lads.
2. On another note, this is how you pronounce Moran
Matt Crossick / EMPICS Entertainment Matt Crossick / EMPICS Entertainment / EMPICS Entertainment
Let’s put Dylan Moran out of his misery once and for all.
3. Here is how not to pronounce Donegal and Sligo
Donegal = dun-ee-gawl
Sligo = sly-go
Just for future reference.
4. It may have a lot of vowels, but Saoirse is not that tricky
Saoirse might have a deceptive number of vowels, but it’s actually quite simple to master.
Say it with us: seer-sha.
5. Youghal does not rhyme with Dougal or frugal
Flickr Flickr
We know it’s hard to believe, what with all the letters, but Youghal is actually just pronounced like “y’all”.
If you pronounce it any other way, we may snigger.
6. Don’t worry, Dun Laoghaire is not as intimidating as it might look
Flickr Flickr
“Dun… Leghigher?”
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
7. Róisín is not a type of dried fruit
Got that?
8. Never, ever say “Smith-wicks”
We know, we know — why bother with the ‘w’ at all?
Don’t question such things. Just know that it’s Smith-icks.
9. For the last time, it’s Paddy, not Patty
paddynotpatty paddynotpatty
Please, please, please make note of this.
We don’t want to have to revisit it next year.
15 Irish surnames that are now actually popular baby names in America >
11 things Irish men want their girlfriends to realise >
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Gaeilge Irish pronounce say it right Words