A Guide To Irish Pronunciation

Dia Daoibh! This week, we thought it would be a good idea to put together a guide to pronouncing Irish words for you, as they can be quite tricky sometimes! We hope you find this useful!

(i) Short vowels
→ "i": pronounced like "i" in the English word "pin".

→ "e": pronounced as "eh"

→ "u": pronounced as "u" in English word “put”

→ "o": pronounced as "o" in the English word "pot".

→ "a": pronounced as "a" in the English word “father”.

→ "ea": pronounced as "a" in the English word "cat".

(ii) Long vowels

→ "í" and "ao" : pronounced as “ee” in the English word "sheep".

→ "é" and "ae": pronounced as “ay” in the English word "may".

→ "ú": pronounced as “oo” in the English word "boot".

→ "ó" and "eo" : pronounced as "oe" in the English word “oboe”.

→ "á": pronounced as “aw” in the English word "saw".

→ "eo": pronounced as the English word "oh".

→ "ao": pronounced as either “ay” or “ee”, depending on the dialect.

→ "abha" and "amha": pronounced as "ow" in the English word "clown" or "oe" in the English word "oboe", depending on the dialect.

→ "agha" and "adh": pronounced as the English word "eye".

(iii) Consonants

Consonants can either be broad or slender. Broad means that the consonant is followed or preceded by an "a", "o" or "u" (and their long/short variations). Slender means that the consonant is followed or preceded by an "i" or "e" (and their long/short variations).

→ "bh" (broad): pronounced as the English letter "w"

→ "bh" (slender): pronounced as the English letter "v".

→ "ch" (broad): pronounced as the English letter "h".
→ "ch" (slender): pronounced as the English letter "h".
→ "dh" (broad): pronounced as "gh"

→ "dh" (slender): pronounced as the English letter "y"

→ "fh" (broad): silent

→ "fh" (slender): silent

→ "gh" (broad): pronounced as "gh"

→ "gh" (slender): pronounced as the English letter "y"
→ "mh" (broad): pronounced as the English letter "w".

→ "mh" (slender): pronounced as the English letter "v".

→ "ph" (broad): pronounced as "fw".

→ "ph" (slender): pronounced as "fy"

→ "sh" (broad): pronounced as the English letter "h".
→ "sh" (slender): pronounced as the English letter "h".
→ "th" (broad): pronounced as the English letter "h".
→ "th" (slender): pronounced as the English letter "h".