The pronunciation of Gaeilge (Irish) and the other Celtic languages is not always intuitive to non-native speakers. The info included here was at one time a part of my old website, and I am including it here for reference purposes. I do not actually speak Gaeilge, but I can read and write a little of it. – Aine
Irish-Gaelic Phonetic Pronunciation Guide
a . . . . . . pronounced like O, as in cot
á . . . . . . pronounced like AW, as in paw
bh . . . . . . pronounced like V or W
c . . . . . . always hard, as in cattle
ch . . . . . . pronounced like CH, as in Bach
dh . . . . . . pronounced like Y
e . . . . . . UNpronounced before A, unless accented
é . . . . . . pronounced like AY, as in play
fh . . . . . . UNpronounced
g . . . . . . always hard, as in tiger
gh . . . . . . pronounced like Y
i . . . . . . pronounced like EE, as in seek
mh . . . . . . pronounced like V or W
ó . . . . . . pronounced like O, as in go
s . . . . . . pronounced like SH before E or I
sh . . . . . . pronounced like H
th . . . . . . pronounced like H
ú . . . . . . pronounced like OO, as in zoo
Also see :
- Irish Orthography @ Wikipedia
- Irish Local Names Explained by P.W. Joyce, LL.D., M.R.I.A.
- Ainmneacha Fear – Men’s Names
- Ainmneacha Ban – Women’s Names
This is awesome, thank you!
Could you please tell me what air born school of irish dance would be if translated into Irish-Gaelic?
I’m not a translator of Irish Gaelic. Suggest you find a good English-Irish dictionary, either online or at a book store.
my daughter has just met a little girl called Aine (like you)! I want to get the pronunciation right when I meet her mother! Grace (my daughter) says the name something like: awn-yuh (with an english accent. Is that a fair approximation? cheers.
yes, or like AHN-yeh
Can you tell me the phonetic pronunciation of the following: nollaig shona duit
I believe this means “Happy Christmas” in Gaelic.
Thank you.
NO-Lihg HO-nuh ghwich
I am of Irish and Scottish decent and have always wanted to learn the Gaelic language. Thank You for this wonderful site.