Do you want to learn how to say Happy New Year in Irish Gaelic? 

On the eve of the beginning of a new year, Irish people gather with friends and family to toast the new year. However, several more ancient traditions are still practiced. These traditions may seem odd but interesting and, in some cases, remain relevant.

One of these New Year traditions in Ireland is having coal in the house, as coal is a symbol of fertility, wealth, and security. Another strange custom is banging pots with wooden spoons to scare away evil spirits to usher in the new year.

In addition to their unique culture, the Irish are known for their beautiful native language. Saying “Happy New Year” in Irish Gaelic is something you must learn if you’re visiting Ireland as the year ends and another begins.

It is acceptable and expected for a traveler visiting Ireland to greet someone on the New Year in English. However, if you’re in an area where Gaelic is still spoken or with someone who has strong ties to the language, making an extra effort will be appreciated more often than not.

Learning a bit of Irish may appear challenging, but it’s quite easy and fun! Read on for our quick guide to saying “Happy New Year” in Irish Gaelic.

How To Say Happy New Year In Irish Gaelic

1. Athbhliain faoi mhaise dhuit – Happy New Year To You

When you want to wish someone a “Happy New Year” in Irish, you don’t just say “Happy New Year”. Instead, you directly address the person you are talking to by saying “Happy New Year To You.”

If you want to wish someone a happy new year in Irish, you say Athbhliain faoi mhaise dhuit, which is pronounced as ath leen fui washa ditch.

If we break this expression down by word, you get the following direct translations:

Athbhliain – refers to the coming, following year

Faoi – means “under” or “in”

Mhaise – translates to “good, prosperous”

dhuit – means “to you” (singular)

Therefore, the greeting wishes someone a new year that’s good and prosperous.

2. Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh – Happy New Year To You(s)

This is how you wish a group of people a “Happy New Year” in Irish, where Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh is pronounced as ath leen fui washa dheev.

Irish Gaelic differentiates between “you” when addressing one person and “you” when addressing multiple people.

“To you “is an important component of the greeting, and it differs depending on whether you are speaking to one person or several.

The plural “to you” (many, plural) in this greeting is daoibh, pronounced as dheev, while the singular is dhuit, pronounced as dhuit.

3. How to respond if someone greets you with a “Happy New Year” in Irish

If someone says Athbhliain faoi mhaise dhuit to you, here are the ways you can return the greeting:

● You can simply say Athbhliain faoi mhaise dhuit (Happy new year to you) back, or

● You can thank them first and then return the greeting. You can say Go raibh maith agat, Athbhliain faoi mhaise dhuit, which means thank you, happy new year to you!

4. How to say “New Year’s Eve” in Irish Gaelic

● Oíche Chinn Bliana – New Years’ Eve
This expression directly translates to Year’s End Night, pronounced as “ee-ha kin blee-ana.”

● Oíche na Coda Móire – also means “New Year’s Eve”
This is another term for this particular night, which focuses on the practice of cooking a large supper for the final day of the year. The precise translation of this phrase is “The Night of the Great Feast,”

5. Other useful New Year expressions in Irish

The following are Irish Gaelic expressions that you may hear while in Ireland:

● Sláinte – cheers (to health) this is similar to the French expression ‘sante’ which is used during a toast.

● an Bhliain Nua – the new year

● beannachtaí – a greeting that’s also a blessing

● Ceol – music

● Comóradh – celebration

● Lá Caille – new years day

Christine Rogador

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. I also lived in 3 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.

irelandtravelguides.com

Do you want to learn how to say Merry Christmas in Irish Gaelic? 

When it comes to Christmas, Ireland goes all out. There is a lot going on during the holiday season, including family get-togethers, parties, and gift-giving. As the holiday cheer spreads, so do the good wishes on the phones and in Christmas cards.

You’ll hear a lot of English-language Christmas greetings in Ireland. However, if you are in the Emerald Isle for the holidays, knowing how to say “Merry Christmas” in Irish Gaelic may prove useful if you want to send holiday greetings to Irish family and friends.

In addition to the traditional Irish greetings, several Christmas customs are still observed in Ireland. Mistletoe is hung around the house in Ireland to ward off bad spirits. The practice of exchanging kisses under the mistletoe is another part of the holiday celebration. It’s said to keep the couple together for a long time.

An important element of Irish culture and history revolves around the celebration of Christmas. However, for guests, there is nothing better than being able to communicate one’s holiday wishes in the beautiful Irish Gaelic language.

How To Say Merry Christmas In Irish Gaelic

1. Nollaig shona dhuit! – Happy Christmas!/Merry Christmas!

This is the standard Christmas greeting in Irish, pronounced as something like /Null-eg hunna with/. This Irish greeting is used only when wishing one person a merry Christmas in Gaelic.

When you’re buying Christmas cards in Ireland, you will most likely see “Nollaig Shona” often. This Irish Gaelic expression for  Merry Christmas translates to  “Merry Christmas to you,” rather than simply  “Merry Christmas.”

2. Nollaig shona dhaoibh! – Happy Christmas! (To more than one person)

This is how you say Merry Christmas in Irish Gaelic when addressing more than one person. This greeting is pronounced as /Null-eg hunna gheev/.

Single-person “you” (dhuit) is distinct from multiple-person “you” (dhaoibh) in the Irish language. When using this and the greeting above, you have to be careful to avoid any misunderstandings or awkward situations.

You may use this in a card or letter for family members, as well as social media posts and messages to your followers or a group chat.

Just like in the singular “Merry Christmas” in Irish, Nollaig Shona Daoibh also translates to  “Merry Christmas to you” but is addressed to a group of people.

3. How to respond if someone says Merry Christmas to you in Irish

There are different responses that you may give when someone wishes you a Happy Christmas in Irish (Nollaig Shona Dhuit):

• Gurab Amhlaidh Duit/Daoibh – The same to you

Unless you’re Grinch or Krampus, this is your standard response when someone sends you their best wishes for the holidays. As a general rule, it means “the same to you,” and the pronunciation is guh-rub ow-lig jeev/jeev.

Gurab Amhlaidh Duit/Daoibh is how you express your wishes for a happy holiday season to family and friends, as well.

A variation of this expression is Go mba hé duit, pronounced as Gom ah hey ditch.

• Nollaig Mhaith Chugat – a Good Christmas to you.

This is the standard way to respond when someone says Nollaig Shona Dhuit. Nollaig Mhaith Chugat is pronounced as Null-eg Mah HU-gut.

• Nollaig Shona Dhuit! – Merry Christmas to you

Of course, you may also just echo the greeting and simply say ‘Merry Christmas to you’ back.

4. Other useful Christmas Expressions in Irish Gaelic

• Crann Nollag (Crann Null-eg) – Christmas Tree
• Oíche Nollag (Each-ha Null-eg) – Christmas Eve
• Lá Nollag / Lá Nollag Mór (Loh Null-eg Mor) – Christmas Day
• Cárta Nollag (Kar-tah Null-eg) – Christmas Card
• Daidí na Nollag (Dahi-dee Null-eg) – Father Christmas
• Go mbeirimid beo ag an am seo arís (guh meh-rim-eed be-o egg un am shuh ar-eesh) – May we all be alive at this time next year . This is the traditional Christmas toast in Irish Gaelic. 

Christine Rogador

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. I also lived in 3 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.

irelandtravelguides.com

Do you want to learn how to say happy father’s day in Irish Gaelic? 

Father’s Day is observed to recognize the significance of fathers in our lives, and it is an occasion that is celebrated worldwide. Father’s Day, being a special day that only became popular in the 20th-century l, traces its roots to Roman times.  The Romans had a special day to honor fathers on the second Sunday in February, but it was only for those who have already died. It was more of a commemoration than a celebration.

How To Say Happy Father’s Day in Gaelic

These days, Father’s Day is observed on the third Sunday in June, which is the most popular date. Although this date was first honored in the United States, the celebration has now expanded throughout the world.

The first formal Father’s Day was celebrated on the third Sunday in June in 1966 when President Lyndon B. Johnson declared it to be the first national Father’s Day in American history. President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.

When it comes to celebrating Father’s Day in Ireland, it’s all about fun and excitement! People make the most of this special day to pay tribute to their fathers and express their love and respect for them. Like in many other countries across the globe, father’s Day in Ireland may also involve lavishing their fathers with gifts and providing them a day off.

Taking fathers out to eat or serving them breakfast in bed is a common present given by children of any age to their father. Giving money or doing good deeds in honor of deceased fathers, meanwhile is a way for some people to show their respect.

Even though every country has a distinct date for celebrating Father’s Day, the day is generally marked in the same way all around the world: by giving gifts to fathers and taking part in family gatherings.

Father in Gaelic

Here are some useful Garlic names to remember when addressing those fatherly figures in our lives.

Names for Father

The majority of Irish youngsters refer to their fathers in English. Dad, Daddy, and Da are among the many names that fall under this category. Athair is the Irish Gaelic term for dad (AH her). Daida (DAH dee) or Daida, pronounced as Daa-di, is the most common name for dads in Irish-speaking households.

Names for Grandfather

Most Irish children refer to their grandfathers as Granda or Grandad. There are numerous Irish words for grandfather, and a few examples include Seanathair, Athair mór, and Athair Cronna (AH her KREE un na). These names mean “grandfather,” “elder father,” and “father of the heart,” respectively. For the most part, grandchildren would refer to their grandfathers as Daideó (Dado) or Móra (MO ree).

Father-in-law

Another fatherly figure in a person’s life, particularly for the married ones, is the father-in-law. In Gaelic, the father of your spouse is called

Athair céile, which is pronounced as ah-hirr kay-leh.

Happy Father’s Day in Gaelic

How do you say Happy Father’s Day in Gaelic? There is only one Gaelic expression that you can use, but there are various phrases you can add to make your greeting extra special.

1.  Lá na nAithreacha sona duit    

This is the standard Father’s Day greeting in Gaelic that can be used to directly address your father. It is used in both formal and informal situations and is pronounced as

Law nah nite-a-huh sun-a ditch.

2.  Lá na nAithreacha

This is how you say Father’s Day in Gaelic, which is pronounced as Law nah nite-a-huh.

3.  More Father’s Day messages

To celebrate and honor your dad this father’s day, here are messages you can add to the standard Father’s Day greeting, to make it even more meaningful.

• We love, you Dad – Táimid i ngrá leat a Dheadaí pronounced as thaw-muidj ih ngraw li-ath ah yadd-ee 
• Dearest, Dad, hope you gave a grand day! – A Dheadaí, mo chroí, tá súil agam go mbeidh lá thar chinn agat! pronounced as ah yadd-ee, mo khree, thaw soo-il ah-gum guh my law hahr khinn ah-guth 
• Thank you – Go raibh maith agat, pronounced as Gur-uv mah ah-guth 
• Thanks a lot – Go raibh míle maith agat pronounced as Gur-uv mee-leh mah ah-guth
  
• Thanks for everything – Go raibh maith agat do ghach rud, pronounced as Gur-uv mah ah-guth doh ga-kh rud

Christine Rogador

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. I also lived in 3 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.

irelandtravelguides.com

Do you want to learn how to say happy mother’s day in Irish Gaelic? 

Every day, we are moved by the gratitude and love we have for our mothers and grandmothers. It is no surprise then that throughout decades, the observance of mother’s day has become increasingly popular. As a day set aside to honor our mothers, we have an opportunity to show them our affection and appreciation by sending them flowers or other presents.

In many countries, Mother’s Day is a widely observed holiday. Many countries in Europe and North America celebrate mothers on the second Sunday of May each year in honor of their mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, and even aunts.

Unlike in many other countries, Mother’s Day is celebrated differently in Ireland. The Irish observe Mother’s Day in March, while Mother’s Day in the US is held in May. This special day is often observed during the last Sunday of March, often during Lent.

Its goal is the same, however, regardless of when it is celebrated. Mother’s Day is still a time for families to show their gratitude for that special woman in their lives.

The observance of Mother’s Day in Ireland has religious origins.  The church wanted the faithful to rest from the severe observance of Lent on mid-lent Sunday. This break has since been celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day.

In this early version Mother’s Day, the church conducts masses in the cathedral in honor of Mary, Mother of Christ, as was the case in most Catholic countries. This day of observance can be traced back to the middle ages when poor children in Ireland were put to work in the households of the wealthy.

Every year, during Lent, these children were allowed one day off to visit their “Mother Church” to attend special masses for the Holy Virgin Mary. After visiting the church in their hometown, these children return to their mothers and present them with flowers they had collected on the journey back.

This “Mother’s Day” practice was discontinued in Ireland in the late 1700s.  However, it was revived post World War II with the support of Americans.  Mother’s Day in Ireland is now marked with flowers, presents and special dinners, and it is solely a day to honor moms.

Happy Mother’s Day In Irish Gaelic

What the Irish call their mothers

In Ireland, “mother” isn’t a word you’ll hear anyone use. If you listen closely to Irish people directly addressing or talking about their mothers, you will most likely often hear Mam or even Mom. Traditional, they use the word Mammy which is still popular in many parts of Ireland.

There are, of course, other terms of endearment, but use them at your own risk. To avoid offending an Irish mom, it’s preferable not to refer to her by her first and last name or by her nickname. The word ‘Mother,’ on the other hand, is reserved for those rare occasions when an Irish person may need to reprimand their mam. This is an extremely rare occurrence, and it’s also quite dangerous.

But if you really must use the word, the Irish or Gaelic for Mother is Máthair, which is pronounced as Maw-hir. Meanwhile, the popular and more common way to call Irish mothers is Mam, pronounced as mam.

Happy Mother’s Day In Irish Gaelic

1. Lá na Máithreacha sona duit

1.    Lá na Máithreacha sona duit

This is how you say “Happy Mother’s Day” in Gaelic, pronounced as Law nah maw-her-aka sun-a ditch. This is both formal and informal and can be used to greet every mom you know on this special occasion.

2. Lá na Máithreacha sona daoibh

When you are addressing a group of mothers, This is how you say “Happy Mother’s Day” in Gaelic, pronounced as Law nah maw-her-aka sun-a deev.

Note that the only word changed from the standard mother’s day greeting is duit which became daoibh, a term that pertains to a group. This may sound strange for most individuals, but might be useful for an event or in a group setting.

3. Lá Fhéile an Mháthair

This is how you say “Mothers Day” in Gaelic. If you are writing a message on a card and wanted to add a short note that expresses your appreciation as gratitude, here are a few useful expressions.

• Thank you – Go raibh maith agat, pronounced as Gur-uv mah ah-guth 
• Thanks a lot – Go raibh míle maith agat, pronounced as Gur-uv mee-leh mah ah-guth 
• Thanks for everything – Go raibh maith agat do ghach rud, pronounced as Gur-uv mah ah-guth doh ga-kh rud

Christine Rogador

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. I also lived in 3 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.

irelandtravelguides.com

Can you drink the tap water in Ireland? Read on to find out the answer!

The North Atlantic country of Ireland, sometimes known as the Emerald Isle, is separated from Great Britain by the North Channel, Irish Sea, and St. George’s Channel to the east of Ireland. Additionally, it is Europe’s third-biggest island and the second-largest island in the British Isles.

Visitors to Ireland are enchanted by the country’s verdant landscapes, thousands of castles, and iconic attractions. There’s a lot to see and do in Ireland, from the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher to Dublin’s Grafton Street and Trinity College’s historic halls. The most challenging part of planning your trip will be narrowing down your list of must-see sites.

Apart from your Irish itinerary, however, there are things you must be concerned about when you visit. You may have planned your trip down to the last detail, but have you ever considered an important health concern that’s worth looking at in any country you visit? Can you drink tap water in Ireland?

No, it is not safe to drink tap water in Ireland. Anywhere in the country, even in the major cities, you as a tourist should avoid drinking tap water.

There are still certain places in Europe where the water regulations haven’t expanded beyond the city or municipal level, making it possible for visitors to get sick by drinking the tap water there.

Samples from the kitchen faucet, which is often fed by a city well or waterworks system, are commonly used in Ireland for water purity testing. This water supply is safer than others because of a variety of rules. When it comes to bathroom faucet water, it’s more common to use cistern water, which is harder to control and can harbor a wide range of dangerous pathogens.

Public fountains, where locals fill jugs and glasses, should also be avoided in Ireland. Additionally, the quality of this water is uncontrolled, and it could be dangerous to consume.

Are there places in Ireland where tap water is relatively safe to drink?

Water from the kitchen sink can be used to make safe drinking water in places like Dublin, Cork, and Limerick. However, it is recommended that you drink bottled water if you are unsure about the source of the water or ice cubes that are put in your drink.

Ireland is a country where each town has its own water quality rules, which may or may not be helpful to tourists. Always remember that in Ireland, the risk associated with using tap water comes from the way it is tested and the source it comes from.

Dublin Tap Water

If you really must or there is no bottled water available and you are in a big city like Dublin, drinking tap water should be safe enough. Most hotels and restaurants in cities across the country also have water filtration systems, which ensure that the water is safe to drink.

Still, as a general safety precaution for tourists, you must stick with bottled water.

If you want to make sure that you always have safe drinking water ready while in Ireland, purchasing an effective water filter like this one is a must.

With this portable water filter, you are assured that you’re drinking only clean water which means you will be significantly safer. You’ll save a lot of money on medical bills if you get sick from something that was brought on by consuming contaminated water.

What can happen if you drink tap water in Ireland?

Since every town in Ireland has its system for supplying drinking water, you need to exercise caution when using the water.

Apart from travelers’ diarrhea, other serious illnesses in humans can flourish in any water supply, such as leptospirosis and Cryptosporidium.

● Leptospirosis – Waterborne leptospirosis is a major issue in rural regions due to the large concentration of livestock, rats, and dogs that inevitably accompany them.

In both domestic and wild animals, the disease is common, but when it reaches humans, the results can be devastating. Anyone who fishes, swims, or uses water in any way is the most at risk along with farmers, butchers, and sewage workers in Ireland.

● Cryptosporidium – As a parasite, Cryptosporidium is known to produce watery diarrhea and persistent cough in those who have little or no tolerance to it.

People who grew up in Ireland have built up a natural immunity to the disease as a result of living there and drinking the water. However, visitors with no immunity can become pretty sick when dehydrated.

Some Safety Reminders When Drinking Water in Ireland

Water contamination is an urgent issue in Ireland even though this seems out-of-date for a developed European country. If you’re planning a trip to Ireland, and you want to make sure that you don’t ingest potentially contaminated water, here are a few safety measures to follow:

● Try not to ingest water from the bathroom sink’s water supply. Use bottled water when brushing your teeth. When in the shower, try to always keep your mouth shut.

● Water or ice from an unknown source should not be consumed or ingested.

● If you’re in the countryside, remember to not drink tap water.

● Avoid pools or swimming in rivers and lakes. If you couldn’t avoid it, make sure you shower thoroughly in fresh water from a known clean place after swimming or canoeing.

What to do if you get sick after drinking tap water

If you have mild diarrhea, you should have bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) and anti-motility medication such as Imodiumhand on hand. These should also be included in your vacation first aid kit, along with a prescription antibiotic to treat stomach discomfort caused by contaminated water.

If the symptoms are too bothersome, you should consult a doctor. When you return to your own country, have an appointment with your doctor to ensure that there are no infections or other issues.

Christine Rogador

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. I also lived in 3 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.

irelandtravelguides.com