#learning irish

This can confuse people a lot when they're learning verbs, especially when they're taught with a mix of the dialects but each dialect is quite internally consistent with it.

This also applies to -idh as slender dh and slender gh have merged in every dialect.

In Connacht these are entirely silent, so in an unstressed syllable they're just pronounced like a schwa, a neutral vowel.

Cheannaigh (bought) -> Cheanna

Bhailigh (collected) -> Bhaile

Cuirfidh (will put) -> Cuirhe

Samhraidh (of summer) -> Samhra

In Ulster and Munster, the pronounciation is also a schwa when it is a verb form before a pronoun:

Cheannaigh sé (He bought) -> Cheanna sé

Cuirfidh sé (He will put) -> Cuirhe sé

But, if it isn't before a pronoun then it is pronounced like 'í' in Ulster and like 'ig' in Munster.

Cheannaigh Seán -> Cheannaí Seán (Ulster), Cheannaig Seán (Munster)

Nigh (Wash) -> Ní (Ulster), Nig (Munster)

(Please comment if you have any others to recommend)

1.

There are three levels of difficulty on this podcast (the original episode, an leagan níos simplí & i bhfad níos simplí) so it’s suitable for anyone from beginner to fluent

2.

My favourite one, especially the episode ‘an Ghaeilge, ár náire’ (which is so important for anyone interested in Irish to listen to)

3.

Lots of interviews and also episodes about self-care which is pretty unique for an Irish language podcast!

4.

Current affairs, especially relating to the Gaeltachts and Irish language

5.

I will be honest and say I haven’t listened to many of these, but the ones I have were very entertaining! It’s aimed at fluent speakers but advanced learners could also try and listen.

6.

(This title still makes me laugh)

Podcast about the Irish language and linguistics, with a new guest every episode

7.

The main news stories of every week in simpler Irish

facilitating my own Irish lessons each Wednesday for 1+ hour(s). Usually I go for 2 or 3 hours before my head shuts off.

Learning from: Buntús na Gaeilge, Irish On Your Own, various resources via forums, blogs, educators’ free lessons, YouTube videos & websites especially for checking pronunciation and fortifying the textbook lessons & gathering vocab

Dialect focus: West Ulster

Currently learning: Grammar basics bbyyyy! The VSO sentence structure/basics of building my first sentences, spelling of Irish words/“caol le caol agus leathan le leathan” & consonant combos, diphthongs, eclipses, lenition, mutations of words, The Copula, Modh Coinníollach, An tuiseal ginideach….. I’m having to do a simultaneous refresher in grammar as Béarla too which I famously struggled with in grade school over a decade ago, so 🤪 staying with it is key and so I will even though realistically I accept I’ll be likely toiling with just this for the remainder of this year at least. Already been at all that for the past few months, so I’m goin slowly but hopefully surely

My little goal each week: translate a single sentence at least

────୨ৎ──── My favourite

Ulster Irish resources.

This is a great place to get started- im still a beginner so im by no means a pro at allll, if anyone who’s more advanced wants to leave any tips pls 100% do! 🤍

♡ Join a class/find a teacher either online or face to face- this is the best way to learn and put your knowledge to use as Irish is a difficult language to get immersed with

♡ Cúpla focal le Dan on tiktok- his pronunciation of certain words & phrases aren’t 100% as he is a learner himself but the structure of his lessons is amazing for beginners.

♡ ’Now you’re talking’ on youtube- old but still so useful

♡ Teanglann.ie and Foclóir.ie helps with pronunciation

♡ Cultúrlann - see what’s on in your area

♡ Radio Fáilte- i like listening in background and noticing certain words being repeated and googling what they are

♡ If you know anyone who speaks it, practice with them and don’t be shy to ask questions

♡ Follow Irish speaking influencers on social media

So...I could really use some help

I'm genuinely interested in learning Irish, but there are so many resources online that I honestly don't know where to start

I'm worried about picking materials that might not be correct or that won't help me build a proper foundation (grammar, pronunciation, etc.)

If you're a native speaker or someone experienced with learning Irish, I'd be really grateful for any recommendations for beginner materials (books, courses, YouTube channels, anything that helped you)

Thank you so much in advance! 🩷