What Language is Spoken in Ireland?

If you’re planning a trip to Ireland, you may be wondering: Do people actually speak Irish here?

The answer is yes! Irish is the national and first official language of the Republic of Ireland. While English is the language you’ll hear most often in daily life, Irish remains a living and important part of Irish identity, culture, education, music, storytelling, and local traditions.

For many visitors, hearing Irish for the first time is one of the most memorable parts of visiting the island. Whether it’s road signs written in Gaeilge, place names that Tony will explain along the way, or locals greeting each other with a cheerful “Dia dhuit,” the language is woven into everyday Irish life.

So Why Don’t You Hear Irish Everywhere?

This surprises many visitors: almost everyone in Ireland learns Irish in school.

Children study Gaeilge from primary school right through secondary school (until they are around 17 or 18 years old) before heading to college/university or work. For generations, Irish has been a core subject in the Irish education system, meaning most Irish people can speak at least some of the language, even if they’re not fully fluent.

However, English became the dominant everyday language in Ireland over centuries for historical and political reasons. Today, most people naturally default to English in daily conversation, especially in cities. That said, Irish is still very much alive.

In certain regions called the Gaeltacht, especially parts of counties Kerry, Galway, Donegal, Mayo, and Cork - Irish is spoken daily in homes, pubs, schools, and local businesses. If you visit places like Dingle in County Kerry or Connemara in County Galway, you’ll notice Irish everywhere: on menus, street signs, storefronts, and in casual conversation between locals.

Even outside the Gaeltacht, Irish culture is deeply connected to the language. Songs, poetry, blessings, traditional music sessions, and local storytelling often include Gaeilge.

Look Out For Irish (Gaeilge) Everywhere You Go

Even if you don’t hear it constantly, you’ll definitely see Irish throughout your travels.

Here are a few places visitors notice Gaeilge most often:

• Road signs are usually bilingual, with Irish appearing first

• Town and village names often come from original Irish words

• Government services use Irish names and terminology

• Ireland’s postal service is called 'An Post'

• The police service is called 'Gardaí'

• The Irish parliament is known as the 'Oireachtas'

• Airports, train stations, and public announcements often include Irish
  

You hear Tony & Naomi using both English and Irish place names during your tour.

For example:

• Dublin = Baile Átha Cliath

• Dingle = An Daingean

• Galway = Gaillimh

• Killarney = Cill Airne
  

Learning a few words before your trip is a fun way to connect with the culture, and locals always appreciate the effort!

Everyone Knows the Basics, And So Should You!

Even if many Irish people don’t use Gaeilge every day, everyone recognises common greetings and phrases. Knowing a few simple expressions can add a lot to your experience.

Here are some of the most useful Irish pleasantries to start with:

English	Irish	Pronunciation
Hello	Dia dhuit	Dee-ah gwit
Hello (reply)	Dia is Muire dhuit	Dee-ah iss Mwir-ah gwit
Good morning	Maidin mhaith	Mah-jin wah
Goodbye	Slán	Slawn
Please	Le do thoil	Leh duh hull
Thank you	Go raibh maith agat	Guh rev mah ah-gut
You’re welcome	Tá fáilte romhat	Taw fall-cha row-at
Cheers!	Sláinte!	Slawn-cha
How are you?	Conas atá tú?	Cun-us a-taw too
I’m well	Tá mé go maith	Taw may guh mah
I'm not well	Níl mé go maith	Neel may guh mah
Yes	Sea	Sha
No	Níl	Neel
Irish	Gaeilge	Gayl-geh

Don’t worry about perfect pronunciation. Irish people genuinely appreciate visitors making the effort.

Ordering Food or a Drink in Gaeilge

If you’re visiting Dingle, Galway, or anywhere along the Wild Atlantic Way, you may want to try a few practical phrases in the pub or restaurant.

Here are some easy ones to remember:

English	Irish	Pronunciation
A pint please	Pionta, le do thoil	Pyun-ta leh duh hull
Cheers!	Sláinte!	Slawn-cha
I would like..	Ba mhaith liom..	Baw wha lum
The menu please	An biachlár, le do thoil	Un bee-uh-clawr
Delicious	Blásta!	Blawsta
Another one please	Ceann eile, le do thoil	Kyown ell-eh
Water	Uisce	Ish-ka
Coffee	Caife	Caf-fa
Whiskey	Uisce beatha	Ish-ka bah-ha

Fun fact: the Irish word for whiskey — uisce beatha — literally means “water of life.”

Gaelic or Irish - Which Is Correct?

Visitors often ask whether they should say “Gaelic” or “Irish.”

In Ireland, most locals simply say:

• “Irish”

• or “Gaeilge” (the Irish word for the language)

“Gaelic” isn’t technically wrong, but it’s used less commonly in Ireland itself. In Scotland, “Scottish Gaelic” refers to a related but different language.

If you say “Irish,” you’ll sound perfectly natural here.

A Language That Connects Past and Present

Irish is one of Europe’s oldest living languages, with roots stretching back more than 2,000 years. While modern Ireland is a highly English-speaking country, Gaeilge still carries enormous cultural importance.

You’ll encounter it in:

• Music sessions in traditional pubs

• Celtic folklore and mythology

• Poetry and literature

• Sports like Gaelic football and hurling

• Place names across the island

• Everyday expressions and sayings

• And you will hear Tony & Naomi speaking it to the locals
  

For many visitors, learning even a handful of words creates a deeper connection to Ireland beyond the postcard scenery.

By the end of your trip, you will have your 'Cúpla Focal' (few words) to bring home alongside stories and memories from your trip with Wild Irish Tours.