Karly

If you follow the blog’s Instagram, you’ll know that for this month’s graphics, we are really leaning into the whole St. Patrick’s Day aesthetic, and thus with this post, I’m starting a little mini-run of Irish posts. Now, as many of you know, I lived in Ireland when I was 18 and I lived with an Irish host family. They were lovely and I was endlessly fascinated with their accent and their expressions, as well as their culture. Many times, I asked my then 13-year-old host sister what things meant or why they would say that, or even found myself misusing said expressions. Don’t fret though, by the end of my stay I was proficient in Irish expressions and I had even dabbled in learning Gaeilge.

English is often thought of as a global language, shaped by centuries of trade, conquest, and migration. One of the most fascinating influences on English comes from Irish—both the Irish language (Gaeilge) and Hiberno-English, the distinct variety of English spoken in Ireland. From everyday words to idioms and sentence structures, Irish has left a lasting imprint on how English is spoken, especially in Ireland and beyond.

Words with Irish Origins

Many words in English come directly from Irish, often without speakers realising their origins. Some of the most surprising include:

• Brogue – From the Irish bróg (meaning shoe), this word originally referred to a thick Irish or Scottish accent, possibly because of how English sounded when spoken by native Irish speakers.
• Smithereens – Likely from the Irish smidiríní, meaning little fragments or bits.
• Whiskey – Derived from the Irish uisce beatha, meaning “water of life.”
• Slogan – Comes from sluagh-ghairm, meaning “battle cry.”
• Galore – From go leor, meaning “plenty” or “abundance.”
• Tory – Originally an Irish word (tóraí), meaning outlaw or bandit, which later became associated with political factions in Britain.
• Craic – From the Irish craic or crack, meaning fun, entertainment, or enjoyable conversation, now widely used in Ireland and beyond.

Hiberno-English Expressions

The influence of Irish is especially strong in the way English is spoken in Ireland. Some unique sentence structures and phrases come directly from Irish grammar:

• “I’m after doing that” – This comes from the Irish grammatical construction Tá mé tar éis…, which expresses a recent action. In standard English, it means “I have just done that.”
• “It’s grand” – In Hiberno-English, “grand” means “fine” or “okay.” I am known for saying this VERY often, for me things are always grand rather than fine.
• “Sure, it’ll be grand” – The word “sure” is often used at the start of sentences as a kind of reassurance, a direct influence from the Irish use of sure in conversation.
• “What’s the story?” – A common greeting in Ireland, mirroring the Irish Céard é an scéal? (literally, “What’s the story?”)
• “Your man” / “Your one” – Used to refer to a person whose name isn’t mentioned, this mirrors the Irish way of referring to people with a similar structure.

The Melody of Irish in English

The rhythm and intonation of Hiberno-English also show Irish influence. Irish is a VSO (verb-subject-object) language, which sometimes results in unique sentence patterns in English. Additionally, Irish speakers tend to emphasize certain syllables and use rising intonation patterns that differ from standard English. This influence has contributed to the famously musical quality of Irish English.

A Living Legacy

The Irish influence on English is not just a relic of history—it’s still evolving. With the revival of Gaeilge and the continued strength of Irish culture worldwide, elements of Irish continue to weave their way into English. Whether you use “grand” to mean “fine” or enjoy a bit of “craic,” you’re tapping into centuries of linguistic exchange.

Next time you hear an Irish phrase or turn of speech, take a moment to appreciate the history and hidden connections between these two languages. You might be speaking more Irish than you realise!