Inspirational Irish Words And Sayings

March 28, 2020 by Irish American Mom 28 Comments

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Many inspirational Irish words and sayings are found in the wise old words of our ancestors. Irish language words are lyrical and soothing and can bring peace and calm.

My Irish ears find solace in these uplifting sounds, and in the lilting syllables of the Irish language, one of the six Gaelic languages.

And so today, let's examine the power of Irish words to soothe our troubles, as we take a look at some inspirational Irish phrases.

The Comforting Sounds of the Irish Language
Aoibhneas Croí
Croí
Sláinte agus Aoibhneas
Neart
Cumhacht
Daingean
Dóchas
Misneach
Sólás
Suaimhneas

The Comforting Sounds of the Irish Language

Here's an insightful quotation from John Millington Synge, an Irish playwright. He truly sums up the power hidden in the sounds of our mother tongue.

"There is no language like the Irish for soothing and quieting."

John Millington Synge

The Irish Lullaby is a world famous song first released by Chauncy Olcott way back in 1913. It's famous for that lilting combination of syllables "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral," which pays tribute to the melodic sounds of the Irish language.

"Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Hush now don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
That's an Irish lullaby."

James Royce Shannon (1881–1946)

And so, let's take a look at other Irish words that soothe the soul and quiet fears today, and everyday.

Bookmark this page, and return whenever you need to find a little comfort to help you on life's journey.

Aoibhneas Croí

"Aoibhneas croí" means joy of heart or gladness of heart.

Pronunciation: Eev-ness kree

Text, letter — Gladness of Heart in Irish

The word "aoibhneas" is far more powerful than its English equivalent of joy or gladness. It denotes a spiritual joy, deep within the soul.

Here's a beautiful old Irish saying which draws on this joyful word. In English it goes like this...

"Gladness of heart is the very life of man,

cheerfulness prolongs his days."

Here's the beautiful original Irish saying:

"Maireann an duine ar aoibhneas croí,

agus is fad saoil dó an t-áthas."

Here's the phonetic pronunciation:

Mar-in on din-ah er eev-ness kree,

Ah-gus iss fah-dh seel doh on thaw-hus.

You can listen here...

May you find joy of heart, your very own "aoibhneas croí," a priceless treasure in difficult times.

Croí

Croí is pronounced kree, and it means heart in Irish. The long -eee sound at the end lends a crooning, emotional tone to the word.

It's used in terms of endearment. Listen to the lovely long and broad vowel sounds of this statement.

A rún mo chroí.

A stór, mo chroí.

Phonetic pronunciation: Ah roon muh kree.

Ah store muh kree

which means...

My heart’s beloved.

You can listen here...

Another lovely phrase in times of trouble is ....

Ná caill do chroí.

Phonetic pronunciation: Naw kye-ul duh kree

which means...

Don’t lose heart.

You can listen here....

Here's a lovely way to say I love you in Irish using the word croí for heart. When you say...

A chúisle mo chroí...

it means

The pulse of my heart or the beat of my heart.

Phonetic pronunciation goes like this - Ah koo-shlah muh kree.

Another form of this is to call someone...

Mo Chuisle

Chuisle mo Chroí

This phrase was made famous in the movie "Million Dollar Baby" with Hilary Swank and Clint Eastwood.

If you say these words to your soul mate or soul friend you are addressing...

Mo Anam Chara

which literally means friend of my soul. Phonetic pronunciation is muh on-uhm khar-ah.

You will notice that there is a h after the c in the word cara. This is because cara or friend is in the genetive form. The soul is possessive of the friend so a h is placed as the second letter.

In years gone by, old Irish writing used a dot over a letter to indicate the genetive case. When Irish script was modernized this dot was replaced with a h. Unfortunately you will often find the h missing on the internet and this phrase is recorded as mo anam cara, which is not grammatically correct.

If you look closely at the Irish scholar John O'Donohue's book, Anam Cara, there is a dot over the c, so it technically is Anam Chara.

Sláinte agus Aoibhneas

The word "sláinte" (pronounced slaw-in-che) is what we say when we toast someone in Ireland, and it literally means health or wellness.

However when we combine the words "sláinte agus aoibhneas" together they refer to health of soul and body.

'Aoibhneas' (eev-ness) is a powerful little word that adds a spiritual aspect to phrases. It's one of my favorite words in the Irish language.

Here's a saying that refers to the links between health and joy.

"No treasure greater than a healthy body;

no happiness, than a joyful heart."

Here's the original Irish saying:

Is fearr sláinte choirp ná saibhreas ar bith,

agus ní sháraíonn aon aoibhneas an croí suairc.

Here's the phonetic pronunciation:

Iss far slaw-in-che kurp naw sev-ir-us er bih,

Ah-gus nee haw-ree-un eh-un eev-ness on kree su-erk.

You can listen here...

Slán (pronounced slawn) is the Irish word for saying goodbye. We say slán leat (pronounced slawn lath) which quite literally means safety or health be with you.

The person who is staying says slán leat, but the person who is leaving says, "slán agat" (pronounced slawn ah-guth). This literally means and health with you too, but can be translated as see you.

Neart

'Neart' (pronounced n-yart) is the Irish word for strength. It's a sharp little word, that crisply conveys its meaning.

Here is a saying, that is used widely by Irish organizations to underline the importance of teamwork.

"There's strength in unity."

Here's the original Irish saying:

"Ní neart go cur le chéile."

Here's the phonetic pronunciation:

Nee n-yart guh kur leh kay-leh

You can listen here...

Let's all be strong together.

This saying is similar to another wonderful Irish saying that goesl like this -

"Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine."

which means

In the shelter of each other, people survive.

Phonetic pronunciation goes like this: er skaw ah kay-lah ah var-un na dhee-nah.

A rowing team in a boat on a text graphic — Strength in Unity

Cumhacht

'Cumhacht' (pronounced koo-ock-th) is the Irish word for power. Even its utterance denotes a great force.

Here's a lovely phrase that resonates today.

"Power rests in the hands of the people."

Here's the original Irish saying:

"Is i lámha na ndaoine atá an chumhacht."

Here's the phonetic pronunciation:

Iss ih law-va nah nee-un-na ah-thaw on koo-uck-th.

You can listen here...

Remember this as you wash your hands today.

Daingean

'Daingean' (pronounced dhang-un) is the Irish word for firm and conveys steadfastness and being firm of purpose - an attribute so important in today's world.

Here's a powerful phrase of unity appropriate in current circumstances.

"We stand steadfastly together."

Here's the original Irish saying:

"Seasaimís go daingean le chéile."

Here's the phonetic pronunciation:

Shah-ss-ih-meesh guh dhang-un leh kay-lah.

You can listen here...

A graphic with hands shaped like a heart to frame — Old Irish Saying

Dóchas

Dóchas (pronounced doh-khuss) is the Irish word for hope. Such an inspirational little word.

The word hope, always reminds my of the Prayer of Saint Francis, where he lists all the amazing traits and attributes that bring success in life.

Some may not agree with me about the meaning of true success, but this is my daily prayer.

Let's examine the first verse of this lovely prayer in Irish.

Paidir Phroinsias Naofa

Déan gléas chun síochána díom id láimh, a Thiarna
San áit a bhfuil fuath, go gcuire mé an grá;
San áit a bhfuil ciontacht, go gcuire mé pardún;
San áit a bhfuil amhras, go gcuire mé creideamh;
In áit na éadóchas, go gcuire me an dóchas;
In áit na dorchadas, go gcuire me solas,
San áit in a bhfuil brón, go gcuire me lúcháir.

I won't write all that out phonetically, but you can listen here.

And, of course here is the translation of these beautiful words.

The Prayer of Saint Francis.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

May these words sow hope in your hearts today.

Misneach

'Misneach' (pronounced mish-nock) just had to be included in this list of inspiring Irish words. In dictionaries it translates simply into the English word 'courage.'

But for Irish people, and especially those who speak the Irish language, this word encompasses so much more than a little bit of courage.

In one little word it expresses faith, hope, bravery, endurance, valor. and power, with a caring, and sympathetic twist. Wow! All that in one little word.

And my message to you today is ...

"Don't lose courage."

Here's the original Irish saying:

"Ná caill do mhisneach."

Here's the phonetic pronunciation:

Naw ky-ull duh vish-nock.

You can listen here...

Sólás

'Sólás' (pronounced so-law-ss) is the Irish word for solace. It's very similar to its English equivalent, but those long drawn out vowels give it great depth of meaning to my Celtic ears.

Here's an old saying that hopefully will bring solace today.

"The place where there is sorrow,

solace is with it."

Here's the original Irish saying:

"An áit a mbíonn an dólás,

bíonn an sólás ina aice."

Here's the phonetic pronunciation:

On awe-tch ah mee-un on doh-law-ss,

bee-un on sow-law-ss in-ah ah-keh.

You can listen here...

In other words "every cloud has a silver lining."

And here's one more soothing Irish word to wrap up ....

Text and Celtic knot border — Suaimhneas

Suaimhneas

Suaimhneas (pronounced soo-iv-ness) denotes peace, tranquility, and rest. I hope that in these times you can find 'suaimhneas.'

Here is our mantra for now...

"Stay at home, in peace and comfort."

Here's how that is said in Irish:

"Fanaigí sa bhaile, faoi shó agus faoi shuaimhneas."

Here's the phonetic pronunciation:

Fahn-egg-ee sah wal-yah, fwee ho ah-gus fwee hoo-iv-ness.

You can listen here...

And for all those who have lost this earthly fight, and are now in heaven, let's pray this Irish invocation for eternal rest which also starts with the comforting word 'suaimhneas.'

"The eternal peace of heaven be with them."

Here's the original Irish saying:

"Suaimhneas síoraí na bhflaitheas dóibh."

Here's the phonetic pronunciation:

Soo-iv-ness shee-ree nah vlah-hus dee-uv.

You can listen here...

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you find inspiration in these lovely Irish words, and have enjoyed exploring our Irish culture and language today.

If you like Irish proverbs you might like my post on Irish proverbs about proverbs. There you'll find wisdom and many a good word from the Emerald Isle.

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