24 Common Irish Sayings and Meanings

Written by Lulu O'Sullivan

Hi everyone. Greetings from a very sunny spring-like Dublin. So last week I shared my week-long Irish road trip blog to give you some travel ideas if you're planning a trip to Ireland this year. If you do find yourself in the Emerald Isle, chances are you'll find yourself in an Irish pub. Irish people have a unique relationship with the English language so while there you may hear some common Irish sayings and wonder what on earth people are talking about! So here's a list of some of the most commonly used Irish sayings, Irish slang words and their meanings!

Common Irish Phrases

1. Your “oul fella” and your “oul wan"
These terms refer to your father and your mother respectively

2. “Sleeven”
A sleeven is a sly or underhanded person

3. Fluthered
Very very drunk!

4. Happy Out
Content in your current surroundings

5. Awful good
In Ireland awful can also mean very as in "the weather was awful good"

6. Quare
Derived from the word queer, also another word for very

7. Donkeys Years
Refers to an awful lot of years !

8. Any Use?
Was it good?

9. The Jacks
The bathroom

10. Arseways
If something is done the wrong way it's done arseways

11. Go way outta that
An expression of disbelief or refusal

12 A whale of a time
A really good time

13 “Sure look it”
Commonly used and fits in after any sentence meaning we’ll carry on or get on with things

14 “Sure Listen”
Similar to the above while not actually meaning"listen to me"

15 “Ara”
Common in rural Ireland. It fits before your name if they don’t believe you, are disappointed, surprised and just about any other feeling

16. Its grand
Its fine

17. The craic was 90
The fun and atmosphere was excellent

18. I will yeah
Said when the person has no intention on doing what you just asked them to do

19. A bag of tayto
A packet of crisps

20. I’m knackered
You're exhausted, very tired

21. Great drying out
The weather is nice and it's great day to dry the clothes on a washing line

22. Feck off
A less offensive version of F*** off

23. Will you have a mineral?
Will you have a soft drink?

24 I’m going on the gargle/piss/batter
Your going out for a drink, and you may not return for days

So there you have it. Memorize the above Irish sayings and you'll fit right in!

See you next week

Slán go fóill!

Lulu.

LULU O'SULLIVAN

Hi everyone. I'm Lulu O Sullivan and I founded The Irish Store in 2011 fuelled by my passion for all things Irish; its places, its people, its culture and its craft. At The Irish Store we are dedicated to bringing you, our worldwide community of valued customers, the very finest Ireland has to offer. Thanks for dropping by!

27 comments

Andrea Barry Mar 02, 2025 at 21:08

Greetings Lulu.

One Irish friend they will take a winter for me.

If I wanted. What does that mean ?

Reply

Lulu O'Sullivan Jul 08, 2024 at 13:27

Hi Sam,

To “wet a baby’s head” refers to celebrating the birth of a baby with an alcoholic drink or two!

Kind regards,

Lulu.

Reply