Irish Sayings - Irish Phrases***

Have fun reading our selection of famous funny, witty Irish Phrases and Traditional Irish Triads. The sayings are a great example of the spoken word used by Irish People. We have included a huge selection of Phrases, some witty, some sad, in fact something to suit every occasion.

The Irish are a nation of orators, many Irish people have the "Gift of the Gab" meaning they have the ability to talk non stop! The phrase "You Have Kissed the Blarney Stone" is often used to describe people who talk non stop! We hope you enjoy reading this selection of Phrases and traditional Irish Traids.

Irish Phrases
A phrase is a group of words that make up a sentence and over the years the Irish have become well known for their amazing gift of constructing some amazing phrases using their natural wit and humor. There are Irish phrases for every occasion, sad or happy! Read through our selection of Irish phrases, something for every occasion. The Irish have an amazing way to describe people, from the liar who is described as being able to "tell lies as fast as a horse would trot" to comparing a chilly day by the following phrase "There's a step-mother's breath in the air". Hundreds of Traditional, Funny, Witty phrases have been included in our section on Irish phrases, you are guaranteed to find something suitable!

Irish Sayings - Irish Phrases

Irish Sayings Index

Full Ireland Website

Gaelic: "Ní bhíonn airgead amadáin i bhfad ina phóca."
English: "A fool's money is not long in his pocket."
Meaning/Translation: A fool and his money are soon parted.

** Irish Phrases **

1 - Cad a dhéanfadh mac a' chait ach luch a mharú?

2 - "Is leor don dreoilín a nead"

3 - Cuir síoda ar ghabhar agus is gabhar i gcónaí é

4 - Dúirt bean liom go ndúirt bean léi

5 - Bíonn adharca fada ar na ba thar lear

6 - Briseann an dúchais trí shúile an chait

7 - Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir

8 - Is maith an scáthán súil charad

9 - Is minic a bhris béal duine a shrón

10 - Ní bhíonn saoi gan locht

11 - Ní thuigeann an seach an seang

12 - Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin

13 - Trína chéile a thógtar na caisleáin

14 - Ní hé lá na gaoithe lá na scoilb

15 - Ní mar a shíltear a bhítear

16 - Níor bhris focal maith fiacail riamh

17 - Is iomaí slí muc a mharú seachas a thachtadh le h-im

18 - Is iad na muca ciúine a itheann an mhin

19 - Is í ding di féin a scoileann an dair

20 - Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile

Irish Phrases - The Triads of Ireland
'Trecheng breth Féne' is Gaelic for ‘a triadic arrangement of the sayings of Irishmen’. The Triads of Ireland" are phrases where the compilation is arranged into three.

The Triads of Ireland are can be traced back to the ninth century. They are about a variety of topics including nature, geography, law as well as Irish custom and behaviour. Although the triad form did not originate in Ireland, it is very popular in Irish literature and can be very useful as a mnemonic device. A selection of witty, amusing and funny triads have been included. The following is an example of a triad:

"Three locks that lock up secrets: shame, silence, closeness."

Irish Triads

Three signs of a bad man: bitterness, hatred, cowardice.

Three keys that unlock thoughts: drunkenness, trustfulness, love.

Three things that make a wise man foolish: quarrelling, anger, drunkenness.

Three angry sisters: blasphemy, strife, foul-mouthedness.

Three things that are best for a chief: justice, peace, an army.

Three signs of ill-breeding: a long visit, staring, constant questioning.

Three candles that illume every darkness: truth, nature, knowledge.

Three sparks that kindle love: a face, demeanour, speech

Three rejoicings followed by sorrow: a wooer's, a thief's, a tale-bearer's.

Three excellences of dress: elegance, comfort, lastingness.

Three glories of a gathering: a beautiful wife, a good horse, a swift hound.

Three things that are worst for a chief: sloth, treachery, evil counsel.

Three things that ruin wisdom: ignorance, inaccurate knowledge, forgetfulness.

Three nurses of theft: a wood, a cloak, night

Three timid brothers: 'hush!' 'stop!' 'listen!'

Three false sisters: 'perhaps,' 'may be,' 'I dare say.'

Three aged sisters: groaning, chastity, ugliness.

Three youthful sisters: desire, beauty, generosity

Three things that constitute a physician: a complete cure; leaving no blemish behind; a painless examination.

Three nurses of high spirits: pride, wooing, drunkenness.