Lesson 1: Greetings and Everyday Irish (Ulster Gaelic)

Welcome to Lesson One

In this first lesson, you will learn real spoken Irish as it is used in Donegal and Ulster.
You do not need any previous Irish to begin.

👉 Important:

• Do not worry about grammar

• Do not try to be perfect

• Focus on listening, repeating, and understanding meaning

Irish is learned by the ear first, not the eye.

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How to Use This Lesson (Read This First)

1. Read the Irish phrase aloud

2. Say the pronunciation out loud (slowly at first)

3. Read the English meaning

4. Repeat the phrase again

5. Move on — do not memorise everything in one go

Speaking Irish badly is part of learning Irish properly.

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🔹 Part 1: Greetings and Basics

These are the first words you should know. They are used every day.

Practice

Say this out loud:

Dia duit. Cad é mar tú?
Tá mé ceart go leor.

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🔹 Part 2: Everyday Conversation

These phrases let you ask simple questions and respond naturally.

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🔹 Part 3: Yes, No and Understanding

Irish answers do not work like English.
You don’t say “yes” or “no” to everything — but for now, use these naturally.

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🔹 Part 4: Natural Donegal Irish

These are very common, natural expressions you’ll hear in everyday speech.

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🔹 Part 5: Polite and Useful Phrases

These will help you sound natural and polite, even as a beginner.

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End of Lesson One

If you can:

• Greet someone

• Say how you are

• Say thank you

• Ask a simple question

👉 You are already speaking Irish.

In the next lesson, we will:

• Introduce yourself properly

• Talk about where you’re from

• Build short, natural sentences

Lesson 2: Introducing Yourself and Where You Are From

Welcome to Lesson Two

In this lesson, you will learn how to:

• Say who you are

• Say where you are from

• Say where you live

• Put together short, natural Irish sentences

You still do not need grammar rules.
We are building confidence and flow first.

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How to Use This Lesson

1. Read each Irish sentence out loud

2. Say the pronunciation slowly

3. Read the English meaning

4. Say the Irish sentence again

5. Try changing one word only

Do not rush.
Do not try to memorise everything.

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🔹 Part 1: Saying Who You Are

These phrases are used constantly in everyday Irish.

Practice

Say this aloud:

Is mise Seán. Cad is ainm duit?

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🔹 Part 2: Saying Where You Are From

This is one of the most important patterns in Irish.

Practice

Change only the place:

Is as ______ mé.

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🔹 Part 3: Saying Where You Live

This tells people where you are living now.

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🔹 Part 4: Putting It Together

Now we join ideas into natural spoken Irish.

👉 Notice how Irish prefers short sentences, not long explanations.

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🔹 Part 5: Useful Small Words

These help your sentences sound natural.

Example

Is as Éirinn mé agus tá mé anseo anois.

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Practice Exercise (Very Important)

Say this out loud, slowly:

1. Is mise…

2. Is as… mé.

3. Tá mé i mo chónaí…

Say it every day for one week.

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End of Lesson Two

If you can:

• Say your name

• Say where you are from

• Say where you live

Then you are speaking Irish properly, even if it feels slow.

In Lesson Three, you will learn:

• Talking about other people

• Simple past and present ideas

• Everyday Donegal expressions

Lesson 3: Talking About Other People and Everyday Situations

Welcome to Lesson Three

In this lesson, you will learn how to:

• Talk about other people

• Say who someone is

• Say how someone is

• Describe simple everyday situations

• Use Irish more naturally in conversation

You will now begin to think in Irish, not translate word for word.

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How to Use This Lesson

1. Read the Irish sentence out loud

2. Say the pronunciation slowly

3. Read the English meaning

4. Repeat the Irish again

5. Change only one word at a time

Do not rush.
Do not worry about mistakes.

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🔹 Part 1: Talking About Other People

You already know how to talk about yourself.
Now you will talk about him, her, and them.

Important

• sé = he

• sí = she

• siad = they

Say them slowly and clearly.

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🔹 Part 2: Asking About Other People

These questions are used constantly in conversation.

Practice

Say this out loud:

Cad é mar atá sí? Tá sí ceart go leor.

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🔹 Part 3: Saying Who Someone Is

Now you can describe relationships and roles.

Important

Irish uses is for identity.
Do not overthink it. Use the pattern.

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🔹 Part 4: Everyday Situations

These phrases describe what is happening now.

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🔹 Part 5: Talking About Family and People You Know

Very useful and very natural.

Say these slowly.
Irish sounds better when not rushed.

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🔹 Part 6: Putting It All Together

Now we build real spoken sentences.

Read them slowly.
Say them out loud.

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Practice Exercise

Say this aloud every day:

1. Is é mo chara é.

2. Tá sé ceart go leor.

3. Tá sé anseo anois.

Then change:

• sé to sí

• anseo to ansin

• cara to múinteoir

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End of Lesson Three

You can now:

• Talk about yourself

• Talk about other people

• Ask how people are

• Describe simple situations

That is real Irish conversation.

In Lesson Four, you will learn:

• Talking about the past in a simple way

• Saying what you did

• Common Donegal expressions for everyday life