Helping Your Child with Irish – Even If You Don’t Speak It Yourself
Many parents feel unsure about how to help their child with Irish, especially if they don’t speak much themselves. But don’t worry — you can still do a lot to support your child’s learning and help them enjoy the language.
Here are some simple ways to build confidence, connection, and a love of Irish at home.
1. Use Simple Irish Every Day
Even a few small phrases make a big difference. Try one or two a week and build up slowly.
English Irish How to Say It
Hello Dia duit (DEE-a ditch)
How are you? Conas atá tú? (CUN-us a-TAH too)
I’m fine Tá mé go maith (TAW may guh mah)
Thank you Go raibh maith agat (Guh rev mah a-gut)
Good morning Maidin mhaith (MOY-jin wah)
Good night Oíche mhaith (EE-huh wah)
Well done! Maith thú! (Mah hoo)
What’s this? Cad é seo? (Cod ay shuh)
You can find pronunciation help at teanglann.ie
– click the little speaker icon beside each word to hear it said aloud.
2. Get Involved in Homework — Without Knowing the Answers
Even if you don’t understand the homework, your encouragement is powerful.
Try saying:
Taispeáin dom é! — “Show me!”
Inis dom faoi seo. — “Tell me about this.”
Tá tú ag déanamh go hiontach! — “You’re doing great!”
Ná bí buartha. — “Don’t worry.”
Let your child explain what they’re learning. When they teach you, they’re actually learning twice!
3. Use Fun, Free Online Supports
There are brilliant tools that make Irish easier (and more fun) for both of you:
Teanglann.ie
– Irish dictionary with sound clips and grammar help.
Duolingo – Irish Course
– fun, short lessons that you can do together.
Cúla4
– TG4’s Irish-language channel for children, full of cartoons and shows.
Raidió Rí-Rá
– pop music and chat as Gaeilge (in Irish).
Even 10 minutes a few times a week helps your child hear real Irish and enjoy it naturally.
4. Add a Little Gaeilge to Everyday Life
Make Irish part of your home in small, fun ways:
Label items: doras (door), fuinneog (window), leabhar (book).
Say Slán! (bye) as you leave for school.
Put on Cúla4 ar Scoil or an Irish song playlist while getting ready in the morning.
Try a “Gaeilge Night” once a week — speak as much Irish as you can over dinner!
Irish kids’ songs like “Bí ag Spraoi Liom”
or “An Haka Gaelach”
make it even more fun.
5. Focus on Positivity and Pride
Irish is part of your child’s heritage and identity. You don’t need perfect grammar or pronunciation — what matters most is showing that Irish is something to be proud of.
Say things like:
Tá mé bródúil asat. — “I’m proud of you.”
Is álainn an teanga í an Ghaeilge. — “Irish is a beautiful language.”
Tá sé go deas beagán Gaeilge a labhairt gach lá. — “It’s nice to speak a little Irish every day.”
Final Thought
Your encouragement, curiosity, and positivity are the most valuable tools of all. When children see you taking an interest, they learn that Irish isn’t just for school — it’s for life.
Bain triail as! — Give it a try!