Irish/Resources

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Free resources on the internet

Textbooks

The retypeset version of Teach Yourself Irish has the audio built in and more reliable search, but it also has typos.

Video series

Podcasts

Spelling and Pronunciation

Dictionaries (with pronunciation)

  • Teanglann
    • An online version of de Bhaldraithe's English-Irish Dictionary (EID) and Ó Dónall's Foclór Gaeilge-Béarla (FGB), as well as An Foclóir Beag and a grammar tab and pronunciation tab. Very handy to look up words.
  • New English-Irish Dictionary (NEID)

Grammar

  • Gramadach na Gaeilge (GnaG): An online grammar covering just about anything you can think of for Irish. Does contain some mistakes, but the most comprehensive free grammar you can find. (Sometimes a bit technical, but if you can deal with grammar terminology, very useful)
  • An Caighdeán Oifigiúil (the official standard; written in Irish)
  • Réimnigh: Conjugation tables for common verbs (standard and all three major dialects)

Media

Raidió na Gaeltachta (RnaG)

Raidió na Gaeltachta is an Irish-language radio station. They broadcast a wide variety of programmes, including:

  • Adhmhaidin: A(n) (inter)national current affairs show, with speakers from all over Ireland
  • An Saol Ó Dheas: Current affairs from Munster, with speakers from the dialectal areas included
  • Barrscéalta: Current affairs in Donegal, usually with presenters from Gaoth Dobhair
  • Iris Aniar: Current affairs in Connacht and Meath, with speakers from the dialectal areas included

TG4

TG4 is the Irish-language television station. Plays a variety of programmes from a variety of different topics. Most programmes only contain burnt-in English subs, but this is changing recently. Various recommended programmes include:

  • Comhrá: A regular conversation show between iconic host Máirtín Tom Sheáinín and a different guest where he talks with them about their life experiences
  • Cúla4: Kids programming on TG4. Good for children or those who want to practice with vocabulary/structures aimed at a child's ability. Might be boring for adults.
  • Nuacht TG4: The daily news show. High quality presenters. Contains no subtitles.
  • Ros na Rún: An Irish-language soap opera, running since 1996 with over 1500 episodes. Later seasons have options for English subs or Irish subs. Earlier seasons and episodes can be found on YouTube.
  • Seacht Lá: Politics and the economy, regional, national and international affairs. Live debate on the major issues of the day with a panel of analysts, experts and political pundits. No subtitles.

Vifax

Vifax is a website created and updated by Maynooth University, which takes clips from Nuacht TG4 and transcribes them. They also include questions at various levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced) to help guide listening and focus on listening ability. Very useful resource to practice listening ability.

There is also a helpful blog post about how to use Vifax at varying levels.

Apps

As for Duolingo, it's all right when you have the right expectations. I found it useful for vocabulary and just practice in general, but I wouldn't recommend it as the only thing to use.

Blogs

Most of these blogs focus on specific regional dialects.

Southern Scotland and East Ulster

West Ulster

Connaught

West Munster

East Munster

Leinster

General