If you’re learning Irish and want to take your skills up a notch, mastering the Irish past tense is a great place to start. It’s what allows you to describe things you’ve done, stories you’ve heard, and memories worth sharing — in Irish.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the basics of how the past tense works, how to use it correctly with regular and irregular verbs, and share a few handy tips to help it all click. No fuss, no jargon — just straightforward, beginner-friendly guidance.
Why Learn the Irish Past Tense?
Once you get comfortable with the past tense, your options for speaking and writing expand massively. Think about it — how often do we talk about what we did yesterday, last week, or even ten years ago? The same goes for Irish. And even better, the past tense in Irish is more consistent than many learners expect — especially with regular verbs.
Of course, there are quirks (this is Irish, after all), but that’s all part of the fun.
Regular Verbs: The Backbone of Irish Grammar
Let’s start simple. Most verbs in Irish follow regular patterns, especially in the past tense.
✅ Regular Past Tense Rule:
For most regular verbs, just add lenition (an “h” after the first consonant) to the root form of the verb.
Here’s a quick look:
| Verb | Meaning | Past Tense (mé) | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bris | To break | Bhris mé | I broke |
| Dún | To close | Dhún tú | You closed |
| Ceannaigh | To buy | Cheannaigh sí | She bought |
📝 Note: If a verb starts with a vowel, you’ll add “d’” instead. For example, ól (to drink) becomes D’ól mé — “I drank.”
What’s nice is that the verb form is the same for all subjects (mé, tú, sé, etc.). So once you learn one, you’ve learned them all.
Meet the Irregulars
Ah yes — the 11 irregular verbs. These guys don’t follow the same neat patterns, but they’re used so often that you’ll pick them up pretty quickly with a bit of exposure and repetition.
Here are a few you’ll encounter early and often:
| Verb | Meaning | Past Tense (mé) | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bí | To be | Bhí mé | I was |
| Téigh | To go | Chuaigh tú | You went |
| Déan | To do/make | Rinne sí | She did |
| Feic | To see | Chonaic mé | I saw |
| Faigh | To get | Fuair mé | I got |
🧠 Want to keep these fresh in your mind? Our Irish language flashcards are perfect for quick reviews — just a few minutes a day makes a difference.
Talk Like a Local: Time Words for the Past Tense
When using the past tense, you’ll naturally need time expressions. Here are some useful ones to memorize:
- Inné – yesterday
- Aréir – last night
- An tseachtain seo caite – last week
- Cúpla lá ó shin – a couple of days ago
- Tamall ó shin – some time ago
Try using them to form full sentences:
- D’ith mé pasta inné. – I ate pasta yesterday.
- Bhí mé sa bhaile aréir. – I was at home last night.
Asking Questions & Saying “No” in the Past
Irish makes questions and negatives in the past tense super logical — once you see the pattern.
🔸 To ask a question:
Use Ar before the verb (and apply lenition).
- Ar ól tú tae? – Did you drink tea?
🔹 To say “didn’t”:
Use Níor + verb (again, lenition applies).
- Níor ith sí an cáca. – She didn’t eat the cake.
It sounds fancy, but really, it’s just a matter of remembering your helper words.
Real-World Tips for Using the Past Tense
You don’t need to memorize long verb tables. Try these more natural ways to pick it up:
1. Practice Short Recaps
At the end of your day, say out loud (or write down) 2–3 things you did. Use the past tense. Keep it simple:
- Chuaigh mé ag siúl.
- D’ith mé arán.
- Bhí mé tuirseach.
2. Flashcards Are Your Friend
Grab a pack (or use ours here) and go over them while you wait for the kettle to boil. It’s those little moments that add up.
3. Listen and Repeat
Podcasts and short videos are gold. You’ll start hearing the past tense in context, which helps you learn when and how to use it naturally. If you need somewhere to start, check out our guide to the Top Podcasts in Irish.
What’s Next?
Now that you’ve got the basics of the Irish past tense, why not build on what you’ve learned? Our Irish language lessons for beginners are designed to help learners just like you progress quickly — and actually enjoy the process.
If you want to take it a step further, check out this free guide to learning Irish online for a full learning roadmap.
Final Word
Mastering the Irish past tense is like unlocking a new chapter in your language journey. With practice, persistence, and a bit of fun along the way, you’ll soon be telling your own stories in Irish. So, don’t hesitate—take your learning further by signing up for that free trial at Gaeilgeoir AI, and get ready to bring your Irish skills to life.
Inis do scéal! (Tell your story!)
