Irish Dialects · Gaeilge Uladh
Ulster Irish: the Gaeilge of Donegal and beyond.
Ulster Irish (Gaeilge Uladh) is spoken in the Donegal Gaeltacht and is the dialect most learners in Northern Ireland learn.
Donegal Gaeltacht & Northern Ireland Cad é mar atá tú? Choose Ulster with your tutor
Where It Is Spoken
Where Ulster Irish is spoken.
Ulster Irish lives in the Donegal Gaeltacht, on the islands off its coast, and with learners and Irish speakers across Northern Ireland.
Dún na nGall
Co. Donegal
- Gaoth Dobhair
- Na Rosa
- Cloich Cheann Fhaola
- Gleann Cholm Cille
The Donegal Gaeltacht runs down the west of the county, from Cloich Cheann Fhaola (Cloughaneely) and Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore) to Gleann Cholm Cille (Glencolumbkille).
Na hOileáin
The islands
- Toraigh
- Árainn Mhór
Toraigh (Tory Island) and Árainn Mhór (Arranmore), off the Donegal coast, both have Irish-speaking communities.
Tuaisceart Éireann
Northern Ireland
Ulster Irish is the dialect most learners in Northern Ireland learn, in classes, Irish-medium schools and Irish-speaking communities such as Belfast’s.
How to Recognise It
What makes Ulster Irish sound like Ulster.
Four features you will notice quickly once you start listening.
01
A greeting of its own
Ulster asks “how are you?” with cad é mar, which you may also see written caidé mar.
Cad é mar atá tú? How are you?
02
Iontach for “very”
Ulster speakers often use iontach (literally “wonderful”) where other dialects say an-.
Iontach maith! Very good!
03
Cha for “not”
In parts of Donegal, cha or chan is used for “not” in place of ní.
cha · chan “not”, used in place of ní
04
Gaeilg, and a Scottish link
Ulster speakers call the language Gaeilg, and the dialect shares a number of features with Scottish Gaelic.
Gaeilg “Irish”, the language
Phrases to Try
Everyday Ulster Irish.
A first handful of phrases, with a note on which ones are Ulster forms and which you will hear everywhere.
- Dia duit! Hello! Used everywhere
- Cad é mar atá tú? How are you? Ulster form
- Tá mé go maith, go raibh maith agat. I’m well, thank you. Also used in Connacht
- Cad é sin? What is that? Ulster form
- Iontach maith! Very good! Ulster form
- Slán! Goodbye! Used everywhere
Compared With the Other Dialects
Ulster side by side.
The same everyday words across all three dialects, with Ulster highlighted.
| English | Connacht | Munster | Ulster |
|---|---|---|---|
| How are you? | Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú? | Conas atá tú? | Cad é mar atá tú? |
| What? | Céard? | Cad? | Cad é? |
| Very good | An-mhaith | An-mhaith | Iontach maith |
| Irish (the language) | Gaeilge | Gaelainn | Gaeilg |
Each dialect also varies from place to place. In writing, all three follow the standard spelling of An Caighdeán Oifigiúil. See the full comparison →
Practise Ulster Irish
Speak Ulster Irish with your tutor.
When you speak with your tutor on Gaeilgeoir, choose Ulster as your dialect and pick the teacher you want to learn with. Then practise everyday conversations out loud.
- Choose Ulster as your dialect
- Choose your teacher
- Speak your answers out loud
- Translations and hints whenever you need them
EVERYDAY CONVERSATION
T Teacher: Your choice ▾ G Dialect: Ulster ▾
Dia duit! Cad é mar atá tú? Hello! How are you?
Tá mé go maith, go raibh maith agat.
Iontach maith! Very good!
Speak your answer in Irish
Other Irish Dialects
Explore the other dialects.
Hearing the other two dialects trains your ear, even if Ulster is the one you speak.
Gaeilge Chonnacht
Connacht Irish
Spoken in the Gaeltacht areas of Galway and Mayo, and in Ráth Chairn in Co. Meath.
- Conamara
- Oileáin Árann
- Iorras
- Acaill
Gaeilge na Mumhan
Munster Irish
Spoken in the Gaeltacht areas of Kerry, Cork and Waterford.
- Corca Dhuibhne
- Uíbh Ráthach
- Múscraí
- An Rinn
Canúintí na Gaeilge
All three dialects
Compare everyday phrases side by side, learn about the official standard and find the right dialect for you.
Compare the Irish dialects → Questions
Ulster Irish, answered.
Common questions about Ulster Irish and how to practise it.
Where is Ulster Irish spoken?
In the Donegal Gaeltacht, including Gaoth Dobhair, Na Rosa, Cloich Cheann Fhaola and Gleann Cholm Cille, and on the islands of Toraigh and Árainn Mhór. It is also the dialect most learners in Northern Ireland learn.
How do you say “How are you?” in Ulster Irish?
Cad é mar atá tú? (also written Caidé mar atá tú?). A common reply is Tá mé go maith, go raibh maith agat (I’m well, thank you).
What makes Ulster Irish different?
Recognisable features include Cad é mar atá tú? for “how are you?”, iontach for “very”, cha or chan for “not” in parts of Donegal, Gaeilg as the name of the language, and a number of features shared with Scottish Gaelic.
Is Ulster Irish a good dialect for beginners?
Any dialect is a good choice for a beginner. Ulster is a natural fit if you live in Northern Ireland, have a connection to Donegal or have a teacher who speaks it. You will still understand speakers of the other dialects.
Can I practise Ulster Irish with Gaeilgeoir?
Yes. When you speak with your tutor, choose Ulster as your dialect and pick the teacher you want to learn with.
Tosaigh Inniu
Practise Ulster Irish free for 3 days.
Speak with your tutor in Ulster Irish, with the teacher you choose, and learn the 1,000 most-used words in Irish along the way.
