Cúpla Focal: A few words of Irish language (for Christmas)

Birmingham Irish • December 9, 2024

Cúpla Focal

Tá an Nollaig ag teacht! Christmas is coming!

Santa Claus

Dia daoibh a chairde! An bhfuil na cártaí Nollag scríofa agaibh fós? (Have you written your Christmas cards yet?)

See last month’s article for help with card writing as Gaeilge.


Here is a little more about Christmas, as Gaeilge:

  • Fleasc Nollag – Christmas wreath
  • Dráma na Nollag – Nativity play
  • Beannachtaí na Nollag – Christmas greetings/blessings
  • Soilse Nollag – Christmas lights
  • Pléascóg(a) Nollag – Christmas cracker(s)
  • Daidí na Nollag/San Nioclás – Santa Claus
  • Maróg Nollag (le hanlann branda) – Christmas pudding (with brandy sauce)
  • Im branda – Brandy butter
  • Císte Nollag – Christmas cake
  • Dinnéar na Nollag – Christmas dinner
  • An Mainséar – The Manger
  • Aingeal/Aingil – Angel/Angels
  • Íosa - Jesus
  • Íosagán – Baby Jesus
  • Muire agus Iósaf – Mary and Joseph
  • Na Trí Rí – The Three Kings
  • Ór, túis agus miorr – Gold, frankincense and myrrh
  • Aoire/Aoirí – Shepherd/Shepherds
Reindeer in the snow
  • Réinfhia - Reindeer
  • Nollaig shona (duit/daoibh) – Happy Christmas (to you singular/plural)
  • Nollaig faoi shéan agus faoi mhaise – Happy Christmas
  • Cuileann – Holly
  • Póg faoin drualus – A kiss under the mistletoe
Smiling snowmen
  • Sneachta – Snow
  • sioc - frost
  • Fear sneachta – Snowman
  • Lá Fhéile Stiofáin/Lá an Dreoilín – St Stephen’s Day
  •  Oíche Chinn Bhliana – New Year’s Eve
  • Lá Caille (Lá na Bliana Úire) – New Year’s Day
  • Athbhliain sona sásta – Happy New Year
  • Nollaig na mBan – Little Christmas/Epiphany/Women’s Christmas
  • Nollaig shona agus Athbhliain faoi shéan agus faoi mhaise daoibh go léir

Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Slan go fóill,
Terri

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