The History of the Jack-O-Lantern
What's the history behind the Jack-O-Lantern ('Seán na Gealaí'), and the carving up of pumpkins every Hallowe'en season?
Member Profile: Jim Best
Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my Irish-born grandparents and uncle. I was raised to be proud of my Irish heritage. Up until a couple of years…
An Bhean Sí – the Story of the Banshee in Irish Folklore
This mystical female image has been a part of Irish culture for many centuries, with the oldest surviving account tracing back to 1380. Translating as…
Figuring out the Gender of Irish nouns – Using the Definite Article
Unlike in English, it is very important to know whether a noun in Irish is masculine or feminine. Fortunately, when we have the word ‘the’ (the de…
Language Standardization in Irish: A Note on An Caighdeán Oifigiúil (the Official Standard)
An Caighdeán Oifigiúil (the Official Standard) is the Irish Government’s state sponsored guidance for writing in the Irish Language. First publish…
So My DNA Test Says I’m Irish?
Since starting this journey, I have been to Ireland a few times, attended an immersive learning course in the Gaeltacht, and even took the TEG exams i…
Tips for Learning Irish Grammar
For most learners, grammar can feel overwhelming or unnecessarily complex—full of unfamiliar terms and rules that seem to defy logic. The good news …