My Journey Learning Irish: Simple Ways to Use Gaeilge in Everyday Life
If you’re learning Irish, or thinking about starting, you’re not alone
From Seachtain na Gaeilge to a wave of new podcasts and social media accounts celebrating the language, there’s a real sense of revival around Gaeilge at the minute.
Whether you grew up with a cúpla focal or even if you’re reconnecting with your Irish heritage from another country, it’s actually so to find simple ways to bring the Irish language into everyday life.
Here, I’m sharing my more recent Gaeilge journey so far - including the small, realistic ways I’ve been using Irish at home and in my art.
This is my downable journal based on Irish culture and folklore
My Own Gaeilge Journey
I’ve been re-learning Irish properly for a while now. I started with DuoLingo, then I bought Irish With Mollie’s course - her lessons are brilliant. They follow An Caighdeán Oifigiúil, the Official Standard, and that’s really helped me feel like I’m getting a solid grounding.I’m working my way through this at my own slow pace, which is just what I need.
More recently, I’ve also started a beginner’s night class here in Northern Ireland with my daughter, and it leans more into the Ulster dialect.
To be honest, I thought mixing up the dialects as a beginner might make things harder. But actually, it’s been fascinating. Instead of getting confused, I’m finding it’s giving me a broader sense of the language - and how it’s rooted in place and people.
Small Ways to Use More Irish
The biggest thing I’m learning - and getting confidence in - is that you don’t need to wait until you’re “good enough” to use the language.
The magic is in the little everyday moments - using a cúpla focal here and there, adding Irish words into your journal, or swapping out hello for Dia duit.
One habit I’ve developed (without really meaning to) is narrating my life to myself in Irish - muttering about what I’m doing, or trying out a sentence to see if I can make it work.
It often turns into a full-blown conversation with myself, figuring out pronunciation or wondering if the grammar is right. I’m sure it looks a bit mad, but it’s one of the ways Irish has become something I use, not just something I learn.
Some of my favourite ways to add Irish into daily life are:
Listening to a podcast while I’m making dinner — I don’t always catch every word, but when I do, it feels like a little win - and just hearing the sound of the language is making it more familiar to me.
Calling my morning tea ‘mo chupán tae’.
The other day, my son asked what I wanted from the shop, and I said ‘bainne le do thoil, go raibh maith agat.’ He told me he understood every word, and it felt like a little victory for us both.
More and more Irish content keeps popping up on my social media - I know it’s the algorithm too, but I’m not complaining!
Surrounding myself with Irish phrases - on bookmarks, in my art, or just as little reminders on the fridge door.
I heard someone describe it as letting Irish sit beside you, gently - not like homework, but like a companion.
Isn’t that beautiful?
Fite Fuaite - Woven Together
That idea of weaving Irish into everyday life is something I’m really drawn to, and it’s what led me to create Fite Fuaite. It’s a little collection I put together - just something I wanted to share with others who love Irish culture as much as I do.
It includes a Celtic at Heart art print I designed, full of the swirls and patterns I love to draw. There’s also a set of four printable bookmarks, each with a meaningful Irish phrase, and a colouring page if you fancy slowing down for a bit of creative time.
You can print them, frame them, tuck them into books, or share them with someone who’d love a little Irish inspiration too.
You can download it for free when you sign up to my newsletter.
Gaeilge and Art - A Natural Pairing
Because I love mixing Irish culture, language and art, you’ll find that blend across much of my work - from my digital calendar and journal to my designs that celebrate Irish folklore.
They’re little ways to stay close to the language - not as something you have to master, but as something you can simply enjoy.
Irish isn’t just something to learn - it’s something to live.
It’s a Revival - and We’re All Part of It
It’s brilliant seeing this growing appreciation for Irishness — from podcasts to bands like Kneecap, who’ve made Irish feel cool and more popular than ever.
It’s proof that the language is for everyone - whether you’re fluent, learning, or just starting with a cúpla focal.
Wherever you are on your Gaeilge journey, every word, every phrase, and every small effort helps keep the language alive.
As my teacher said in Irish class last week - Labhair í agus mairfidh sí - speak it and it will live. Isn’t that beautiful?
It’s not about how much you know - it’s about celebrating what we have and passing it on.
Go raibh míle maith agat for being part of this beautiful tangle of art, language and culture with me.
Bain taitneamh as do thuras Gaeilge - enjoy your Irish journey.
