Dear Bitesize: Practising Irish Gaelic in Dublin and the Origin of ‘Streelish’

In today’s Dear Bitesize post, I’m bringing you the answers to a couple of questions that came in recently to Bitesize Irish Gaelic. One member inquired about practising Irish in Dublin and Patricia asked what streelish means.

Here we go:

I’m visiting Dublin this summer and I’d like to know where I could study and practice Irish.

Studying and practising Irish in Dublin

Attending Irish classes is such a great way to make the best of your time in Ireland. Here are some recommended Irish classes in Dublin.

• Honor offers classes suitable for all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced. Learn more here.
• Conradh na Gaeilge holds classes in a historical building in Dublin city centre. Click here for their current class schedule.
• Gaelchultúr offer more advanced classes 

When you’re not in the classroom, why not practice what you’ve learnt? You can order a pint in Irish Gaelic at The Gingerman on Fenian Street or brighten up a damp Irish summer day with uachtar reoite /ookh-tur oh-cha/ ice cream served in Irish at Murphy’s Ice Cream Parlour, 27 Wicklow Street.

Make sure you don’t eat too much uachtar reoite though as you may want to have dinner later on just a few door away at Cornucopia, a beautifully décored restaurant which staffs a few Gaeilgeoirí /Gayl-gyor-ee/ Irish speakers. Visit An Siopa Leabhar at 6 Harcourt Street to pick up a few books or souvenirs. This bookshop is in the same building as Conradh na Gaeilge .

Áras Chrónáin Irish cultural centre is the place to go to have a chat in Irish in a fun musical atmosphere. If clubbing is more of your thing, there’s Club Chonradh na Gaeilge in Dublin city centre. 

Also, watch out for any Pop Up Gaeltacht events being held during your visit. Follow on Facebook to find out about upcoming Pop Up Gaeltachts in Dublin and around the country.

If all else fails, Peig.ie is the site to go to for information on any upcoming Irish Gaelic events in Dublin or elsewhere.

What does streelish mean?

Now, on to our second question.

I’ve come across the word ‘streelish’ in a book I’m reading. Is this an Irish word?

Streelish, also spelt strealish, is an anglicisation of the Irish word straoilleach /streel-ukh/, a variation of sraoilleach /sreel-ukh/. It means ragged and unkempt. It’s often used, in both languages, when describing something that’s untidy, such as someone’s hair or clothes. I’m not aware of it being used to describe a messy room, however. The adjective was formed from the noun straoill or sraoill, the Irish word for an untidily or badly dressed person.

That’s it for today, folks. Thanks for reading!

If you’ve ever got any travel or language questions, don’t hesitate to email [email protected].

Le gach dea-ghuí (Best wishes)

Siobhán