Let’s learn how to say nativity scene in Irish and also the names for figurines commonly found in a nativity scene.
The Irish for nativity scene, or a crib as it’s also known as, is mainséar. Another term for it is beithilín which comes from Beithil, the Irish for Bethlehem.
Listen to our recordings below, and try to say them aloud:
A figurine is called deilbhín and figurines are deilbhíní.
We have one word in Irish to refer to the Baby Jesus: Íosagán. Mary is called Muire. This is a form of Mary reserved for the Virgin Mary only.
Joseph is Seosamh or Naomh Seosamh, St Joseph. Another version is Iósaf.
The shepherds are called na haoirí. A shepherd is aoire.
The three wise men are called na trí saoithe /nah tree see-ha/, or an triúr saoithe /on troor see-ha/. The word for one wise man in Irish is saoi /see/. They’re also known as na trí ríthe /nah tree ree-ha/, or an triú ríthe /on troor ree-ha/, which literally means the three kings.
The Irish word for angel is aingeal /an-gel/.
There are often animals, ainmhithe /an-ve-ha/, in a crib such as a sheep – caora /kwee-ra/, a donkey – asal /oss-ul/ and an ox – damh /dov/.
See all our posts on Christmas in the Irish language.