30 Irish Slangs With Meanings And Examples

These expressions are often used in everyday conversation in Ireland, and understanding them can help you blend in with the locals. It's important to note that you'll find slang here from different parts of Ireland, each city is known for its unique slang. Many slang terms are derived from Gaelic, for example the classic 'craic'.

1- Grand

Meaning: Many uses; most often used as a reply to ‘How are you?’,  ‘How are you feeling?’, or being told of a decision. One of the most commons Irish expressions.

Example: We will meet you there – “Grand”; Dinner will be in 10 minutes – “Grand”

2- The Jacks

Meaning: The ‘jacks’ is Dublin slang for toilet and can often be heard when someone is telling their group

Example: ‘I’m off to the jacks!’ or ‘My friend has gone to the jacks.’

3- Deadly

Meaning: Brilliant, fantastic, great

Example: My day is going alright, Though It would be deadly if I have already had my black stuff!.2. What’s the craic/story? Arguably the most common Irish slang words for greeting someone, ‘What’s the craic/story?’ means ‘How are you/any news/what’s going on?’ For example: JR – what’s the craic? I haven't seen you in ages!

4- Acting the maggot

Meaning: If a person is ‘Acting the maggot’ they’re messing around/dossing… i.e. they’re not doing what they’re supposed to be doing.

Example: ‘That young lad was in here last night acting the maggot’.

5- Flutered

Meaning: Very, very drunk!

Example: I was fluttered after that pub crawl.

6- Happy Out

Meaning: This mad Irish phrase that makes no sense to English speakers just means happy. Irish chose to add an “out” and I could find a reasonable explanation. Usually used in the present tense, to comment on your current state of satisfaction.

Example: “I know I’m happy out!”

7- Awful good

Meaning: In Ireland, awful can also mean very.

Example: “the weather was awful good”;

8- Donkeys Years

Meaning: Refers to a lot of years!

Example: They have lived there donkey’s years

9- Was it any Use?

Meaning: Directly translated to “how was it?”, was it good? or “was it any good?” Often times used in response to one reporting a night out, event or an experience to another person.

Example: I was out last night til’ all hours. Was it any use?

10- Black stuff - Irish favourite drink

Meaning: “The black stuff” translates to Guinness. In some smaller cities, such as Cork, it can also refer to other stouts, such as Beamish and Murphy’s.

Examples: “What can I get you?”; “Giz a pint of the Black Stuff!”

11- Now we’re sucking diesel

Meaning: In Ireland, a person may say “now we’re sucking diesel” when things start to go right or when things get back on track.

Example: How is business, Jeff? After a first quarter down, now we are sucking diesel

12- Lash

Meaning: ‘Lash’ is one of many Irish terms that can be used in several different ways. It can be used to describe quick movement;

Example, ‘Give yourself a lash we’re late’ or ‘Lash that in the bin’.‍

It can also be used to describe someone you fide attractive, 

Example: Saoirse Ronan’s a lash

13- Codding

Meaning: One of several Irish terms that’s used in several other countries, ‘Codding/to cod’ means ‘Joking/to joke/to have on’.

Example, ‘Terry’s Irish jokes are gas, to be fair!’ ‘Are you codding me? He couldn’t tell the time, never mind a joke’.

14- Sorry

Meaning: To the American, "sorry" means "I apologize." But in Ireland, "sorry" means "excuse me" — whereas "excuse me" in Ireland seems to imply "forgive me."

Example: Sorry, can I get in there please

15- Fair play

Meaning: ‘Fair play’ is generally used as a response to something that you find favourable or to a good deed.

Example: ‘I’m collecting money for the orphanage. Reply: ‘Ah, fair play’.

16- Stall the ball

Meaning: If you ask someone to ‘Stall the ball’ you’re asking them to hang on/wait.

Example, ‘Here, stall the ball – Fresh doughnuts will be ready in 3’.

17- Gas

Meaning: ‘Gas’ is Irish slang for funny. You’ll hear a situation being described as ‘Gas’, for example, ‘Last night was gas craic’.

Example: You’ll also hear someone deemed to be funny as ‘Gas’, for example, ‘He’s a gas man’.

18- Quality

Meaning: If something is ‘Quality’, it’s very good. 

Example: ‘That new album launched by Vincis is quality’.

19- Scarlet

Meaning: Very embarrassed

Example: I was scarlet, since I forgot his name

20- Murder

Meaning: Very difficult or to really want to do something            

Example: Finding a taxi was murder. I could murder a Guinness.

21- Feck off

Meaning: A less offensive version of F*** off

Example: Just feck off and leave me alone!

22- Mortified

Meaning: Highly embarrassed. Commonly used in Northern Ireland.

Example: I was mortified when I realized my mistake

23- I’m going on the gargle/piss/batter

Meaning: You are going out for a drink, and you may not return for days.

Example: Ah, a lifetime of garglin' has dimmed poor Frans' brain.

24- Hit the four springs nightclub

Meaning: Time to go to bed.

Example: I was really Knackered when I got back home, and I immediately hit the four springs nightclub

25- Knackered

Meaning: Exhausted, tired.

Example: I was completely knackered.

26- Bang on

Meaning: Right, accurate, correct.

Example, ‘The new guy that started is bang on’.‍

27- Fella

Meaning: Used for your guy, as in ‘me fella’; partner/husband/boyfriend.

Example: Is your fella going to be there?

28- Away with the fairies

Meaning: So if someone refers to another as “away with the fairies”, it means that they’re not on the same wavelength as you or that they have their head up in the clouds.

Example: I think he might be feeling unwell. Don't think so, mother, ever since he met that lash he's been away with the fairies.

29- Go way outta that

Meaning: This phrase is used in conversation to signify disbelief, shock, or distaste.
Example: “I once saw a guy called David playing his guitar for 114 hours straight!”; “Go way outta that!”

30- Giz a shot of that

Meaning: Simply translated to “what you have there, I want it, thanks”. Often the person saying this phrase will point or gesture to what they want.

Example: I have just got this Extra Large Popcorn; replies: Giz a shot of that.

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We hope you enjoyed the content, so remember that Irish slang reflects the mood of the Irish people, and if you've been there, you'll know what I'm talking about. See you later, mate!

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Source: "The Irish road trip", "b and b Ireland", "Ireland before you die" and "distillery trail"