Fáilte Ireland is encouraging people to Keep Discovering and flex their cúpla focal this Seachtain na Gaeilge
6th March 2025: Ever had a feeling that you couldn’t quite put into words? That’s the magic of the breadth of the Irish language, where a single word can sum up a very specific feeling or entire experience.
With Seachtain na Gaeilge here, Fáilte Ireland is celebrating the beauty of our native language by reinvigorating five untranslatable Irish words. While these words don’t have direct English translations, their meaning can be felt and experienced through travel, connection, or simply appreciating Irish culture. So, whether you’re planning a short break, soaking in Ireland’s breathtaking scenery, or reminiscing about late-night chats with old friends, these “cúpla focal” might just be the perfect words to help express it.
Five Irish Words That Convey That Feeling:
· Sceitimíní (shkeh-tim-een-ee) – Rapturous excitement
You know that feeling, that giddiness that arrives when your long-awaited trip finally gets out of the group chat, your bags are packed, and adventure awaits.
· Ragaire (RA-gerra) – Late-night wanderer
Someone who loves to stay up late, chatting, exploring, or making the most of the Irish nightlife—this very old Irish word proves that our ancestors enjoyed a late-night wander as much as we do today.
· Suaimhneas (Soo-iv-ness) – Peace, tranquillity
The deep sense of calm you feel when gazing at the Atlantic, savouring the last bite of a perfect meal, or unwinding after a sea swim and sauna.
· Bachram (BOCH-rum) – Boisterous behaviour
The lively, infectious energy of a weekend away with old friends—the kind of laughter and craic that never gets old.
· Gliondar (glun-dur) – Gladness, joyfulness, utter delight
The overwhelming feeling of happiness when you arrive at a breathtaking Irish destination, your heart full and your soul uplifted.
So, the next time you’re feeling the Sceitimíní, soaking up some Suaimhneas, or embracing the Bachram, why not throw in a cúpla focal! And if you need a little help along the way, check out How to Gael, a really fun bi-lingual podcast, newly and proudly sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, with great craic and easy ways to bring Irish into everyday conversation.
Emma Woods, Head of Marketing Communications said:
“Ireland’s language and landscape are deeply intertwined. We are inviting people to embrace the poetic richness of the Irish language while experiencing the places and moments they describe. Whether it’s feeling sceitimíní at a live trad session, enjoying the suaimhneas of an Atlantic sunset, or wandering through Dublin as a ragaire, we’re encouraging people to Keep Discovering and bring the Irish language to life through real experiences by taking a short break in Ireland and using beautiful Irish words that capture the essence of the joy of travel so well.
We are also really excited to be the proud new sponsors of How to Gael, a bilingual podcast that provides fun and accessible ways to bring Irish into everyday conversations. We are really looking forward to working with them over the coming months”
The How to Gael podcasters said:
‘’Táimid triúir ag fizzáil le fógairt go bhfuil How To Gael anois ag obair le Fáilte Ireland. At its core, How To Gael is a celebration of everything Éire. While we mightn’t resolve any big dilemmas in our weekly how to’s, we always strive to give a uniquely Irish perspective on our questions. We like to think that the answer to a lot of our ‘how to’s’ lies in the history that shaped us, the landscape that moulds us, the folklore that inspires us and of course our language which informs us on all of this. The match makers in Lisdoonvarna themselves couldn’t come up with a better match for us! We’re really excited to be working with Fáilte Ireland to keep exploring all the elements of Ireland that make her so unique and special! Táimid ag súil go mór leis an mbliain amach romhainn agus na heachtraí iontacha atá le teacht.’’
Keep discovering Ireland’s rich culture and put your cúpla focal into practice on your next short break – head to discoverireland.ie for inspiration and to start planning your next trip.
