JanineThe Irish in Britain
The Irish are the longest established and largest minority community in Britain. Four out of every five children born in Ireland between 1931 and 1941 emigrated in the 1950s with the majority crossing the Irish Sea to Britain.
The Irish in Leeds
There has been a substantial Irish Community in the City of Leeds for almost two centuries. Today, this community numbers some 50,000 persons.
The Untold Stories website, using a combination of a documentary film, and historical narrative accompanied by more than 250 photographs, bears testament to this long-standing and vibrant community
Irish Gaelic is spoken by between 50,000 and 80,000 native speakers in Ireland, and we know some people speak it in East Leeds.
The language is one of the oldest written languages in Europe, only surpassed by Latin and Greek.
Here’s some basic words and phrases to get you started:
Welcome • Fáilte
You are welcome • Tá fáilte romhat
How are you?
There are three ways of asking this question depending on which part of the country you are from
- Conas atá tú? = Munster
- Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú? = Connacht
- Cad é mar atá tú? = Ulster
I am well thank you • Táim go maith go raibh maith agat
Another greeting phrase takes the form of a blessing.
Greeting = Dia duit – loosely translates to ‘God be with you’ in English
Response = Dia is Muire duit – loosely translates to ‘God and Mary be with you’ in English
What is your name? • Cad is ainm duit?
My name is Sheila • SÃle is ainm dom
I am Sheila • Is mise SÃle
I’m Sheila • Mise SÃle
Where do you live • Cá bhfuil tú i do chónaÃ
I live in Leeds • Tá mé I mo chonaà i Leeds
Come in • Tar isteach
Source: Bel Connelly and //www.untoldstories.co.uk/
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