In the first episode of a new series, Niall and Ben discuss the trickier questions relating to the Irish language. In Ceisteanna Casta #1, you’ll hear about: the four ways to say “I am” in Irish how to answer a copula question the pronunciation of words such as “cnoc”, “mná”, “gnó” and “tnúth” the difference between the words “má” and “dá” how to r…

In this episode, Niall and Emma discuss their desert island discs – five songs they would take if abandoned on a desert island. Listen to the full playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnQCywadvLJ8uI4Y6236ze4hT4MKTvDBB Find out more and join the discussion at: https://www.bitesize.irish/blog/dioscai-dithreibhe/ Go to offer.irish for…

Especially for púcaí season, listen to seven stories from míolseanchas na hÉireann – the lore of Irish creatures. You’ll hear about na sióga – the fairies an bhean sí – the banshee an púca – the pooka an chailleach – the witch an síofra – the changeling an mhaighdean mhara – the mermaid an fathach – the giant You can find even more stories like thi…

Bitesize Irish member Colleen Snyder talks to Niall about tracing her roots in Ireland and the very real medical impact of that genetic trail. Shownotes including picture of Colleen and Niall here: https://www.bitesize.irish/blog/roots-in-ulster-interview-with-colleen/ Find Colleen and Brendan's book on her website: https://www.insearchofgiants.org…

In this Q&A from the archive, Bitesize Irish members put their questions to Dr Garry Bannister, author of Teasáras Gaeilge-Béarla (Irish-English Thesaurus) and more. Further shownotes including links to Garry's books at: https://www.bitesize.irish/blog/ask-the-author/ Get your 10% discount off Bitesize Irish membership here: offer.irish Support the…

In this live Q&A from the archive, Eoin and Ben discuss the dialect of Corca Dhuibhne (the Dingle Peninsula). Shownotes available at: https://www.bitesize.irish/blog/qa-gaelainn-chorca-dhuibhne/ Go to offer.irish for discounted membership of Bitesize Irish Support the show Go to www.bitesize.irish/links to find out more about courses and membership…

In this episode we feature two recent conversations with Bitesize Irish members, one on the European mainland and one from a chance meeting on the edge of the known world aka County Donegal. Watch the original interview with Katie here: https://www.bitesize.irish/blog/londoner-learning-irish-in-the-netherlands/ Our interview with Janine from last y…

In this episode Niall interviews folklorist Conchúr Mag Eacháin about traditions surrounding Lúnasa, the ancient Irish festival which gave its name to the modern month of August in Irish. See shownotes and original video at: https://www.bitesize.irish/blog/lunasa-lore/ Check out all the seasonal material on our blog here: https://www.bitesize.irish…

In this episode Ben and Niall discuss Ireland's ancient answer to the Olympic Games - Aonach Tailteann. Watch the original video at: https://www.bitesize.irish/blog/aonach-tailteann/ Get a 10% discount from membership of Bitesize Irish at: offer.irish Support the show Go to www.bitesize.irish/links to find out more about courses and membership #Gae…

In this archive Q&A session, Ben and Siobhán discuss some of the big questions surrounding the genitive case. Resources mentioned: focloir.ie teanglann.ie tuairisc.ie (nuachtán/newspaper) nos.ie (iris/magazine) tg4.ie (TV) https://www.rte.ie/radio/rnag/ (radio) Nuacht Mhall (Slow News) https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cnag-ldn See shownotes …

In this episode, Niall reports from Oileán Thoraí (Tory Island), a Gaeltacht community off the north coast of County Donegal. See our blog for shownotes and pictures. Go to offer.irish to get a 10% discount off monthly or annual membership of Bitesize Irish. Support the show Go to www.bitesize.irish/links to find out more about courses and membersh…

Emma chats to one of our long-terms members, Peadar, about his progress and how Bitesize Irish has grown and developed in his time. Find the original video, and the link to the very first interview we did with Peadar back in 2020, at this link: https://www.bitesize.irish/blog/patience-is-key/ Go to offer.irish for 10% discount from monthly and annu…

In this interview from the archives, Eoin talks to Mike Collins, founder of aletterfromireland.com, about helping people rediscover and reconnect with their Irish heritage and ancestry. See the original video and shownotes at:https://www.bitesize.irish/blog/video-irish-family-tree-research/ Go to offer.irish for 10% off annual or monthly membership…

Grow member Walter discusses with Emma his journey of learning Irish in Missouri. His fascination with Irish stemmed from his exploration of endangered languages, recognising the cultural importance and identity tied to these languages and their speakers. This, alongside his introduction to Irish music motivated him to start learning Gaeilge. He sh…

In this bumper edition, Eoin introduces one of the most important ancient Irish festivals and Niall talks to photographer Alan Tobin about booleying/buailteachas, an almost forgotten practice associated with this time of year. To see all of our FREE resources relating to seasons and festivals go to: https://www.bitesize.irish/blog/seasonal/ To watc…

In this Agallamh Baill (member interview) Cathy tells Niall about her Irish heritage, how learning a language is similar to learning a musical instrument, and how Bitesize Irish has helped her along her language journey. Watch the original interview at https://www.bitesize.irish/blog/an-irish-brooklynites-journey/ Bitesize Irish is an online learni…

In this Q&A session, Eoin and Ben field questions about where and how to use Irish when visiting Ireland, and other topics. We mentioned these Irish-language courses for adults in the Gaeltacht: Oideas Gael, Donegal www.oideas-gael.com Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne, Kerry https://www.oidhreacht.ie/ Check out other options too, for example, in Waterfor…

Bitesize Irish founder Eoin and learning content developer Niall talk about some recent updates to the beginner's course Tús Maith and general strategies for learning and practising Irish. Find the full video and more shownotes here: https://www.bitesize.irish/blog/learn-conversation/ Get 10% off monthly or annual membership by going to : offer.iri…

Happy St Patrick's Day! Beannachtaí na féile ort! (Tá súil agam nach bhfuil póit ort!) This week we bring you an Agallamh Baill (Member Interview) from the end of 2023, in which New Yorker Deborah tells Niall about her remarkable year of learning Irish. An inspiration to learners everywhere! Watch the original interview over at https://www.bitesize…

In this episode Eoin talks to Dr Gwilym Morus-Baird about the shared Celtic heritage of Welsh and Irish culture, with a special focus on the mythology of both countries. Find links to Gwilym's work and see the original video here: https://www.bitesize.irish/blog/celtic-myth/ Get 10% off monthly or annual membership by going to : offer.irish Support…

In a live Q&A in December Ben and Niall discussed your greatest learning challenges. Amongst the topics discussed were: Confidence as a earner Understanding Irish speakers Pronunciation Conversation/speaking practice Phonetic transcriptions of Irish How to deal with tricky sounds like dh Some of the fantastic resources we recommend: www.focloir.ie …

In the first Agallamh Baill of 2024, Emma talks to Marian from Shropshire and finds out how her daughter's connection to Ireland drew Marian herself closer to the country and the language. Watch the original interview over at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-qlL9Uqg6k. Bitesize Irish is an online learning platform that includes self-study lessons,…

Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit! Happy new year! In this episode, Eoin investigates the origins of the Irish language - just how far back does it go in Irish (pre)history? An raibh Gaeilge ag muintir Mhúcháin? Watch the full video at https://www.bitesize.irish/blog/muchan-hill-fort/ Go to offer.irish for a special 10% discount off monthly or annual mem…

In the 150th episode of the Bitesize Irish Podcast, Niall and Emma are visited by three ghosts - Taibhse na Nollag atá thart, Taibhse na Nollag san Am i Láthair agus Taibhse na Nollag atá le Teacht - and they discuss Christmas past, present and future. Go to offer.irish for 10% off monthly or annual membership of Bitesize Irish. Membership gives yo…

In a live Q&A session Ben and Emma answer your questions about the dialects of Irish. Watch the full video at https://www.bitesize.irish/blog/dialects-2/... ...and find out free shareable dialect cheat sheet, as mentioned in the discussion, at https://www.bitesize.irish/gachla/dialect-cheat-sheets/. Go to offer.irish for a special 10% discount off …