Bawn in Irish (Bábhún): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for bawn?

The Irish for bawn is bábhún (pronounced “BAW-oon”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is bábhúin. Depending on context it can also mean rampart or breakwater.

Q: What is the plural of bawn in Irish?

The plural of bábhún is bábhúin; with the article, na bábhúin means “the bawns”. The genitive plural is bábhún, as in fothracha na mbábhún (the ruins of the bawns).

Q: Does bábhún have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bábhún can mean bawn, rampart or breakwater, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “bawn” in Irish

Irish:: bábhún
English:: bawn, rampart, breakwater
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “BAW-oon” /ˈbˠɑːwuːnˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: bábhúin (bawns)
Genitive singular:: bábhúin, an bhábhúin (e.g. balla an bhábhúin, the wall of the bawn)
Genitive plural:: bábhún, na mbábhún (e.g. fothracha na mbábhún, the ruins of the bawns)

What does “bábhún” mean?

“Bábhún” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

bawn: A walled enclosure, especially the fortified courtyard around a castle or tower house, also used to keep cattle.Also: walled enclosure, bailey, cattle enclosure, courtyard.

2 other meanings: rampart or breakwater

2rampart: A defensive wall or bulwark built for protection.Also: bulwark, defensive wall, fortification.
3breakwater: A wall built in or around a harbour to protect it from the waves.Also: sea wall, mole.

“Bábhún” with the article

The plural of bawn in Irish is bábhúin. Here is bábhún after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an bábhún

the bawn

No change after an

na bábhúin

the bawns

Plural: no change after na

“Bábhún” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using bábhún, the Irish word for bawn.

Tógadh bábhún timpeall an chaisleáin fadó.

A bawn was built around the castle long ago.

Tá an bábhún fós ina sheasamh go maith.

The bawn is still standing well.

Bhí na ba istigh sa bhábhún san oíche.

The cows were inside the bawn at night.

Thit cuid de bhalla an bhábhúin anuraidh.

Part of the bawn wall fell last year.

Chonaiceamar dhá bhábhún ar an turas staire.

We saw two bawns on the history tour.

Tá na báid slán taobh thiar den bhábhún.

The boats are safe behind the breakwater.

Bhí na bábhúin seo coitianta sa seachtú haois déag.

These bawns were common in the seventeenth century.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

comharthasign maoiniúfunding sprioctarget cabhairhelp fuilblood breithiúnasjudgment

Bawn in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for bawn?

The Irish for bawn is bábhún (pronounced “BAW-oon”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is bábhúin. Depending on context it can also mean rampart or breakwater.

How do you pronounce bábhún in Irish?

Bábhún is said like “BAW-oon” (IPA /ˈbˠɑːwuːnˠ/).

What is the plural of bawn in Irish?

The plural of bábhún is bábhúin; with the article, na bábhúin means “the bawns”. The genitive plural is bábhún, as in fothracha na mbábhún (the ruins of the bawns).

Does bábhún have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bábhún can mean bawn, rampart or breakwater, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does bábhún change to bhábhún or mbábhún?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) bábhún becomes mo bhábhún (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbábhún (eclipsis).

Is the English word 'bawn' related to 'bábhún'?

Yes, the English 'bawn' used for Plantation-era enclosures comes from Irish 'bábhún', thought to derive from 'bó-dhún', a cattle fort.

Bawn in Irish (Bábhún): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage