Feast in Irish (Fleá): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for feast?

The Irish for feast is fleá (pronounced “flyaw”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is fleánna. Depending on context it can also mean festival.

Q: What is the plural of feast in Irish?

The plural of fleá is fleánna; with the article, na fleánna means “the feasts”. The genitive plural is fleánna, as in clár na bhfleánna (the programme of the feasts).

Q: Does fleá have more than one meaning?

Yes. Fleá can mean feast or festival, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “feast” in Irish

Irish:: fleá
English:: feast, festival
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “flyaw” /fʲlʲɑː/

Various forms

Plural:: fleánna (feasts)
Genitive singular:: fleá, na fleá (e.g. lá na fleá, the day of the feast)
Genitive plural:: fleánna, na bhfleánna (e.g. clár na bhfleánna, the programme of the feasts)

What does “fleá” mean?

“Fleá” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

feast: A large celebratory meal or banquet, traditionally one with plenty of drink.Also: banquet, revel, carousal.

1 other meaning: festival

2festival: A festival or gathering, especially of traditional music, such as the Fleadh Cheoil.Also: Fleadh, music festival.

Other Irish words for feast: féasta (feast)

“Fleá” with the article

The plural of feast in Irish is fleánna. Here is fleá after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an fhleá

the feast

Lenition: f becomes fh after an (feminine noun)

na fleánna

the feasts

Plural: no change after na

“Fleá” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using fleá, the Irish word for feast.

Bhí fleá mhór acu tar éis na bainise.

They had a great feast after the wedding.

An mbeidh tú ag dul chuig an bhfleá cheoil?

Will you be going to the music festival?

Seinneadh ceol ar na sráideanna i rith na fleá.

Music was played on the streets during the festival.

Bíonn go leor fleánna ar siúl sa samhradh.

Lots of festivals take place in the summer.

Casadh mo chara orm ag an bhfleá.

I met my friend at the festival.

Bhuaigh sí comórtas fidile ag an bhfleá.

She won a fiddle competition at the festival.

Ba í sin an fhleá ab fhearr riamh.

That was the best festival ever.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

próiseasprocess cothabháilmaintenance aignemind éisteachtlistening amhrasdoubt rásaying

Feast in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for feast?

The Irish for feast is fleá (pronounced “flyaw”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is fleánna. Depending on context it can also mean festival.

How do you pronounce fleá in Irish?

Fleá is said like “flyaw” (IPA /fʲlʲɑː/).

What is the plural of feast in Irish?

The plural of fleá is fleánna; with the article, na fleánna means “the feasts”. The genitive plural is fleánna, as in clár na bhfleánna (the programme of the feasts).

Does fleá have more than one meaning?

Yes. Fleá can mean feast or festival, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does fleá change to fhleá or bhfleá?

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

What is the difference between fleá and féile?

Féile is the general word for a festival or feast day, while fleá suggests a feast or revelry and is best known from 'fleá cheoil', a traditional music festival.

Is fleá the same as the English 'fleadh'?

Yes, 'fleadh' is the older Irish spelling borrowed into English; the Caighdeán spelling is fleá.

Feast in Irish (Fleá): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage