Festival in Irish (Ardlá): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for festival?

The Irish for festival is ardlá (pronounced “AWRD-law”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is ardlaethanta. Depending on context it can also mean great day.

Q: What is the plural of festival in Irish?

The plural of ardlá is ardlaethanta; with the article, na hardlaethanta means “the festivals”. The genitive plural is ardlaethanta, as in féilire na n-ardlaethanta (the festival calendar).

Q: Does ardlá have more than one meaning?

Yes. Ardlá can mean festival or great day, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “festival” in Irish

Irish:: ardlá
English:: festival, great day
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine
Pronunciation:: “AWRD-law” /ˈaːɾˠd̪ˠˌl̪ˠaː/

Various forms

Plural:: ardlaethanta (festivals)
Genitive singular:: ardlae, an ardlae (e.g. ceiliúradh an ardlae, the celebration of the festival)
Genitive plural:: ardlaethanta, na n-ardlaethanta (e.g. féilire na n-ardlaethanta, the festival calendar)

What does “ardlá” mean?

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

festival: A feast day or holiday on which something important is celebrated.Also: feast day, holiday, high day, great day.

1 other meaning: great day

2great day: An excellent, memorable or very enjoyable day.Also: excellent day, grand day, red-letter day.

Other Irish words for festival: féile (festival), feis (festival), carnabhal (carnival)

“Ardlá” with the article

The plural of festival in Irish is ardlaethanta. Here is ardlá after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an t-ardlá

the festival

Masculine nouns take t before a vowel after an

na hardlaethanta

the festivals

Plural: na adds h before a vowel

“Ardlá” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using ardlá, the Irish word for festival.

Is ardlá é Lá Fhéile Pádraig in Éirinn.

Saint Patrick's Day is a great festival in Ireland.

Bhí ardlá againn cois farraige inné.

We had a great day by the sea yesterday.

Thosaigh an t-ardlá le hAifreann ar maidin.

The feast day began with Mass in the morning.

Bhí an sráidbhaile maisithe in onóir an ardlae.

The village was decorated in honour of the festival.

Is ardlaethanta tábhachtacha iad an Nollaig agus an Cháisc.

Christmas and Easter are important feast days.

Ba é sin ardlá mo shaoil.

That was the greatest day of my life.

Ní oibrítear ar ardlaethanta na hEaglaise.

People do not work on the Church's holy days.

Other nouns in Irish

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Festival in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for festival?

The Irish for festival is ardlá (pronounced “AWRD-law”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is ardlaethanta. Depending on context it can also mean great day.

How do you pronounce ardlá in Irish?

Ardlá is said like “AWRD-law” (IPA /ˈaːɾˠd̪ˠˌl̪ˠaː/).

What is the plural of festival in Irish?

The plural of ardlá is ardlaethanta; with the article, na hardlaethanta means “the festivals”. The genitive plural is ardlaethanta, as in féilire na n-ardlaethanta (the festival calendar).

Does ardlá have more than one meaning?

Yes. Ardlá can mean festival or great day, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does ardlá sometimes have a t or h in front of it?

Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an t-ardlá (the festival), a hardlá (her festival), a n-ardlá (their festival), na hardlaethanta (the festivals).

What is the difference between 'ardlá' and 'lá saoire'?

'Ardlá' stresses a feast day or a great, special day, while 'lá saoire' simply means a day off or holiday from work.

Festival in Irish (Ardlá): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage