HeyRuaHow to say “ford” in Irish
- Irish:
- áth
- English:
- ford, opening, spawning bed
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “aw” /ɑː/
- Plural:
- áthanna (fords)
- Genitive singular:
- átha, an átha (e.g. bruach an átha, the bank of the ford)
- Genitive plural:
- áthanna, na n-áthanna (e.g. ainmneacha na n-áthanna, the names of the fords)
What does “áth” mean?
“Áth” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- ford
- A shallow place in a river where people or animals can wade or drive across.Also: river crossing, crossing, shallow.
2 other meanings: opening or spawning bed
- 2opening
- A gap or opening, such as a gap in a hedge or wall, or an opportunity.Also: gap, passage.
- 3spawning bed
- A shallow gravelly place in a river where fish spawn.Also: redd, spawning ground.
“Áth” with the article
The plural of ford in Irish is áthanna. Here is áth after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Áth” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using áth, the Irish word for ford.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Ford in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for ford?
The Irish for ford is áth (pronounced “aw”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is áthanna. Depending on context it can also mean opening or spawning bed.
How do you pronounce áth in Irish?
Áth is said like “aw” (IPA /ɑː/).
What is the plural of ford in Irish?
The plural of áth is áthanna; with the article, na háthanna means “the fords”. The genitive plural is áthanna, as in ainmneacha na n-áthanna (the names of the fords).
Does áth have more than one meaning?
Yes. Áth can mean ford, opening or spawning bed, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does áth sometimes have a t or h in front of it?
Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an t-áth (the ford), a háth (her ford), a n-áth (their ford), na háthanna (the fords).
Why does 'Átha' appear in Irish place names?
Many towns grew up at river crossings, so 'átha' (of the ford) appears in names like Baile Átha Cliath, 'town of the hurdle ford', and Baile Átha Luain, Athlone.
Is 'áth' the same as 'droichead'?
No: an 'áth' is a shallow place where you wade across, while a 'droichead' is a bridge built over the water.
