HeyRuaHow to say “fort” in Irish
- Irish:
- dún
- English:
- fort, haven, residence
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “doon” /d̪ˠuːnˠ/
- Plural:
- dúnta (forts)
- Genitive singular:
- dúin, an dúin (e.g. ballaí an dúin, the walls of the fort)
- Genitive plural:
- dúnta, na ndúnta (e.g. iarsmaí na ndúnta, the remains of the forts)
What does “dún” mean?
“Dún” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- fort
- An ancient fortified enclosure or stronghold, often a ringfort or earthwork.Also: fortress, stronghold, ringfort.
2 other meanings: haven or residence
- 2haven
- A place of refuge or shelter, such as a safe harbour.Also: refuge, shelter.
- 3residence
- A fortified residence or stately house of a chief.Also: mansion, house.
“Dún” with the article
The plural of fort in Irish is dúnta. Here is dún after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Dún” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using dún, the Irish word for fort.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Fort in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for fort?
The Irish for fort is dún (pronounced “doon”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is dúnta. Depending on context it can also mean haven or residence.
How do you pronounce dún in Irish?
Dún is said like “doon” (IPA /d̪ˠuːnˠ/).
What is the plural of fort in Irish?
The plural of dún is dúnta; with the article, na dúnta means “the forts”. The genitive plural is dúnta, as in iarsmaí na ndúnta (the remains of the forts).
Does dún have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dún can mean fort, haven or residence, depending on context; the first is the most common. Dún also has its own entry as a verb meaning to close.
Why does dún change to dhún or ndún?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) dún becomes mo dhún (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ndún (eclipsis).
Is 'dún' the same as the verb 'dún' (close)?
They are spelled the same, but the noun 'dún' means a fort, while the verb 'dún' means to close, as in 'Dún an doras'.
What is the difference between 'dún' and 'lios'?
A 'lios' or 'ráth' is usually an earthen ringfort, while 'dún' often suggests a stronger stone fort or stronghold, such as Dún Aonghasa.
