Galway in Irish (Gaillimh): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for Galway?

The Irish for Galway is Gaillimh (pronounced “GAL-iv”). It’s a feminine noun.

Q: How do you say “I am from Galway” in Irish?

Is as Gaillimh mé. To say you are from there originally: Is as Gaillimh ó dhúchas mé.

Q: How do you say “I live in Galway” in Irish?

Tá cónaí orm i nGaillimh. In the county: Tá mé i mo chónaí i gContae na Gaillimhe.

Q: What is County Galway in Irish?

Contae na Gaillimhe. The name changes after Contae, and after muintir too: muintir na Gaillimhe, the people of Galway.

How to say “Galway” in Irish

Irish:: Gaillimh
English:: Galway
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine
Pronunciation:: “GAL-iv” /ˈɡalʲɪvʲ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: Gaillimhe, na Gaillimhe (e.g. Contae na Gaillimhe, County Galway)

What does “Gaillimh” mean?

Galway: Galway, a city on the west coast of Ireland and the county around it.Also: Galway city, County Galway.

“Gaillimh” with the article

Here is Gaillimh after the article (an t-alt).

an Ghaillimh

the Galway

Lenition: G becomes Gh after an (feminine noun)

“Gaillimh” as a county: Galway

A county name changes shape depending on what comes before it. These are the three shapes you will meet most.

Gaillimh

Galway

The plain name. As Gaillimh = from Galway: as takes the plain name.

Contae na Gaillimhe

County Galway

The genitive, an tuiseal ginideach: an becomes na. The same after muintir: muintir na Gaillimhe, the people of Galway.

i nGaillimh

in Galway

I adds an urú (eclipsis).

All 32 counties and the rules

“Gaillimh” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using Gaillimh, the Irish word for Galway.

Rugadh i nGaillimh mé.

I was born in Galway.

Tá mé ag dul go Gaillimh amárach.

I am going to Galway tomorrow.

Níl sé ach cúpla míle ó Ghaillimh.

It's only a few miles from Galway.

Is breá liom cathair na Gaillimhe sa samhradh.

I love Galway city in the summer.

Tá Gaillimh ar an gcósta thiar.

Galway is on the west coast.

Bhuaigh foireann na Gaillimhe an cluiche inné.

The Galway team won the match yesterday.

Táimid ag craoladh beo ó Ghaillimh.

We are broadcasting live from Galway.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Galway in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for Galway?

The Irish for Galway is Gaillimh (pronounced “GAL-iv”). It’s a feminine noun.

How do you pronounce Gaillimh in Irish?

Gaillimh is said like “GAL-iv” (IPA /ˈɡalʲɪvʲ/).

Does Gaillimh have a plural?

No. Gaillimh is a name, so it is used in the singular only.

Why does Gaillimh change to Ghaillimh or nGaillimh?

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

Why is it 'Contae na Gaillimhe' and not 'Contae Gaillimh'?

Gaillimh takes the article in the genitive, so you say Contae na Gaillimhe and Cathair na Gaillimhe.

What do you call a person from Galway?

A Galway person is a Gaillmheach.

How do you say “I am from Galway” in Irish?

Is as Gaillimh mé. To say you are from there originally: Is as Gaillimh ó dhúchas mé.

How do you say “I live in Galway” in Irish?

Tá cónaí orm i nGaillimh. In the county: Tá mé i mo chónaí i gContae na Gaillimhe.

What is County Galway in Irish?

Contae na Gaillimhe. The name changes after Contae, and after muintir too: muintir na Gaillimhe, the people of Galway.

Galway in Irish (Gaillimh): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage