HeyRua Get the app

Lordship in Irish (Tiarnas): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage

‘tiarnas’ also means: dominion · peerage

The Irish for lordship is tiarnas, a masculine noun (plural tiarnais).
Updated October 2026Report a mistake

How to say “lordship” in Irish

Irish:
tiarnas
English:
lordship, dominion, peerage
Word type:
noun
Gender:
masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:
“TEER-nuss”  /ˈtʲiəɾˠn̪ˠəsˠ/
Various forms
Plural:
tiarnais (lordships)
Genitive singular:
tiarnais, an tiarnais (e.g. teorainneacha an tiarnais, the boundaries of the lordship)
Genitive plural:
tiarnas, na dtiarnas (e.g. stair na dtiarnas, the history of the dominions)

What does “tiarnas” mean?

“Tiarnas” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

lordship
The power, authority or rule of a lord over people or land.Also: dominion, domination, sway, rule, sovereignty.
2 other meanings: dominion or peerage
2dominion
A territory or state ruled by a lord or sovereign, including a self-governing British dominion.Also: domain, lordship, territory.
3peerage
The rank or title of a lord or peer.Also: lordship, title.

“Tiarnas” with the article

The plural of lordship in Irish is tiarnais. Here is tiarnas after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an tiarnas
the lordship
No change after an
na tiarnais
the lordships
Plural: no change after na

“Tiarnas” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using tiarnas, the Irish word for lordship.

Bhí tiarnas ag na Normannaigh ar an gceantar.
The Normans had lordship over the area.
Ní raibh an tiarnas sin buan.
That dominion did not last.
Cuireadh deireadh le Tiarnas na hÉireann sa bhliain 1542.
The Lordship of Ireland was ended in 1542.
Bhí Ceanada ina tiarnas tráth.
Canada was once a dominion.
Throid siad i gcoinne tiarnais an rí.
They fought against the king's rule.
Bhí roinnt tiarnais bheaga sa tír.
There were several small lordships in the country.
Fuair sé tiarnas ón rí mar dhuais.
He received a peerage from the king as a reward.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

Lordship in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for lordship?

The Irish for lordship is tiarnas (pronounced “TEER-nuss”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is tiarnais. Depending on context it can also mean dominion or peerage.

How do you pronounce tiarnas in Irish?

Tiarnas is said like “TEER-nuss” (IPA /ˈtʲiəɾˠn̪ˠəsˠ/).

What is the plural of lordship in Irish?

The plural of tiarnas is tiarnais; with the article, na tiarnais means “the lordships”. The genitive plural is tiarnas, as in stair na dtiarnas (the history of the dominions).

Does tiarnas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Tiarnas can mean lordship, dominion or peerage, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does tiarnas change to thiarnas or dtiarnas?

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

How is tiarnas related to tiarna?

Tiarnas is formed from tiarna 'lord' with the abstract suffix -as, so it means the rule or rank of a lord. Compare aintiarnas 'tyranny'.

Learn Irish by
actually speaking it

Learn everyday Irish words like tiarnas through guided conversation with Rua.

7-day free trial. Cancel anytime.

The HeyRua app home screen