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Perch in Irish (Fara): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage

‘fara’ also means: raised ledge

The Irish for perch is fara, a masculine noun (plural faraí).
Updated October 2026Report a mistake

How to say “perch” in Irish

Irish:
fara
English:
perch, raised ledge
Word type:
noun
Gender:
masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:
“FAR-uh”  /ˈfˠaɾˠə/
Various forms
Plural:
faraí (perches)
Genitive singular:
fara, an fhara (e.g. barr an fhara, the top of the perch)
Genitive plural:
faraí, na bhfaraí (e.g. barr na bhfaraí, the top of the perches)

What does “fara” mean?

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

perch
A bar, branch or ledge on which birds, especially hens, sit or sleep.Also: roost, hen roost.
1 other meaning: raised ledge
2raised ledge
A raised seat, bench or ledge, such as a shelf or loft in a house.Also: ledge, raised seat, bench, loft.

“Fara” with the article

The plural of perch in Irish is faraí. Here is fara after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an fara
the perch
No change after an
na faraí
the perches
Plural: no change after na

“Fara” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using fara, the Irish word for perch.

Tá na cearca ar an bhfara cheana féin.
The hens are already on the roost.
Chuaigh an coileach suas ar an bhfara.
The rooster went up on the perch.
Rinne m'athair fara nua don chró cearc.
My father made a new perch for the henhouse.
Bhí an t-éan ina shuí ar an bhfara.
The bird was sitting on the perch.
Thit an fara agus scanraíodh na cearca.
The perch fell and the hens were frightened.
Tá faraí adhmaid sa chró.
There are wooden perches in the coop.
Ghlan sí aoileach an fhara ar maidin.
She cleaned the droppings from the perch in the morning.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

Perch in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for perch?

The Irish for perch is fara (pronounced “FAR-uh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is faraí. Depending on context it can also mean raised ledge.

How do you pronounce fara in Irish?

Fara is said like “FAR-uh” (IPA /ˈfˠaɾˠə/).

What is the plural of perch in Irish?

The plural of fara is faraí; with the article, na faraí means “the perches”. The genitive plural is faraí, as in barr na bhfaraí (the top of the perches).

Does fara have more than one meaning?

Yes. Fara can mean perch or raised ledge, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does fara change to fhara or bhfara?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) fara becomes m'fhara (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfara (eclipsis).

Is 'fara' the same as the preposition meaning 'along with'?

No, the noun 'fara' means a perch or roost, while 'fara' as a preposition (as in 'fara a chéile') means 'along with' and is a separate word.

What does 'dul ar an bhfara' mean?

It means to go to roost, and is used of hens and, jokingly, of people going to bed.

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