HeyRuaHow to say “poetry” in Irish
- Irish:
- éigse
- English:
- poetry, poets, literary festival
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “AYG-shuh” /ˈeːɟʃə/
- Plural:
- éigsí
- Genitive singular:
- éigse, na héigse (e.g. lucht na héigse, the poets, people of learning)
- Genitive plural:
- éigsí, na n-éigsí (e.g. clár na n-éigsí, the programme of the poetry gatherings)
What does “éigse” mean?
“Éigse” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- poetry
- Poetry or the art of poetry, especially traditional Irish verse and learning.Also: verse, poetic art, learning.
2 other meanings: poets or literary festival
- 2poets
- Poets considered as a group, the learned poetic class.Also: body of poets, literati.
- 3literary festival
- A festival or gathering celebrating poetry, literature or traditional arts.Also: festival, summer school.
Other Irish words for poetry: filíocht (poetry)
“Éigse” with the article
The plural of poetry in Irish is éigsí. Here is éigse after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Éigse” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using éigse, the Irish word for poetry.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Poetry in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for poetry?
The Irish for poetry is éigse (pronounced “AYG-shuh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is éigsí. Depending on context it can also mean poets or literary festival.
How do you pronounce éigse in Irish?
Éigse is said like “AYG-shuh” (IPA /ˈeːɟʃə/).
What is the plural of poetry in Irish?
The plural of éigse is éigsí; with the article, it is na héigsí. The genitive plural is éigsí, as in clár na n-éigsí (the programme of the poetry gatherings).
Does éigse have more than one meaning?
Yes. Éigse can mean poetry, poets or literary festival, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does éigse sometimes have a t or h in front of it?
Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an éigse (the poetry), a héigse (her poetry), a n-éigse (their poetry).
How is 'éigse' different from 'filíocht'?
'Filíocht' is the everyday word for poetry, while 'éigse' is more literary and often means poetic learning, the poets as a group, or a festival such as Éigse Mrs. Crotty.
