Priory in Irish (Prióireacht): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for priory?

The Irish for priory is prióireacht (pronounced “PREE-ur-ukht”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is prióireachtaí. Depending on context it can also mean priorship.

Q: What is the plural of priory in Irish?

The plural of prióireacht is prióireachtaí; with the article, na prióireachtaí means “the priories”. The genitive plural is prióireachtaí, as in stair na bprióireachtaí (the history of the priories).

Q: Does prióireacht have more than one meaning?

Yes. Prióireacht can mean priory or priorship, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “priory” in Irish

Irish:: prióireacht
English:: priory, priorship
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “PREE-ur-ukht” /ˈpʲɾʲiːoːɾʲəxt̪/

Various forms

Plural:: prióireachtaí (priories)
Genitive singular:: prióireachta, na prióireachta (e.g. fothrach na prióireachta, the ruin of the priory)
Genitive plural:: prióireachtaí, na bprióireachtaí (e.g. stair na bprióireachtaí, the history of the priories)

What does “prióireacht” mean?

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

priory: A religious house of monks or nuns governed by a prior or prioress.Also: monastery, religious house.

1 other meaning: priorship

2priorship: The office or term of office of a prior.Also: priorate, office of prior.

“Prióireacht” with the article

The plural of priory in Irish is prióireachtaí. Here is prióireacht after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an phrióireacht

the priory

Lenition: p becomes ph after an (feminine noun)

na prióireachtaí

the priories

Plural: no change after na

“Prióireacht” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using prióireacht, the Irish word for priory.

Tá prióireacht ársa in aice an bhaile.

There is an ancient priory near the town.

Bhunaigh na manaigh an phrióireacht sa dara haois déag.

The monks founded the priory in the twelfth century.

Thugamar cuairt ar fhothrach na prióireachta inné.

We visited the ruins of the priory yesterday.

Dúnadh go leor prióireachtaí le linn an Reifirméisin.

Many priories were closed during the Reformation.

Bhí cónaí ar sheisear manach sa phrióireacht.

Six monks lived in the priory.

Tá séipéal álainn i bprióireacht na n-Agaistíneach.

There is a beautiful chapel in the Augustinian priory.

Is iarsmalann anois í an phrióireacht.

The priory is now a museum.

Other nouns in Irish

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Priory in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for priory?

The Irish for priory is prióireacht (pronounced “PREE-ur-ukht”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is prióireachtaí. Depending on context it can also mean priorship.

How do you pronounce prióireacht in Irish?

Prióireacht is said like “PREE-ur-ukht” (IPA /ˈpʲɾʲiːoːɾʲəxt̪/).

What is the plural of priory in Irish?

The plural of prióireacht is prióireachtaí; with the article, na prióireachtaí means “the priories”. The genitive plural is prióireachtaí, as in stair na bprióireachtaí (the history of the priories).

Does prióireacht have more than one meaning?

Yes. Prióireacht can mean priory or priorship, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does prióireacht change to phrióireacht or bprióireacht?

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

What is the difference between prióireacht and mainistir?

A mainistir is a monastery or abbey in general, often headed by an ab (abbot), while a prióireacht is specifically a house headed by a prióir (prior).

Priory in Irish (Prióireacht): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage