How to Say Happy Birthday in Irish

Download Article

Author Info

Last Updated: February 6, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

Celebrating an Irish birthday? Here's how to say Happy Birthday to somebody in Irish.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Saying Happy Birthday

Download Article

1
Be aware that it is possible to use one of two ways to say Happy Birthday to others. In Irish, you can use two different words for "birthday":^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Lá breithe; or
- Breithlá.
2
Learn how to say Happy Birthday using the two different methods:^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Say "Lá breithe shona duit" - Happy birthday to you - Law breh-ha shun-ah ditch
- Say "Breithlá shona duit" - Happy birthday to you - Breh-law shun-ah ditch.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Singing the Birthday Song

Download Article

1
Learn the Irish version of the Happy Birthday song. Here's how the song goes:^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Lá breithe shona duit, lá breithe shona duit, lá breithe shona [name], lá breithe shona duit.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
2
Here's the pronunciation:^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Law breh-ha hun-ah ditch - Lá breithe shona duit
- Law breh-ha hun-ah [name] - Lá breithe shona [name]
3
Learn other relevant exclamations. For example:
- Hip-Hip Hooray! - Heip-heip abú! - Hep hep aboo.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I say, "Happy birthday, Patrick!" in Gaelic?

Keelan

Community Answer

Translation: "Lá breithe shona duit, a Phádraig!"

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 30 Helpful 29
Question

It's "La breithe sona", not "shona" because la is masculine. If that were correct, I'd use this resource in my class.

Bookwormara

Community Answer

We will change this article to reflect your suggestions. Thanks for your input!

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 14 Helpful 33
Question

How do I say, "Happy Birthday, my Irish Love"?

Keelan

Community Answer

Lá breithe shona duit, a chroí Ghaelach.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 27 Helpful 9