gleann
/ɟlʲɑun̪ˠ/
The Irish word for 'dale' is gleann.
gleann is a noun used to refer to a valley.
Meaning: valley (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ɟlʲɑun̪ˠ/
Did you know?
- The Proto-Celtic root *glendos, which gave us gleann, is also the distant relative of the English word ' glen'.
- The Irish language has different words for valleys depending on the terrain, but gleann specifically describes a deep, narrow valley often with a river.
- In Irish poetry, a gleann is often used as a symbol of shelter or a hidden sanctuary away from the hardships of the open plains.
Examples in context
- Ba mhaith liom dul i gcomhairle le Dealbhán faoina phleananna don todhchaí.I would like to consult with Dale about his plans for the future.
- Tá an gleann go hálainn.The valley is beautiful.
Example conversation
Aoife and Cian are looking at a map of the countryside.
- AoifeAn bhfuil an gleann anseo?Is the valley here?
- CianTá, sea, seo é.Yes, it is, here it is.
- AoifeAn bhfuil an gleann go domhain?Is the valley deep?
- CianTá sé an-domhain, a Aoife.It is very deep, Aoife.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gleann, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gleann, CC BY-SA 4.0.
