Éirinn go Brách
The English phrase "ireland forever" is expressed in Irish as Éirinn go Brách.
This is a patriotic slogan used to express a wish for the eternal endurance of Ireland.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Éirinn go Brách translates to "to Ireland forever".
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter the formal variations Éire go Brách and Éire go deo to express the same sentiment.
Did you know?
- The word brách is built from the word bráth, which refers to the Day of Judgment. This gives the slogan a weight of eternal, spiritual permanence rather than just a simple temporal 'forever'.
- In Irish, there is a distinction between the name of the land as a physical entity and the name used in patriotic or emotional contexts, which is why Éirinn is favored in this slogan over Éire.
- In modern Ireland, you will often see Éirinn go Brách used as a motto on military insignia and official government emblems rather than just in casual conversation.
Examples in context
- Éirinn go Brách!Ireland forever!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries brách, go, CC BY-SA 4.0.
