nathair
/ˈn̪ˠɑhəɾʲ/
The Irish word for serpent is nathair.
nathair is a noun used to refer to a snake.
Meaning: snake (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈn̪ˠɑhəɾʲ/
Did you know?
- While Ireland is famous for the legend of Saint Patrick driving all the nathair from the island, scientific evidence shows that snakes never actually lived there after the last ice age.
- The root of nathair comes from a word meaning 'to spin' or 'to twist'.
- In some Irish traditions, the serpent is not viewed as evil, but as a symbol of rebirth and healing because it sheds its skin.
Example conversation
Aoife and Conor are walking in a park.
- AoifeConor, féach air an nathair!Conor, look at the snake!
- ConorÓ lár! Cén cáit atá sé?Oh my! Where is it?
- AoifeTá sé taobh thall an bóithre.It is across the road.
- ConorNá téig iad an nathair!Don't go near the snake!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry nathair, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nathair, CC BY-SA 4.0.
