Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cailleach | /kəˈlʲax/ (Munster) /ˈkal̠ʲəx/ (Connacht) |
feminine |
| bean Ultach | /bʲan̪ˠ ˈoul̪ˠhəx/ (Munster, word by word) | feminine |
| cailleach Ultach | /kəˈlʲax ˈoul̪ˠhəx/ (Munster, word by word) | masculine |
| amaid | /ˈamˠədʲ/ | feminine, literary |
| cailleach feasa | feminine | |
| seanchailleach | feminine |
The term cailleach is often used to describe a witch or a hag. Depending on the context, other forms can specify different types of characters, such as a wise woman or a storyteller.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, cailleach means an old woman or a hag, which is the traditional way to describe a witch in Irish folklore.
Which one should you use?
While cailleach can imply a hag, cailleach feasa specifically refers to a woman of knowledge or a wise woman/witch. Additionally, seanchailleach is often used to refer to an old woman who is a storyteller or a keeper of tradition, rather than a practitioner of magic.
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms cailleach, bean Ultach, amaid, cailleach feasa and seanchailleach are feminine, while cailleach Ultach is masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/kəˈlʲax/
Did you know?
- In Gaelic mythology, the Cailleach is not just a generic witch but a divine hag and creator deity who shaped the mountains of Ireland and Scotland with a hammer.
- The word cailleach shares an ancient root with the English word 'pallium' and refers to a 'veil', suggesting the original meaning was a veiled woman or nun.
- The word amaid is a linguistic double-edged sword, as it can mean a woman with supernatural powers or simply a 'foolish woman'.
Examples in context
- Chonaic mé cailleach sa choill.I saw a witch in the woods.
Example conversation
Cian and Aoife are discussing a folklore book.
- CianCeapaim go bhfuil an cailleach an-láidir.I think the witch is very powerful.
- AoifeTá tú ceart, a Chian.You are right, Cian.
- CianAn féidir léi an t-uisce a stopadh?Can she stop the water?
- AoifeIs féidir leis an chailleach é a dhéanamh.The witch can do it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “witch” translations and entries cailleach, bean Ultach, amaid, seanchailleach, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (bean, Ultach, cailleach) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Ultach, amaid, bean, cailleach, ultach, CC BY-SA 4.0.
