Things Irish People Say But Don't Mean

Ah sure you know yourselfAll Ireland

The all purpose Irish closer. Means everything, explains nothing, ends the conversation.

How's tings at home?" "Ah sure look, ya know yerself.

Ah he would be yaAll Ireland

Sarcastic agreement that means the exact opposite: not a hope.

He says he's givin' up de drink for Lent." "Ah he would be, ya.

He's a bit of a characterAll Ireland

Polite Irish for: he is very odd and you should keep an eye on him. Also: he's an interesting lad.

Yer man next door? Ah he's a bit of a character alright. He hoovers de lawn.

I will yeahCork

Sarcastic expression, used to tell someone that you will not perform the requested task.

Will you tidy your room? I will yeah!

I'm not having a goAll Ireland

The preface used immediately before having a go.

I'm not havin' a go at ya now, but dat's de worst lasagne I ever ate.

It'll be grandAll Ireland

National policy. Applied to every problem from a flat tyre to the end of the world, ideally with a cup of tea.

De roof's leakin', de car's banjaxed and de dog ate de rent. Ah sure have a cup of tea, it'll be grand.

I'll let you goRoscommon

A polite way of ending a telephone call or conversation.

Here, I'll let you go.

He means wellAll Ireland

Irish for: he is a disaster, but a sincere one.

He painted de kitchen orange while we were away. Ah, he means well.

With all due respectAll Ireland

Said right before an insult, making sure the person is due none.

Wit all due respect, Father, ya couldn't referee a game of Snap.

Now in a whileAll Ireland

At some point. Possibly today. Possibly never. Do not wait in.

I'll do de dishes now in a while, Mam.

God love himAll Ireland

Pity and a put down in one breath. Like the American 'bless his heart', only with more rosary beads.

He tried to fix de boiler himself, God love him. De fire brigade were very nice about it.

Ah sure lookKildare

A conversational closer indicating resignation or dismissal.

What do you think? ah sure look...

Did you do that yourself?All Ireland

An innocent question that is not a compliment. Asked with a smile about a haircut or a home job.

Lovely shelf. Did ye do dat yerself?

In your own timeWestmeath

Sounds like 'take your time'. Means 'hurry up'.

Grand so, in yer own time dere, de Mass is only after startin'.

Yeah rightWaterford

Absolutely not. Most often used as a sarcastic response.

Mammy: "I hear they're givin out free blaas down at de spraoi?"

CityMayo

A one-pub town, used ironically.

Any crac in the city last night

I will, alrightSligo

An emphatic sarcastic declaration meaning the exact opposite: absolutely not.

Will ya lend us a fiver till payday? -> I will alright!

You're grandDublin

A term used to tell someone no, or that you are fine without something.

Mammy: "Would you like a cup of tea, son?"

You will yeah!Cork +1

An expression of disbelief or sarcasm meaning "I know you will not".

Jump over that wall? you will yeah!

You would yeahCork +1

A sarcastic interjection used to express disbelief or to mockingly dismiss an empty threat made by another.

I'll claim ya, so I will... You would yeah!

I will in me eyeCork

A sarcastic, emphatic denial meaning absolutely not.

Will you lend us a tenner?" "I will in me eye!

I doubt soLeitrim

An ironic use of doubt to express likelihood. Thus "I doubt so" actually means "I probably will."

Will you be there tonight packie? I doubt so...

Does a priest say mass?Kerry

A sarcastic affirmative reply to an obvious question.

Are you going drinkin tonight?

Were you born in a field?Waterford

A sarcastic expression used to ask someone (normally a younger person) if they would close the door behind them.

Mam: "Would you ever close the door, were you born in a field or something?"

Aint you greatWexford

An ironic or sarcastic expression of praise for an achievement, often implying the opposite.

Aint you great for getting all A's in your exams

GiftCarlow +1

General term used to express that things have gone one's way; or sarcastically when they have not.

Ahh lads, that last goal was a pure gift in all fairness, shocking bad like, me nerves are shot!!!

Behave wellRoscommon

To do well or succeed, often deployed sarcastically as a rhetorical question after a mishap.

Didn't ya behave well to lose your phone?

ShayLeitrim

Sarcastic expression of disbelief. Abbreviation of "I would say so."

(The teacher) 'You'll read the part of Maggie; you have a good strong voice.' (Yer wan) 'I'd shay!'

Is it, ya?Sligo

An expression of strong disbelief or sarcastic confirmation.

Ye're goin up to Dublin to meet the President, is it, ya?

Mar DheaRoscommon

Irish for 'as if' 'as it were' 'ya right'; also when pretending. Used sarcastically, mostly by older people in West Roscommon. Pr: maur ya.

He said he was up all morning, mar dhea.

Hup she boyoKerry

An ironic or highly inappropriate exclamation of celebration, often used when hearing news that is actually grim or unwelcome.

Your mother passed away, you say? Hup she boyo.

Sickened on yeSligo

An ironic expression of mock sympathy or schadenfreude.

Barred from Envy? Sickened on ye!

As far as turn backCork

Very Politely tell a person where you are going without telling them!

Nosey Person: 'Where are you going?'. Answer is 'As Far As Turn Back.'

Blind ya with chatRoscommon

Sarcastic phrase meaning the opposite of what is said, i.e. the person talks excessively.

I was talkin' to him yesterday, he'd blind ya with chat so he would. She wouldn't blind you with chat now.

New lineTipperary

An old road, ironically referred to as new.

I'll take the new line to Cahir.

Going like a bombCavan

Sarcastic description of a car or machine that functions only once before failing.

Aw jaysus yea it's going like a bomb.

No harmKilkenny

All right, acceptable, or yes (often with a note of reservation).

Well lad you comin' down to down 2 Lalors for a few jars?