Irish is a wonderful language for saying how you feel. Where English has a handful of pet names, Irish has a whole treasure chest of them – words for treasure, for heartbeat, for secret love. From our studio in Co. Limerick, love prints are some of the designs we enjoy making most, and they are always the ones people ask about: "How do you actually say it?"
So here is our friendly guide. The pronunciation hints are simple approximations, and you will hear small differences between Munster, Connacht and Ulster Irish.
A quick note on that extra "h"
You will notice that grá sometimes turns into ghrá, and croí into chroí. In Irish, little words like mo (my) soften the first letter of the next word, and in writing this is shown by adding an "h". So "love" is grá, but "my love" is mo ghrá. Once you know this, a lot of Irish suddenly makes sense.
Grá – love
Say it: graw.
The everyday word for love, used for romantic love, family love and love of place alike. It is short, warm and instantly recognisable – which is why it is one of our most popular words. See the Grá definition print.
Mo ghrá – my love
Say it: muh GHRAW (the "gh" is a soft sound at the back of the throat).
The simplest way to call someone "my love". You can also say mo ghrá thú (muh ghraw hoo) – "you are my love". When you speak directly to someone, you can also use a ghrá – "love" or "my love", as in "Come here, a ghrá".
Our Mo Ghrá love heart print has a sweet, cottage-style look that suits a bedroom or kitchen.
Mo chroí – my heart
Say it: muh KHREE ("ch" as in Scottish "loch").
Croí means heart, and mo chroí – "my heart" – is one of the most tender things you can call someone. It is used for partners, children and anyone very dear. See the Mo Chroí love heart print, or the simple Croí definition print.
Grá mo chroí – love of my heart
Say it: graw muh KHREE.
Put the two together and you get grá mo chroí, "love of my heart" – a beautiful phrase for wedding and anniversary gifts.
Have a look at the Grá Mo Chroí print.
A chuisle mo chroí – pulse of my heart
Say it: uh KHUSH-la muh KHREE.
Cuisle means pulse or vein. To call someone a chuisle mo chroí is to say they are as vital to you as your own heartbeat. It is an old and much-loved phrase, and one of the most romantic in the language. Our Cuisle definition print explains the meaning beneath the word.
Tá grá agam duit – I love you
Say it: taw graw AG-um ditch.
Irish does not really have a verb "to love" in the way English does. Instead, you say tá grá agam duit – literally "there is love at me for you". We think that is rather lovely: love as something you hold and give.
See the Tá Grá Agam Duit print on forest green.
More Irish terms of endearment
A few more pet names you may hear, or read in old songs and poems:
- A stór (uh STORE) – "my treasure", "my darling". See the Stór definition print.
- A stóirín (uh STORE-een) – "my little treasure", often used for children.
- A rún (uh ROON) – literally "secret", used to mean "my beloved". You will know it from the traditional song Siúil a Rún.
- Mo mhuirnín (muh WUR-neen) – "my darling", the origin of the old English word "mavourneen".
Beyond romance: anam cara and the Claddagh
Love in Irish is not only romantic. Anam cara (ON-um KAR-a) means "soul friend" – the person who truly knows you. It is a perfect word for a partner who is also your best friend. See the Anam Cara definition print.
And then there is the Claddagh, from the fishing village of Claddagh in Galway. Its hands stand for friendship, its heart for love and its crown for loyalty – a whole relationship in one small symbol. Our Crowned Claddagh Grá print gives it a folk-art twist.
Using Irish in a card or a message
You do not need to be fluent to use these words. A few simple ideas:
- Start a card with A ghrá or A stór instead of "Dear".
- Sign off with grá mór – "lots of love", literally "big love".
- Write Tá grá agam duit on the inside and the English underneath, so the meaning is never lost.
Little touches like these turn an ordinary card into something they will keep in a drawer for years.
Choosing the right phrase
- For a wedding or anniversary: grá mo chroí, a chuisle mo chroí or tá grá agam duit
- For Valentine's Day: mo ghrá or mo chroí
- For a best friend: anam cara
- For a child's room: a stóirín or mo chroí
You will find all of these and more in our Irish Love Prints collection. Every print is made to order on premium semi-glossy 200 gsm paper and shipped unframed.
Say it with grá
Whether you whisper it, write it in a card or hang it on the wall, a few words of Irish can say "I love you" in a way that feels a little more special. Browse the collection, and remember that 10% off everything is applied automatically at checkout.
Go raibh maith agat – Adam