Stress refers to where we put the emphasis in a given word. In English, the stress is often irregular and can be difficult for people learning the language to master. Compare:
desert VS dessert
a record VS to record
content creation VS I am content
The rules for stress in Irish vary by dialect but are generally consistent and straight forward. The patterns in this article apply to both Connacht and Ulster dialects. The Munster dialect has more complex rules and details on dialect specific rules can be found in the dialect section.
Gaeilge
/ˈɡeːlʲɟɪ/
ríomhaire
/ˈɾˠiːvˠəɾʲə/
grianghrafadóireacht
/ˈɡrʲiən̪ˠˌɣɾˠafˠˌaːd̪ˠoːɾʲəxt̪ˠ/
In Irish, the stress is usually on the first syllable. See the examples on the left (audio below).
The only exception to this rule are words with the Old Irish a- and i(s)- prefixes (mainly used in adverbs) and some foreign loan words.
the prefix i(s)- comes from the Old Irish in or into (for example: isteach comes from is tech or ‘into the house’).
the prefix a- has a similar meaning in Old Irish (for example: amach comes from i mmach or ‘into the meadow, field).
many loan words with irregular stress tends to be words of French origin or modern English loans.
isteach, inniu, inné
/əʃˈtʲæːx/, /əˈn̠ʲu/, /əˈn̠ʲeː/
amach, amuigh, atá
/əˈmˠax/, /əˈmˠu/, /əˈt̪ˠɑː/
tobac,
/t̪ˠəˈbˠaːk/