How to do an Irish Accent

In this video, we're going to learn how to speak an Irish accent.
Whenever you're learning a new accent, it helps to isolate sounds that are specific to that accent. So as we play with these sounds, I encourage you to pause the video and practice these words out loud. They may feel strange at first, but they become beautiful once you live in them a little.
💚 For the sake of my green-blooded friends, please note that not all Irish accents sound the same. Every region, county, and town seems to have it's own unique quality. The accent that I teach in this video is modelled after the beautiful and talented actress Saoirse Ronan. She grew up about an hour-and-half South of Dublin in Carlow, Ireland. I just love her lilt!
The first major sound within the Irish accent that gives it a wonderful jumping off place, is the Irish I. In an Irish accent, it is less, I and more Oi (as in oil). Start first, just getting the sense of it, and then gradually understate it.
Part 1: Sounds
I
height
sight
plight
right
Ireland
Practice sentence: Fortune smiled upon him in Ireland. It’s not quite the right shade of blue. I’ll be having some of that oil.
Next, we have our R sounds. In an Irish accent, the R’s are certainly pronounced.
Park
start
Garden
Work
Hard
Earth
worth
Practice sentence: You’re such a hard worker. What on earth are you doing? When do you start school?
Our next sound is the shift from Ow to EHW.
Mouth
hour
sour
Flower
down
Round
pound
sound
how
Practice sentence: We don’t have to go to
work for another hour. Lemons are sour. Flowers grow in the garden.
Practice works from OH to OWH
Home
blown
alone
grown
Stone
known
road
load
coat
feel the vowel come all the way to the lips while opening the throat.
Practice sentence: I know I met him on the road a short time ago.
Part 2: Melody and Pitch
The irish accent is known for being very melodic. The phrases tend to have a up and down sort of dreamy lilt to them.
Don’t take it so personal.
And that was the sort of this he wanted to tell me ya’ see.
Would you care to go out?
Sure, and that’ll be the end of it.
Longer practice phrases
Wait till I tell ya’s what I read in the paper. I never heard the like in me life!
Like I says to ya’s. That’s really very true. And sure you’ll be after knowing the truth of it, somewhere along the road anyways.
It’s not a date the way you’re thinking and I’m done telling ya. End of discussion.

[@adhamhmacconchobhair7565]

Ireland has a different accent every 20mins of land

[@rogandoyle9731]

@@United-Nations well said

[@RB-NZ2]

Adam gway baii will ya

[@noir8864]

Adam Same for England tbh

[@tomcanham9218]

same for America... it's just y'all only see "TV accent" (nobody actually talks like that)@@noir8864

[@Eudora776]

Yeah that's anywhere

[@yaboiryacu1214]

The chat is 90% offended Irish people 5% unoffended Irish people 5% percent people who actually want to learn the accent

[@stephaniejones2986]

I like 5% unoffended Irish people is a good sign. I think that must mean it's a really good accent tape.

[@sansatiny6296]

I'm the 5% Of people who just wants to learn to use an Irish accent

[@irontemplar6222]

We are fucking Irish if it wasnt for the invention of alcoahol we would have conquered everyone.

[@hopemoon8542]

I really want to learn i do love irish people ..a big fan of conor mc

[@ThyMotherInSpirit]

@@irontemplar6222 Shit that Made my day lol

[@aotoura224]

im already Irish what am I doing

[@johnoshea193]

I'm here because of how much she butchered this

[@sunsetcurve4591]

Same

[@abdalla_xx7865]

and arrmyyy

[@depaulafaverothyerry9460]

I need you my girlfriend its from your contry, i know nothing abolt your contry 😂 😂

[@ToniLovesSkateboarding]

its the youtube hole, hahaha. i do it all the time. ive been skateboarding for 29 years and I always find myself watching videos of people learning how to skate... I guess the process is entertaining

[@DislikeThisCommentNow]

How to have a perfect Irish accent: Step one: be Irish Step two: live in Ireland Step tree: drink Guinness

[@fionakirwan9169]

Yo that cracked me up 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I'm from tipp btw

[@hellworm]

**Is irish* **lives in california** **is 12-ish**

[@anonymousshitposter1743]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ziwaang2250]

You forgot eating potatoes

[@lilhades9484]

Accidentally had coitus with a sheep, instructions not clear

[@YG-nx9be]

Parents: you should learn how to speak german! Me: I WANNA LEARN IRISH ACCENT!!

[@tpwksammar7303]

I speak German and i think its a bit hard to learn german when you speak a other language cause German is hard to learn but not for people that live here

[@hyoyul7023]

Midnight Memories_1D Das bullshit, i learned german for 3-4 months just by watching german movies and i never lived there

[@ahsokatanosony]

@@tpwksammar7303 I speak german as well, germans always say that their lingo is hard lingo but honestly there way more complex languages. People should face facts' instate ! Deutsche sprache schwere sprache ja zum kukkuk

[@jassitv2383]

I am german and watch irish accent videos XD

[@PBM24]

Don't learn German trust me, languages like Spanish and French are much more worth it

[@TheDanielmeeks]

I’m walking around Ireland right now saying “flowers grow in the garden,” they just tossed me into the loony bin.

[@DrHerculesReal]

You are too much! I can't stop laughing over here!

[@TimVolkovPhD]

Roitly sou!

[@Astem1999]

Lmfao I’m gonna try this soon

[@madona3105]

LOL I was serious 😂😂 sh*t 😆

[@that_girl_with_the_afro]

Ha hahaha 😂

[@fantasykatie4675]

I have an Irish (Carlow) accent so i don’t know why I’m watching this 😂 almost every county in Ireland has a different accent

[@ericadalton4852]

fantasykatie same

[@DragonBreathStu]

That's so true this is very generalised

[@unavailableuser1624]

Ikr, but it was on my recommendation 😂😂

[@MCreeper-eg9xy]

every.. country.. in Ireland? Think about that for a second

[@isobelbriody7770]

fantasykatie same😂

[@Gabriella01111]

No one: Me: *perk, goyerdan, perk, goyerdan, goyerdan, perk, perk, goyerdan*

[@aishsaras7105]

Jacksepticeye makes much more sense now

[@bvnny5274]

Aish Saras I came here because of him

[@johndrew4412]

@@bvnny5274 i came for RTgame

[@AbsoluteAbsurd]

I came her cuz im Irish and i wanna see the comments

[@biosh4x]

I was just thinking the same thing... My family sounds nothing like this

[@ciaranohagan5726]

ffs his catchphrase isnt even said by the irish. We hate when people say "top of the morning"

[@leejohnson.]

Speaking to myself saying random shit got me dying 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Idkwtcbhig]

Me too 🤣🤣

[@monkeybusiness673]

Flers DO groh in the gairden, tho! So it's not all random :-D

[@invizcharlie9477]

Not funny. Didn't laugh.

[@starrglaze4209]

Meet too😂

[@notdragomanje4492]

Ahahahahha

[@LOLMELOLYOU]

lost my American accent completely cheers

[@unavlble]

And people don't take you seriously when you speak with your irish accent? Eventhough you are? Same

[@bianca2023l]

-RiZe- lol

[@joemills3654]

I could tell.

[@liamii5603]

But we still like Jackscepticeye even tho he's Irish

[@AbsoluteAbsurd]

Lol

[@anatomicalpuppet]

My newest D&D character has an Irish accent, and I’m trying to get more into the role play accent. Super helpful!!

[@bee3644]

Saaammme Well, she was originally scottish but my stupid ass decided, "no, lets do the accent you're bad at"

[@SchmidtJustGotReal]

Me too!!

[@pieboat]

Glad I'm not the only one

[@mollygrace2666]

Same same same same same and it happened by absolute accident. I opened my mouth to play her and this is what came out

[@Beasterbunny]

Yes, this is why I'm here as well. Accents are a fun part of roleplaying, at least for me.

[@jaycemusgrove938]

I voice cracked while doing this! So I was like “It’s not quite the right shade oUUUUfF BlOHHHUH

[@iamhis4749]

DogwithaGopro Haha, this cracked me up so bad i nearly choked on me M&M's 😂

[@bvnny5274]

Me: *watches jackseptieye* 5 minutes later Me: *watches this video*

[@rafaelmorales4534]

is jackseptieye irish?

[@vircubillos]

@@rafaelmorales4534 Yes

[@ANTlSEPTlCEYE]

Same

[@nori2044]

Me: listens to niall horan talk

[@ZJM-pg6fx]

Every damn time I try to do an Irish impression it instantly turns into a Australian accent

[@lorrainefire6024]

Dude same lol

[@JuneCreat.r]

Mine turns brit

[@Scriblyn]

I'm Irish and this is mildly exaggerated but I love it. I really enjoy stretching my accent to sound purposefully exaggerated and it's lots of fun. Like yeah I have the accent but I can still make it _more_ Irish.

[@JohnplayzYT29]

Same.

[@farrel_ra]

maybe u're the one who doesn'st master the accent yet even tho u're from there...

[@She-wolf3636]

My uncle is Scottish and he does that same thing.

[@d1zguy864]

M upload a video please

[@MommahKat]

I wish all accent learning videos were structured like this. Too many just say the differences and only give a word example. The practice list for both words and sentences on top of hearing you repeat them several times is so much better. Specially for someone like me who catches on to accents quickly by hearing it over and over again. Hearing the breakdown helps but hearing it in extended practice solidifies it for me.

[@ianvite99]

i am so obsessed with the way you record your content. everything is so organized and well approached.

[@MadeleineHarveyVoice]

Thank you Ian!

[@ciaranohagan5726]

She started as a southern accent then moved on to a northern accent. When she says 'what an earth are ye doing' She sounds like she is from derry lol

[@cloutan2746]

Me trying to perfect drunken sailor:

[@ellaclaudine]

I love Irish ascents

[@MadeleineHarveyVoice]

Me too!!! It's the music of my soul!

[@alpinion323]

the descents are nice too...

[@joeftzpatrick5376]

Thank you

[@loohser222]

Ella Is lame tank u

[@m0nsterarts267]

Well if y want to get better u have to CURSE in every sentence trust me I live in ireland

[@chloesworld9913]

Hi Madeliene you really helped me with an Irish accent, as I was actually born in Ireland in Clara but moved to Australia when I was 2 but now I'm 13 and we are going to be moving back to Ireland and this really helped as I lost my Irish accent and want it back again as I'm going to move back there so thank you so much!

[@davidmanolache7536]

*God damn it i just wanna know how to speak like Conor McGregor*

[@urospetrov5216]

Flowers grow in the garden

[@corcon6976]

Break bus.

[@cosmonautilus1181]

Mah mah mah mah mah MOI FOOT WAS A BAHLOON

[@heatherdoyle1243]

Conor mcGregor has a scumbag accent. 🙃

[@adhamhmacconchobhair7565]

@@urospetrov5216 u made me die 🤣💀

[@ErrolBeats]

Fleowers greow in the gearden.

[@FeLiciiaable]

Now I'm obsessed with the Irish accent!

[@boybakyatv4396]

Filipino here. My mom named me Patrick and I'm so fascinated with everything Irish. I love the accent, I also want to learn Irish Gaelic language, and I love Shamrock music.

[@roisinb.2587]

I'm from cork city. Why am I here.

[@notthedroidyourelookingfor8425]

Joe.ie

[@butterflyg2798]

I'm from Cork too!!

[@evan9080]

Melvin G what

[@PlzTouchSomeGrass]

Same

[@AmishPoet12]

UP LIMERICK

[@bangfriedhamtacos7107]

Irishmen:I’m offended Jacksepticeye:thuts noothin’ like we soound

[@elliegregory201]

Irish accents is music to my ears I just love it whenever I hear it as I have an Irish mate, however his accent changes depending where he is so if he is at school his accent isn’t so broad but when at home his accent it just so different and it’s interesting I love it and it’s funny cuz I’m picking up his words 😂

[@natacialallathin7774]

Im irish but born in america so i kinda want to learn more of the accents also no ones gonna talk about how beautiful that sweater is

[@sgt7]

Great video. This Irish accent is most similar to the accent you would hear in Northern Ireland. The Irish accent varies hugely throughout the country. I don't really think there is an Irish accent - only Irish accents (such as the Dublin accent, the Kerry accent, the Louth accent etc).

[@2TimesTheGaming]

Hi Madeleine, I'm from Ireland and this isn't too bad of an attempt it's certainly better than our attempt at an American accent! I have one tip for you and that is that a cúpla focal as gaeilge (a few words in Irish) are thrown into everyday conversation for example "craic" is the Irish word used for "fun" and "ceol" is the Irish word for "music". These words are usually used together to describe an event such as a family gathering or party for example "the craic agus ceol was mighty" meaning "the fun and music was great"! Slán leat!

[@daleredmond6322]

Ciaran Cahill where exactly do they say that 😂😂😂 the rest of Ireland might say craic for what's the craic etc but don't say other Irish words like ceol we say music

[@vomitdev]

Where i’m from craic is used very liberally but most people don’t know a lot of irish as it isn’t mandatory to learn in school. So you’d see your friend and say “any craic” which is the same as like “what’s the bars” or “what’s happening?”(happening pronounced without the ‘p’ sound so you get “hannin”) and then some people use agus as a kind of filler between sentences but it’s not very common

[@stingray6154]

Ciaran Cahill wow, thank you! I’m American and the Irish accent is my favorite. I could listen to it all day but it’s the one accent that I’m horrible at. Any other advice? Also, is American considered a difficult accent? Most Americans think we have no accent at all but speak the most bland type of English, aka boring. Cheers 😊

[@M.V6969]

Ciaran Cahill do you jace an instagram so I can ask you questions about Ireland please.

[@donnalawless7873]

Not too bad? Ciaran, come on!!!!!

[@macailaflorence6295]

I swear my accent turns British whenever I try to do any of these sentences 😭😭😭😭

[@confident8132]

macaila florence same

[@BarelloSmith]

@@confident8132Well, Irland is a British island so I assume you're doing good? xD

[@musiclover48576]

It’s videos like these that make me appreciate the fact I have an Irish accent and don’t need to try learn one😂

[@Endacodking]

Let me tell you lady I'm not Irish and I've never practice before I've just heard Irish people speak and I do a pretty good I'm just watching videos improve my accents so take that Beach 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@hadeskingoftheunderworld7010]

God i wish im here for dnd and want to learn a few different accents decided to start with irish the r sound was so hard to get right

[@Giranii]

@@hadeskingoftheunderworld7010 that awesome because Im here for d&d too

[@petehuda7457]

Great makeup

[@wintrrbxtch8262]

My New York accent is so strong 😭😭 I can’t do it

[@lindawilliams5858]

I found you clearer than any instructor for Irish accent ever! Especially the comparison with the English sounds, the repetition provided with a list of similar sounding words, and the very evocative descriptions of things like the "small" sounds, the bending, etc. I do have questions on three areas I've noticed but would love instruction on: 1. The lingering on the "L" sound; 2. the dropping of the "g" at the end of "ing"; and the very articulated "t" and "tt" sounds (eg., little). I've noticed these things but don't know how to work them. Might you help in your clear way? Thank you, Madeleine!

[@JJhugganstuff]

Thanks so much for this, Madeleine! I'd love to see you do a video for all of the accents you feel most comfortable with, honestly. We never know when we might have to do an accent we're not used to, for an audition, or something.

[@LexandKayYoureGeye]

I can do a British accent like it’s second nature, but this is killing me. Thanks for explaining it so well!

[@georgeunknown6381]

I'm Russian. My English is getting better and better after your lessons! Thanks a lot!

[@bb-xo8fk]

Irish person:BEST DAY OF MY FECKIN LIFE. Person: What about our wedding day. Irish preson: FECK THAT AND WHEN THE KIDS WERE BORN EVEN WORSE.

[@loudloveen]

I've lived in Ireland for over 10 years and watched countless videos on Irish accent. Yours is the best! When your native language isn't English it's much harder to do it, though.

[@amykissane4710]

Hello! I'm from Ireland, the South West county of Kerry. Here in Kerry we have this weird thing where everytime we say a word with an S we pronounce it SH. So it'd be Shound instead of sound. Also, your R is more Northen Ireland and The O and I are more Dublin/Midlands as far as I can tell. Decent video though.

[@madmaddox3451]

I just did this tutorial and every time I meet a person i convince them im irish lololol

[@lilymurphy1151]

I love how i am irish and im watching this😂

[@aidan_joshua289]

I lived in Ireland with my Irish family for a year and came back with an accent from cork. My families not even from cork we’re from Galway 😂😂

[@playdeadartviewing]

You are the best and most professional teacher of an accent on earth!

[@WhoAmIWhereAreWe]

This was delightful - your use of your hands and proficiency in bother American and Irish accents provokes a feeling of ASMR

[@karacnewland93]

Thank you 🙏 so much Madeleine ☺️ I am of Irish blood ☘️ & loved to learn this & connect to my heritage. You are a big help 🙏

[@BR4INZ]

I'm planning on moving to Ireland so imma watch all these types of videos

[@parkeobrien7526]

You are an excellent teacher. You are so talented. Kind of brought tears to my eyes.

[@sophiemyrensteinnes4503]

You are so nice! 😍

[@manbearpigxoxox]

This is the one question that I ask myself everyday 3:05

[@EdwinBenny]

"Your such a hard worker," that had me dyin

[@AliMadhloom964]

What amazing accent.. all love 2 Irish ppl from iraq 💜😄

[@user-ff5pt4yi2i]

When I was with my friend she told me I had an Irish Accent and I was honestly shocked because I did not notice it and I have been friends with her for a while and she’s just telling me this now!

[@baka030hydroid]

Thanks for making this video! I'm of Irish heritage, but without growing up around the accent, it didn't carry over to me. I'm trying to attend a historical group, and in order to do it, I have to be in character, accent and all. Now thanks to this video, I can do my Irish brethren proud!

[@maw5646]

Nice, I’ve been needing this for a long time. You should do more practice phrases for an Irish accent, like an entire video’s worth.

[@MadeleineHarveyVoice]

I'm happy to oblige!

[@maw5646]

Madeleine Harvey 🇮🇪

[@darleistaudt8976]

I am grateful to you so much!!!

[@Evanw10282]

hi guys i just found out that lemons were sour

[@immigratoclandestino6259]

3:11 every conversation with my relatives ever

[@Imiksiiwi]

I lost her in the end of the video, the accent got too heavy I have no freaking idea of what she is saying lol

[@yeeeowwchh]

Lol my dad has this super thick Irish accent and I used to speak in one but I lost it, now I'm tryna relearn

[@mozfan2436]

You're a traitor to your culture

[@yeeeowwchh]

@@mozfan2436 Indeed

[@davidran9317]

It is blessing to learn and love while we are in this body. Amazing people Irish are!

[@therapperpig5474]

Be loud that's a option (it's a joke I love Irish and Ireland 🇮🇪 )

[@nonamedgirl2968]

an*

[@VaperMad]

I am from Ireland I like u

[@cytenziast]

i mean i'm Irish and i'm not really that loud lol

[@Nunyobidne55]

I dig your sweater thingy

[@hx1487]

Your voice is so nice to listen to

[@Aubrae]

You should do more accents please! This was amazing! So helpful.

[@TheDreamMixer]

The only complaint is that the practise words is not in the same order as in the video, othwise it was a really good and helpful video.

[@gavineveritt736]

I was born in America and I'm 50 percent, Irish. I didn't really need to practice, I always had a good Irish accent.

[@cal1k]

You're amazing at describing what your mouth does during these sounds. Makes all the difference.

[@taylorwalker6654]

Are you going to do more of these? I find them incredibly useful for my DnD campaign!

[@WildWaver]

This is my favourite accent video on the site. I'm working on changing my voice because I don't like the pitch and scratch of it, so I'm going through channels to learn more about pitch and trying different accents to learn about the mouth feel. This is the first one that really helped, and I love that you put the information in the description!

[@oskarcollison1801]

What is her natural accent She sounds English with the T’s and American with other sounds

[@davekeeg6868]

Her natural accent is talking shite

[@irishcountrygirl78]

@@davekeeg6868 🤣🤣🤣

[@dalerose9701]

U r very good with teaching the Irish accent. I'm a born n raised American with the Irish accent. I'm half Irish n I was listen to a movie Tht has the Irish accent in it n every since I watch it I've had the wonderful Irish accent

[@chrisallan6069]

I met a girl I love who is Irish this just hits my hart and reminds me of her beautiful voice

[@cutiesalt2189]

this helped me sooo much!!! you do such a good job explaining the sounds, thank you

[@70X1CW4S7E]

Some how I end up at these types of videos at 2 o’clock in the morning but this was really helpful!

[@laurencorrigan2356]

There are different Irish accents. This is one of them (very good job btw) but there are more. I am from Dublin and I speak completely different to this.

[@carringtonhawthorne3177]

I have a callback tomorrow and was told to be prepared to try the Irish accent. So, here I am. This is helpful!

[@pattmcgood3790]

Terrific on the accent - Irish- how about a part 2??? loved it. Thanks

[@nattiberrington]

I'm trying to learn the Irish accent for a part I'm trying out for in my school's musical... yeah, trying to learn this accent with a mostly West Michigan accent combined lightly with a city South Texas accent is interesting.

[@uhuhuhuhchaesoo7082]

I'm an irish so I already know XD

[@gauloab4815]

why are you watching this lad?

[@yevheniyar6318]

ive got a british accent and this is so hard to try to learn

[@mrsryanclapham]

I like how I can start to learn to improve my Irish accent. I do understand the way to really get any accent down is to go to the country and immerse yourself in the culture. As with any culture there are several regional accents. The chance to learn and practice is the important part for me as an actress.

[@thepersonwhoinvented2unski919]

I’m from Norway and I love Ireland

[@skeptical6666]

Dear Madeleine, thanks for this cool videotutorial :) Will you explain Scotland, US and Australian accents the same way in the future lessons? It should be the great videos!

[@muriio529]

As a suggestion to make it easier for your viewers next time you could put subtitles for the sentence practices because one who is not used to hearing such accents might not understand the words

[@jsrss]

Fantastic. So well done. Now on to practice, practice, practice! 😊

[@hubert6260]

Who's there after watching Derry's Girls

[@JulieChanDoitsu]

I see you're a man of culture

[@RosheenQuynh]

I was kind of hoping for the breakdown of the T sound at the end of some words (i.e. hot). I'm not sure what it is but it's one of the most pleasant sounds my ears have ever heard speech-wise. I love it.

[@Elfmain]

I think I'm going to watch this so many times a day until I get it down. Damn you D&D.

[@entityflex]

I painted my hair green I watched this video And I have become Jacksepticeye

[@M.J44]

Gonna surprise my buddies across the pond with this

[@syncringe1885]

Anyway else feel like a child in school listening to this? Also thank you for this amazing video. I wish I had found this sooner as I am going to a renaissance fair as an Irishman as I am part irish.

[@garrencrystal1]

Could you please break down the scottish accent? I really enjoyed this video!

[@Minnie11chula]

Sounds like a Northern Ireland accent.

[@darraghhennigan3191]

Minnie11chula yea it does

[@TheAlchemiss]

'Tis

[@Pwelawrence]

Minnie11chula I agree or a really strong cork or Dublin accent 🤣

[@johnobrien8962]

Minnie11chula it is because I live in ireland and I live in cork in Ireland so I speak different

[@lorrainemahon3959]

It is norther

[@endingwidya]

"Irish". It reminds me of Niall

[@Sky-nx6hv]

Ending Widya OH MYGOD YES

[@lamont8789]

He’s why I’m here

[@emilyl1326]

Same

[@Antisocialsoul9]

Same

[@bugnationn]

SAME.

[@markwheeler4245]

I’ve always loved hearing women speak with an Irish accent it’s very attractive imo, excellent accent 👌🏻

[@driver13g27]

Jesus Christ that seems hard as hell, really hope the Irish don't take it as an insult if you continuously deny to speak with an Irish accent

[@REBORNCENTRALGaming]

You do realise its more so a stereotypical Irish accent?

[@xaviermounla6613]

This is so hard 😭

[@queenwillliveon8433]

Dont worry if you practice every day you will get this I know is hard but with practice you will do anything. I believe in you!✨

[@jaydenmarie9697]

No its not just keep practing im full irish

[@decoy_acc6324]

I'm gonna troll my friends

[@juless3568]

I admire how you practice an Irish accent. While I can only say a few words in Gaelic, imagine what it would be like to speak and write it? I encourage you as you might require it for your singing. The other prerequisite would be that with Gaelic we can understand Irish culture and Irish history more profoundly.

[@arsymila978]

Honestly irish accent is verry difficult for me, but i'm so interested to hear it