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Old Irish

American  

noun

  1. the Irish language before c900. OIr, OIr.


Old Irish British  

noun

  1. the Celtic language of Ireland up to about 900 ad , introduced to Scotland by Irish settlers about 500 a.d

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Old Irish

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Medieval goats displayed a broader range of genetic variation, while modern Old Irish Goats show clear signs of inbreeding.

From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2026

Historically known as 'an Gabhar Fiáin' -- the wild goat -- the Old Irish Goat occupies a unique place in Irish folklore.

From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2026

The team reported he was last seen at The Old Irish Pub in Barcelona.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2022

This book retells the ninth-century Old Irish poem “Pangur Ban,” a monk’s simple reflections on his companionship with his cat and the parallels between his scholarly pursuit of knowledge and the cat’s playful hunting.

From New York Times • Nov. 3, 2016

Old Irish Mike has brought over his whole stableful of saddle horses and I was raised in Kentucky.

From Down the Mother Lode by Hemphill, Vivia