Old Irish

American  

noun

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

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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

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Etymology

Origin of Old Irish

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

When researchers compared the genomes of these ancient animals with modern breeds, they found the closest genetic match was the critically endangered Old Irish Goat still surviving today.

From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2026

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

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

Beltené is the modern Irish name for the month of May, and is derived from an ancient root preserved in the Old Irish compound epelta, “dead.”

From Myths & Legends of the Celtic Race by Rolleston, T. W. (Thomas William)