Comment by Gerard Cappa on July 30, 2013 at 2:54pm

Good point, Rónán. In the north (apart from the Belfast and Derry city accents) I'd say each county has two distinct accents, and then also a series of shifting gradations between these.

Comment by Bit Devine on July 30, 2013 at 3:24pm

Even the turning of a phrase tells a person where you are from.

I will tell you that the most trouble you will ever have in untangling an Irish accent is in talking to a corkman just fresh outta the pub at three o'clock in the morning via long distance  ;-)

 

Comment by Ryan O'Rourke on July 31, 2013 at 12:58pm

I think to others living in places across the globe, even the regional accents which sound the most divergent from one another to a trained Irish ear sound quite similar.  The same is true for most places ... the U.S.A. being a possible exception due mainly to the fact that so many folks regularly view American television and films.

Comment by Gerard Cappa on July 31, 2013 at 2:23pm

I remember meeting an American fella in Switzerland one time, and having a long chat as we sheltered from a thunderstorm. When the weather cleared, and we were each about to go our own way, he asked me when was I going back home to Germany.

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