Each language has its own spelling rules. Remember the following points and your Irish spelling will improve!
• There are two groups of vowels: leathan (a, o and u) and caol (i and e). • These vowels can sometimes sit side by side in a word, e.g. ceart, siopa or ceannaigh.
• However, we have a rule to help us when one or more consonants are placed between two vowels, e.g. tusa, cúinne or even ceisteanna.
• The rule states that the vowel at each side of the consonant must be from the same group. Look at the following examples:
o tusa: u and a are from the same group (leathan). o cúinne: i and e are from the same group (caol).
o ceisteanna: i and e are from the same group (caol) and a and a are from the same group (leathan).
• There are some exceptions such as Gaeltacht, laethanta, drochthionchar, dea-cheist, arís, anseo.
