Chaminade’s Fall play “Philadelphia, Here I Come!” features several characters who speak in Irish accents.

To CCP actors like Jack Estopare, Jonah Copley, and Ethan McDaniel, the Irish dialect seems to be like “all the dialects mashed together into one.”

James Wingbermuehle (’25) says that “the accents adds to the storytelling of the show and, of course, is historically accurate because of the Irish setting of the show.”

However, here are some simple Irish tips and common phrases to interest you or for you to learn yourself!

ESTO VIR – The “eh” sound changes to an “ee” sound, and the “oh” should be an elongated sound. (Say it for a longer duration). This makes the “ESTO” sound like “ee – stohhh”. “VIR” is “vayr”, because the “ir” sounds like “ay”. (ee- STOHHH vayr).

MAUCLERC – The “oh” of “MAU” should be elongated. The “eh” sound of “CLERC” changes to an “ee”. (MOHHH- cleehr).

LAMOUROUS – The “aw becomes “aah”. The “uh” in “MOU” should sound like “ahh”. Finally, the “ooh” should be an elongated sound. (laah – mahh – ROOOH).

GRAY – Simply, the “eh” changes to an “ee”. (greeh).

MEYER – The “eye” sound changes to “uh-ee”. (muh-ee – yer).

O’DONNELL – The “oh” of O’D is elongated. The “aw” in “DON” becomes “aah” and should be elongated. The “uh” changes to more of an “aah sound” (OHH – DAAH – naahl).

^^^Fun Fact: “O’Donnell” is the last name of the play’s main character, Gar (pronounced Gayr/Gair), and has a primarily Irish origin.

SKIP VIRAGH – The “ih” changes to “eh” in “SKIP” and “VIR”. The “ah” sound of “AGH” should be elongated. (skehp – vehr – AHHH).

RED – Like “GREY”, the “eh” changes to an “ee”, but only slightly. (reehd)

WHITE – Like “MEYER”, the “eye” sound changes to “uh-ee” (whuh – eet)

Actress Pamela Reckamp has been assisting the actors with all dialect work. Below is an image of the Irish Dialect Sheet that actors have also been using to perfect accents for the show.