Launched at Killarney Train Station in partnership with Conradh na Gaeilge, the public call-out will help inform a new Gaeilge Pocket Phrase Card, giving passengers practical phrases they can use when travelling by rail.
Whether it's asking about train times, finding the right platform, ordering a coffee or striking up a conversation with another passenger, Iarnród Éireann wants to hear what people would like to be able to say in Irish.
Passengers can submit their suggestions through a short online survey, which is open until 5pm on Monday, 30 November.
The initiative follows a 2025 Gaeilge survey carried out by Iarnród Éireann and Conradh na Gaeilge, which received more than 7,100 responses. More than 65% of those surveyed said they felt positive about hearing Irish spoken on trains, but over one-third identified a lack of opportunities to use the language as a barrier to speaking it more often.
The new pocket guide aims to make everyday conversations in Irish more accessible, building on existing initiatives such as Fáinne On Board, as well as Gaeilge resources and training opportunities already available to Iarnród Éireann staff.
The launch in Killarney also featured young musicians from the town's Brú Ceoil, who performed traditional music for passengers travelling to Oireachtas na Samhna. The annual festival celebrating Irish-language arts and culture is taking place in Killarney from 28 October to 1 November.
As part of its support for the festival, Iarnród Éireann is also sponsoring the inaugural Croí Choláiste na Féile competition.
The contest is open to third-level Cumainn Ghaelacha, with a €1,000 prize for the winning society. Groups will earn points by attending and taking part in events throughout the festival.
Passengers have until 5pm on Monday, 30 November 2026, to submit the Irish phrases they would most like to see included in the new pocket guide.
