Irish Slang for Pretty Girls: What You Need to Know in Ireland

Say you’re grabbing a coffee on Grafton Street or kicking back at St. Stephen’s Green, and you overhear a group of lads chatting. Someone calls a girl a "ride" or maybe a “stunner.” In Ireland, those are just two common ways to say a girl is good-looking—and it’s not just about appearances, but a bit of attitude, too. Local phrases for pretty girls change from Cork to Donegal, but “ride” (don’t blush, it’s friendly!) is everywhere, and “dote” pops up in bigger towns. Don’t expect to hear “bonnie lass” unless you’ve hopped over to Scotland.

Trainers—yep, those Nikes or fresh New Balance—have a spot in all this chat. In Dublin, Galway, or Limerick, you’ll spot girls coordinating their best outfits with their favourite trainers, whether they’re heading for a pint at the local or catching the latest gig at the Olympia. The look says: “I know what’s cool, and I’m comfy about it.” So if you hear, “that one’s a savage ride in those runners,” yes, they’re talking about style and looks rolled into one.

• Slang for Pretty Girls Across Ireland
• How Trainers Became Part of the Craic
• When and Where to Use Irish Slang
• Tips for Blending In with Locals

Slang for Pretty Girls Across Ireland

Ask anyone on the street in Ireland, and you’ll get a different answer for what locals call a pretty girl. Still, a few classic slang terms come up, no matter where you are. The most typical one is ride. It’s totally normal to hear someone whisper, “She’s a ride,” around Temple Bar or at a GAA match. Don’t panic—here, “ride” just means someone who looks really good. It’s cheeky but not nasty, and you’re just as likely to hear it from girls as from lads.

Other popular words include “dote,” which your nan in Kerry might use, and “stunner,” a go-to in pretty much every Irish nightclub. If you head to Cork, you’ll probably get “fine thing,” while in Galway, “cracker” is sometimes thrown around. Some parts of the North say “quare one” or “wee doll”—those are more affectionate than cheeky. This isn’t just old-school talk either. Teens and twenty-somethings have kept these words alive on TikTok and Snapchat, sharing Irish style with the world.

For the record, here’s a handy cheat sheet of Irish slang and where you’ll hear them most often:

• Ride: Dublin, Limerick, just about everywhere
• Dote: Kerry, Waterford, Wexford
• Stunner: All over, especially in bigger towns
• Fine Thing: Cork city and county
• Cracker: Galway, Sligo
• Wee Doll/Quare One: Belfast and the north

Here’s a look at which slang gets most used based on a quick poll among Irish college students in 2024:

If you’re thinking of tossing one of these phrases into conversation, just watch your tone—it’s easy going, a little playful, not disrespectful. Pair it with a grin and you’ll sound right at home.

How Trainers Became Part of the Craic

Back in the early 2000s, if you rocked up to a GAA match in anything but chunky trainers, you’d stand out for the wrong reasons. Today, trainers aren’t just for sports—they’re the centrepiece of casual style across Irish slang circles, city and countryside. Whether you're queuing at Penneys for exclusive drops or checking out Irish collabs with brands like adidas and Reebok, trainers are everywhere. Even festival culture in Ireland—think Electric Picnic or Longitude—has pushed trainers into the spotlight. Nobody wants to ruin a pair of heels in muddy Stradbally.

Brands native to Ireland, like Gym+Coffee, spotted how big the casual look got and started making their own trainers. They aren’t as massive as Nike or Puma but have become a go-to for Dubliners keen on supporting local. Want to know which trainers rule the scene these days? Check the feet at Croke Park on match day or hit up JD Sports on Henry Street to see the latest hot sellers.

Trainers aren’t just style—they’re practical for city walking, country rambling, and even if the Irish weather turns (as it always does). Local schools, especially in larger counties like Cork or Limerick, often bend the uniform rules for fresh white trainers.

• If you call sneakers anything but trainers, you’ll stick out among Irish teens.
• Pair your runners with jeans, leggings, or even a dress—this look is ‘sound’, as locals would say.
• Some Irish girls customise their trainers with patches or coloured laces—get creative, and people notice.

It’s no wonder trainers have their own stories in local Irish slang—like being called “fresh” or “deadly” when they’re in top shape, or “boggin” if they’re a state. So if you’re heading out in Ireland, skip the fancy shoes and throw on a pair of your best trainers for instant ‘craic’ points at any event.

When and Where to Use Irish Slang

Irish slang isn’t something you drop just anywhere, and definitely not at a job interview. You’ll hear terms like “ride,” “stunner,” or “dote” mostly among friends, at the pub, or out shopping. In smaller towns like Sligo or Tullamore, people might be a bit more relaxed throwing out these words, especially after a GAA match or a night out at a place like The Porterhouse in Bray. Cities like Dublin and Cork tend to accept a bit more cheek, but always read the room—some older folks or quiet pubs won’t be impressed.

If you’re at an event like Electric Picnic, slang is everywhere. It’s part of how younger crowds talk, especially when hyping up stylish girls in trainers. Chat at the bar, outside a gig at Whelan’s, even in college societies at Trinity or UCC, you'll hear what’s trending. But if you’re in a family-style chipper or grabbing a coffee in a quiet cafe, maybe wait for the right crowd before you call someone a "savage ride."

For anyone new to Ireland, here are a few handy tips on how to use this Irish slang and not sound awkward:

• Avoid using slang in formal or work situations—it comes off as unprofessional.
• Listen first. See how your group of mates, colleagues, or classmates use the words before you jump in.
• When in a lively setting (pub, club, music fest), loosen up and use what you hear around you.
• If in doubt, go for a compliment that feels more neutral, like “sound” or “legend.”

The trick is, slang works best as a bit of craic—never mean-spirited, never forced. If you hear your Irish friends laughing as they swap stories or complimenting someone’s new pair of trainers, that’s the time to join in. Just don’t overdo it. Too much and you’ll stick out more than a Donegal jersey in Kerry.

Tips for Blending In with Locals

Trying to pick up some Irish slang for describing pretty girls and want to blend right in? Here’s what actually works on the ground in Ireland, not just in textbooks or movies.

• Go easy on the compliments. Irish people love a bit of chat, but too much gushing sounds a bit off. Saying someone’s a “ride” or calling them a “dote” works if you slip it in lightly. Overdoing it can make you sound like you’re taking the mick or, worse, trying too hard.
• Get the accent right, or just laugh it off. If you’re not from Ireland, no one expects you to sound like you are. The trick is not to force it. If you butcher a word, locals find it funny—not rude. You’ll hear “grand” used everywhere as a response, so throw that into your chat.
• Know what to wear. In bigger cities like Dublin, Galway or Cork, trainers are a go-to for both lads and girls. You’ll see Adidas, Nike, and New Balance everywhere—paired with jeans or tracksuits. Showing up in dressy heels or fancy shoes can make you stand out (and not in a good way) if you’re just out for a coffee or casual pint.
• Respect local humour. Sarcasm is king in Irish banter, so a little slagging is totally normal. If someone calls you a “legend” for saying “ride” at the right time, just run with it. Don’t get offended; it’s all part of fitting in.
• Don’t be afraid to ask. If you’re not sure whether a word is okay to use (some slang can be a bit cheeky), ask a local—bartenders, shop workers, or even your taxi driver will explain what’s sound and what’s awkward.

One last thing: context is everything. Words like “ride” or “stunner” are grand among your mates or at a gig, but maybe hold off if you’re at Sunday dinner in your friend’s granny’s house in Salthill. Use the right slang at the right time, and you’ll not just sound local—you’ll be treated like one of the gang.