What is an Irish Goodbye / Irish Exit? Exploring the subtle brilliance of it

An Irish Goodbye is a common saying for someone who doesn’t say Goodbye when leaving a party or gathering. Although it is not exclusive to Irish culture, many people worldwide practise the subtle move, and the term has many variations.

In this article, we will explore what an Irish Goodbye means and explore other Irish metaphors and expressions that you can work into your everyday life and language. 

What is an Irish Goodbye?

An Irish Goodbye is a term coined for someone who leaves a gathering subtly and unobtrusively. They endeavour to escape without notice and avoid those light-hearted confrontations of, “Are you going already?” or “Aw, just stay for one more”. 

What is an Irish Exit? 

An Irish Goodbye is also sometimes referred to as an Irish Exit. They mean the same thing and are used interchangeably. 

Irish Goodbye vs French Exit

Other countries also have similar phrases or expressions for the same subtle move, including Dutch Leave or a French Exit / French leave.  

Is an Irish Goodbye rude?

In Irish culture, an Irish Goodbye is not considered rude to the host or other guests. It is a socially accepted custom that demonstrates emotional intelligence and social awareness of knowing when it is okay to leave the party.

Why the Irish Goodbye is polite 

An Irish Goodbye can be seen as a form of politeness and respect to the host and other guests. When completing an Irish Exit, you are letting the party/gathering continue as is, instead of making a spectacle of your leaving. 

Why we love the Irish Goodbye

Perhaps one of the main reasons the Irish Exit is so popular in Ireland is that when we say Goodbye, it’s not a simple exchange of a few words. It’s usually prolonged leave with multiple exchanges of bye-bye, bye, see you later, etc. 

Especially in a large gathering, saying goodbye would take forever, and your friends and family will be reluctant to let you leave without asking where you’re going, why you’re leaving, why not just stay for a bit longer, etc. 

An Irish Goodbye is having the self-assurance to leave and knowing that your early departure will not upset anyone. 

How to get good at Irish Goodbyes?

If you’re planning on executing an Irish Goodbye soon, be sure to give it some forethought. The last thing you want is someone catching you in the middle of the act. 

If you’re leaving with someone else, subtly hint that you’re ready to leave. Don’t announce it surrounded by a crowd of people because it will only attract attention. If you need to get something from another room, try to do so unnoticed, and it is perhaps a good idea to leave putting your coat on until you’re out of sight. 

An Irish Goodbye needs a subtle and almost undercover approach. If you pass someone as you’re leaving and they ask where you’re off to, it’s perfectly ok to say, “I’m just heading on; see you later”. 

No one will hold it against you if you do an Irish exit, but they may try to hold onto you before you quietly escape. 

Irish Goodbye meme

Perhaps you feel guilty for leaving a party early or have received a text the following day asking where you went. If so, send one of these hilarious Irish Goodbye memes to friends and family to excuse yourself.

How do the Irish say goodbye? 

Gaelic is spoken by the Irish both North and South of the border. Although Irish is predominantly spoken in the south, in counties such as Donegal, Kerry, and Mayo, it is still expected that people will hear it in casual conversation in the north of the land. 

Gaelic for goodbye

Although we love the subtlety of the Irish Exit, we also have many rich terms for expressing leave, especially in Ireland’s native tongue of Gaelic. 

Check out these variations of how to say goodbye in Gaelic. 

Slán: A commonly used quick phrase for saying Goodbye

Slán abhaile: Literally translated as “safe home”, used to wish someone a safe journey.

Slán agat: Commonly used for someone who is staying, it translates as “have safety” when you are the one leaving. 

Slán leat: commonly used if you are saying goodbye to the person who is leaving, it means “safety with you”. 

Slán go fóill is commonly used when you expect to see someone again shortly; it translates as “safety for a while.” 

If you would like to hear more about how to pronounce Goodbye in Irish, head over to Bitesize Irish for audio clips and Gaelic definitions. 

Irishman Slang

If you want to hear more about how the Irish speak, our unique colloquialisms and comical sayings, check out these definitions of everyday Irishman slang.

Buck Ejit: Someone who is acting silly.

Bang On: Used to describe something correct

Banjaxxed: Used to describe something that is broken

Black stuff: Used to describe Guinness

Bucketing down: Used to describe the rain

Baltic: Used to describe the weather feeling cold

Blocked: used to describe a hangover

Class: something that is of fantastic quality. 

Craic: Used to describe having fun.

Chancer: Used to describe someone who has a cheeky or risky personality.

Culchie: Someone who is from the Irish countryside 

Deadly: something that is brilliant or class

Deadly serious: not to be confused with the above, someone uses this term to make a profound statement. 

Do you think I came up with the lagan in a bubble? This is a phrase used when asking someone, “Do you think I’m stupid?” 

Donkeys: Used to describe an extended period. 

Effin and Blindin: used to describe someone who is cursing or using profanity. 

Feck off: telling someone to go awat or clear off.

Free gaff: used to describe a free house.

Gawk: staring at someone or something. 

Header: used to describe someone who is acting silly.

Horsing around is used to describe someone messing around, having fun, or not completing a task properly.

Holy Joe: someone who is serious about their religion. 

Kip: going for a quick nap.

Knackered: feeling exhausted or very tired.

Lass: used to describe a girl. 

Lashing: Another term used to describe the wind. 

Leg it: to run away.

Manky: something that is dirty or disgusting. 

Not the full shilling: Someone who is not entirely aware

Shattered: feeling extremely tired or fatigued. 

Steaming: used to describe someone drunk. 

Thick: someone who is acting stupid. 

What’s the craic: Used to greet someone, asking them what’s up.

What’s the story: used to greet someone. 

Irish Goodbye Poem

There is a fantastic poem written by Kimberly Casey titled “Irish Goodbye”. 

The poem explores Kimberly’s turbulent relationship with her Uncle, who is now ill and in need of a liver transplant. At the end, she performs an Irish exit of her own, but perhaps the title is a metaphor for the strained relationship she experiences with a family member with whom she is no longer speaking. 

Click the link to read and/or listen to Irish Goodbye. 

An Irish Goodbye Film

The 2022 BAFTA and Oscar award-winning black comedy is another piece of art that embodies the metaphor of An Irish Goodbye. This short film follows the journey of two estranged brothers who reconcile after the death of their mother. It’s a bittersweet story that showcases the uniqueness of dark humour within the Irish. 

Click the link to read more about the film An Irish Goodbye, or check out this article on the Film’s filming locations.

Irish Goodbye meaning 

Now that you know the meaning of an Irish goodbye and how to execute it quickly, you may want to work it into your next social event. You may even see someone doing it themselves, but now you know to let them have at it. 
If interested, check out this blog to learn about Irish traditions and local customs!