SeanfhocailIrish proverbs & blessings, sourced

Seanfhocail › All sayings › Proverb

Is túisce deoch ná scéal

Word for wordSooner a drink than a story
What it meansOffer a drink before you ask for news.
Approximate pronunciation guide
iss TOOSH-keh dyokh naw shkayl

Written for English speakers and editorial rather than sourced. It will get you close enough to be understood, and it is not a substitute for a native speaker. Recorded audio is planned; see About.

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Provenance

Where this wording comes from. We publish nothing we cannot point at.

  1. DictionaryÓ Dónaill, Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla (1977)s.v. deochView the source entry: checked 2026-08-29
  2. BookO'Rahilly, A Miscellany of Irish Proverbs (1922)no. 357, printed "Is giorra deoch na sgéal" in pre-reform orthographyView the source entry: checked 2026-08-29

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