The Internet is ablaze with excitement over the thick Irish accent of French rugby star and former France under 20s captain, Daniel Brennan. A TikTok video featuring an interview with Brennan, posted by renowned Welsh content creator Andrew Forde, has rapidly gone viral, amassing over 630,000 views in just four days and securing its spot as the highest-trending rugby video on TikTok.
In the interview, Brennan is questioned about his reaction to defeating New Zealand and advancing to the World Championship final in 2018. His exuberant response, delivered in a distinctly thick Irish accent, was, “I can’t say…absolutely bloody delighted!”
It turns out that Brennan’s Irish roots can be traced back to his father, former Ireland and Leinster second-row Trevor Brennan, who relocated to France in 2002 to play for Toulouse in the Top 14. Despite his strong Irish dialect, Daniel ended up representing Les Bleus.
The internet’s response was a mix of confusion and amusement, with some viewers speculating that he was the Irish captain donning a swapped shirt. Others playfully described his accent as “Parisian, with just a small hint of Dublin (barely detectable).”
Brennan went on to lead France to victory in the 2018 under-20s World Championships, triumphing 33-25 against England. The tournament featured future stars of international rugby, including Romain Ntamack, Louis Carbonel, and Marcus Smith.
This captivating story continues to be a topic of discussion weeks later, with people eagerly anticipating Brennan’s next moves!
How to Identify an Irish Accent:
The Irish accent stands out as one of the most distinctive and melodious accents in the English language. Recognizing an Irish accent involves paying attention to unique vowel pronunciation, certain softened or dropped consonants, intonation patterns, and the use of slang terms.
To identify an Irish accent, focus on how vowels are pronounced. Irish speakers often pronounce vowels differently compared to other English speakers. For instance, the vowel in “boat” is articulated distinctively from its pronunciation in British English.
Listen for consonants that are frequently softened or omitted, such as the tendency to drop the letter ‘T’ at the end of words (e.g., “lettin”). Additionally, observe the pronunciation of certain words as if they consist of two syllables, like “have” pronounced as “hav-ah.” Slang terms, including “grand” (meaning “good”), “feck” (used for “throw” or “mess up”), and “yoke” (substitute for “thing”), are also indicative of an Irish accent.
Beyond pronunciation, the Irish accent is marked by a unique intonation pattern. The pitch of words can be higher and more expressive compared to other dialects. While the distinction between Irish and other accents may not always be clear-cut, specific patterns can aid in identifying an Irish accent.
Ultimately, the Irish accent is often associated with a certain charm or charisma. Speakers may infuse humor or friendly banter into their communication. With practice and familiarity with common slang terms, detecting an Irish accent becomes an achievable skill.
Best of luck!
And then there’s that Scottish Accent.
Viator