Tiocfaidh ár lá is an Irish language phrase (IPA: [ˈtʲʊki aːɾˠ ˈɫ̪aː]) which translates as 'Our day will come'. This refers to a day that Ireland is unified again and free from British involvement in the country. It has become the unofficial slogan of the Irish Republican movement, especially embraced by the Provisional Irish Republican Army. Chucky, an English-language pronunciation spelling of tiocfaidh, is used as slang for an Irish Republican (sometimes shortened to Chuck).[1]
Variants
A variant is Beidh ár lá linn ([bʲɛj aːɾˠ ˈɫ̪aː lʲɪnʲ], which translates as 'We shall have our day'. There is a perception that, since the peace process, Sinn Féin's leadership has had a makeover, adopting a more businesslike image as part of a move to appeal to a broader electorate. This has inspired the parody slogan "Tiocfaidh Armani".[2][3]
References
- ^ Stanage, Niall. "Chuck Schumer, Militant Republican", The New York Observer, March 8 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-05. "it became so associated with the IRA that it entered popular slang - a "Chuck" or "Chucky" was a person known to support the guerrilla group's armed struggle."
- ^ Tiocfaidh Armani Drogheda Independent, May 2 2003
- ^ Tiocfaidh Armani . . . front ranks show SF arsenal of sharp suits: Fionnan Sheahan, Irish Independent, August 1 2005
