If 'Eirinn go brach' means 'Ireland forever' why does Hollywood have William Wallace yell it just before the battle of Stirling?

Answer

I have been researching William Wallace for my class and this site is the best source I have found so far - it lists some of the truths such as Braveheart is believed to be his uncle not William himself. It explains some of the changes hollywood made to make to movie enjoyable and still close to accurate. While I have not researched the language aspect of it yet - this may help get you started. http://www.highlanderweb.co.uk/wallace/

Answer

I think the answer is that you are in fact mishearing what they are saying, oddly enough both Ireland and Scotland speak similar dialects of gaelic. After listening several times I am almost certain he is saying "Alba gu Br�th" which means "Scotland Forever". An understandable mistake as the sound almost the same.

Answer

Irish Gaelic or Gaeilge is similar to Scottish Gaelic alright but they wouldn't sound all too similar when spoken. There were a very large amount of Irish who fought with the Scots so perhaps this had something to do with it, although why Hollywood would include that is unsure, unless it was a sly nod to Ireland seeing as the film was shot entirely in Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

First answer by Mntnapoet. Last edit by Holidaysong. Contributor trust: 2 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 36 [recommend question]