Irish Footwear Term Checker
This tool helps you understand the correct terminology for athletic footwear in Ireland versus American English. Enter a term below to see what it's called in Ireland.
In Ireland, the word sneakers doesn’t quite land the way it does in the U.S. Walk into a shop in Dublin’s Grafton Street, Cork’s Mahon Point, or Galway’s Eyre Square, and you’ll hear one word far more often: trainers. It’s not a regional quirk-it’s the default. Ask a teenager in Limerick what they’re wearing to the match, and they’ll say, ‘My new trainers.’ Ask a retiree in Sligo about their weekend walk, and they’ll mention their ‘old trainers.’ The term sneakers feels foreign, almost American, like saying ‘elevator’ instead of ‘lift’ or ‘cookie’ instead of ‘biscuit.’
Why ‘Trainers’ Stuck in Ireland
The word trainers came into common use in the UK and Ireland in the mid-20th century, tied to the rise of athletic training and school sports. Unlike in the U.S., where ‘sneakers’ originated from the quiet rubber soles that let wearers ‘sneak’ around, Ireland’s version was rooted in function: these were shoes you trained in. Schools, sports clubs, and local gyms pushed the term hard. By the 1980s, when brands like Adidas, Puma, and later Nike flooded the Irish market, they didn’t push ‘sneakers’-they pushed ‘trainers.’ Even today, ads on RTÉ or in the Irish Independent use ‘trainers.’
Look at the shelves in SuperValu or Dunnes Stores. The signage doesn’t say ‘Sneakers.’ It says ‘Training Shoes’ or ‘Trainers.’ Same with online retailers like Zalando Ireland or ASOS Ireland. Search for ‘sneakers’ on their sites, and you’ll get redirected to the trainers section. The language isn’t just tradition-it’s branding.
Who Still Says ‘Sneakers’?
It’s not that no one says ‘sneakers’-it’s that the people who do are usually outsiders. American expats, students returning from the U.S., or younger Irish people heavily influenced by TikTok and Netflix will sometimes slip into ‘sneakers.’ You’ll hear it in Dublin’s Temple Bar on a Friday night, or in university dorms in Maynooth or Trinity College. But even then, it’s often used playfully or ironically. ‘I got these new sneakers from New York,’ someone might say, grinning, knowing full well their mates will reply, ‘You mean trainers?’
There’s also a small but growing niche among fashion-forward teens and young adults who use ‘sneakers’ to sound more global. They’ll wear limited-edition Nike Air Jordans or New Balance 550s and call them sneakers when posting on Instagram. But in real life? At the bus stop, at the pub, or at the local GAA pitch, it’s still ‘trainers.’
Brands and Retailers in Ireland Know the Difference
Local sports retailers like Decathlon Ireland, Intersport, and JD Sports in Belfast or Dundalk don’t just use ‘trainers’-they design their entire product language around it. Their website filters are labeled ‘Trainers,’ not ‘Sneakers.’ Their in-store staff are trained to say, ‘Looking for new trainers?’
Even Irish-made brands like Claddagh Shoes or St. John’s (a Cork-based footwear line) use ‘trainers’ in their product descriptions. They know their customers. They know that if you put ‘sneakers’ on a label in Waterford or Letterkenny, people will pause, confused. It’s not about correctness-it’s about connection.
And then there’s the GAA. If you walk into any club shop in County Kerry or County Tyrone, you’ll find kids buying ‘trainers’ for hurling or football practice. The coaches don’t say ‘sneakers.’ They say ‘trainers.’ The parents don’t ask for ‘sneakers’ when they’re lining up at the canteen. They say, ‘I need a pair of trainers for Liam’s match on Saturday.’
Weather, Terrain, and the Practical Side of Footwear
Ireland’s climate doesn’t just shape what people wear-it shapes how they talk about it. Rain is constant. Mud is inevitable. Pavements are uneven. You need grip. You need durability. You need something that won’t fall apart after a week in a Dublin downpour. That’s why ‘trainers’ here aren’t just fashion-they’re survival gear.
Brands like Merrell, Salomon, and Keen sell well here not because they’re trendy, but because they’re waterproof and sturdy. And no one calls them sneakers. They’re ‘walking trainers,’ ‘weatherproof trainers,’ or just ‘my trainers.’
Even in cities, where people might wear sleek white trainers for style, the word doesn’t change. A woman in Ballsbridge might wear a pair of Adidas Stan Smiths to a coffee shop, but she’ll still say, ‘These trainers are comfy.’ She won’t say ‘sneakers.’ Not because she doesn’t know the word-but because it doesn’t feel right.
Generational Shifts and Cultural Identity
Older generations-those who grew up in the 70s and 80s-barely use ‘sneakers’ at all. For them, it’s a foreign import. But younger people? They’re more fluid. A 16-year-old in Cork might say ‘sneakers’ when texting their friend in London, but switch to ‘trainers’ when talking to their grandad. That’s code-switching. It’s not confusion-it’s awareness.
What’s interesting is that even when Irish youth adopt American slang, they often keep the local term for footwear. It’s one of the few words that resisted the Americanization wave. Unlike ‘truck’ instead of ‘lorry’ or ‘apartment’ instead of ‘flat,’ ‘trainers’ stuck. Why? Because it’s tied to local identity. It’s part of the way we talk about sport, school, and Sunday walks in the Phoenix Park or along the Dingle Peninsula.
What This Means for Visitors and New Residents
If you’re visiting Ireland from the U.S., Canada, or Australia, don’t be surprised if people look at you funny when you say ‘sneakers.’ You’re not wrong-you’re just not local. It’s like saying ‘biscuit’ when you mean ‘cookie.’ It’s not a mistake; it’s a cultural mismatch.
For new residents, the best advice? Start saying ‘trainers.’ It’s not about pretending to be Irish-it’s about fitting in. Use ‘trainers’ when shopping, asking for directions, or chatting with neighbors. You’ll be understood immediately. And you’ll avoid the polite but slightly puzzled looks.
And if you’re buying footwear in Ireland? Don’t search for ‘sneakers.’ Search for ‘trainers.’ You’ll find better deals, better selection, and better service. The staff will know exactly what you mean.
Is ‘Sneakers’ Dying in Ireland?
No. But it’s not growing, either. It’s stuck in a small corner-mostly online, mostly influenced by global trends. The word ‘sneakers’ might appear in fashion blogs or in ads for U.S. brands targeting Irish consumers, but it doesn’t own the market. It doesn’t own the language.
‘Trainers’ is the word that’s lived here for decades. It’s weathered rain, wind, and even the rise of athleisure. It’s the word that fits the shoes, the terrain, and the culture. And until Ireland starts seeing its own version of ‘sneaker culture’-with sneakerhead drops, limited editions, and resale markets like in New York or Tokyo-it’ll stay that way.
So yes, people still say ‘trainers’ in Ireland. And they probably always will. Not because they’re resistant to change-but because the word just works better here.
Do people in Ireland say sneakers or trainers?
In Ireland, people overwhelmingly say ‘trainers.’ While ‘sneakers’ is understood-especially among younger people exposed to American media-it’s not the default term. You’ll hear ‘trainers’ in shops, schools, pubs, and on the street. The word is tied to local culture, weather needs, and retail branding.
Is ‘sneakers’ considered American in Ireland?
Yes, ‘sneakers’ is widely seen as an American term in Ireland. It’s not offensive, but it sounds out of place, like saying ‘elevator’ instead of ‘lift.’ Most Irish people recognize it from TV and movies, but they don’t use it in daily conversation. Even expats from the U.S. often switch to ‘trainers’ after a few months.
Where can I buy trainers in Ireland?
You can buy trainers at major retailers like JD Sports, Decathlon Ireland, Dunnes Stores, and Intersport across cities like Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick. Online, Zalando Ireland and ASOS Ireland offer wide selections with local delivery. For Irish-made options, check out St. John’s (Cork) or Claddagh Shoes.
Are trainers the same as running shoes in Ireland?
In Ireland, ‘trainers’ is a broad term that covers running shoes, walking shoes, gym shoes, and casual sneakers. There’s no strict separation. A pair of Nike Air Max might be called ‘trainers’ whether you’re jogging, walking the dog, or going to the pub. If you need something specific, like a trail shoe, you might say ‘walking trainers’ or ‘trail trainers.’
Why don’t Irish brands use the word ‘sneakers’?
Irish brands avoid ‘sneakers’ because it doesn’t connect with their customers. They know that ‘trainers’ is the word that sells. Marketing research shows Irish consumers respond better to ‘trainers’ in ads and product labels. Using ‘sneakers’ could confuse shoppers or make a brand seem out of touch with local language habits.
