The Letter "f" gets two slightly different sounds in Irish, depending on whether the nearest vowel is "a, o, u" or "e, i". Each sound differs a little from the usual English sound.
For the broad sound, near an "a, o, u", start with the inside of the lower lip against the edge of the upper front teeth. Then move the lips out to an extended, rounded form as you make the sound. Try:
For the slender sound, near an "e, i", start with the lower lip in the same position, but then draw it back slightly as you make the "f" sound. Try: féin (fay*n), féach (FAY*-ahk*), fill (fil), fear (far), feirm (FER-im) caithfear (KAH-fuhr).
If an (i) sound is to follow a broad (f) sound, a "u" is placed between the "f" and "i". In pronouncing the combination, you will find that a sound resembling an English "w" comes between. For example: fuil (fwil), fuinneog (fwin-YOHG), fuinneamh (FWIN-yuhv).
Make sure you go over the pronunciation sections regularly, so that you will improve your pronunciation and develop the ability to pronounce new words before you look at the pronunciation guide. By now you should be ready to read most of the Irish in these lessons before you look at the pronunciation guide. We will gradually drop more of the pronunciation guide from the Irish words and sentences.