When accented at the beginning of a word, the group "ai" may get any of three sounds. An (a) sound, as in English "hat," is one. Examples:
ainm (A-nim), name; ait (at), strange; aingeal (ANG-uhl), angel.
In an initial syllable, the "ai" can receive the (a) sound, too, if the letters "d, l, n, r, s, t" precede the "ai." Examples:
daingean (DANG-uhn), fortress
laige(LAG-e), weakness
naipcín (nap-KEEN), napkin
raic (rak), quarrel
saineolas (san-oh-luhs), expert knowledge
tais (tash), damp
If the letters "b, c, f, g, m, p" precede the "ai" in an initial syllable, the "ai" has an (ah) sound, which is actually a shortened (aw*) sound. Examples:
baile (BAHL-e), home
caisleán (kahsh-LAW*N), castle
faisean (FAHSH-uhn), fashion
gaineamh (GAHN-uhv), sand
maith (mah), good
pailm (PAHL-im), palm
If the "ai" is followed by "dh," "gh," "ll," "nt" or a few other letter combinations, it can receive an (eye) sound, as in English "my." Examples:
Taidhg (teyeg), a name (genitive case of "Tadhg")
maighdean (MEYE-duhn), maiden
aimsir (EYEM-sheer), season, weather
aill (eyel), cliff
caill (keyel), lose
caint (keyent), talk
saibhir (SEYE-vir), rich, also pronounced (SEV-ir)