What Do They Call Trainers in Ireland? The Local Term Everyone Uses

In Ireland, you won’t hear anyone say "sneakers." Not in Dublin, not in Cork, not even in Galway’s hippest boutiques. If you walk into a shop asking for sneakers, you’ll get a polite nod and a slightly confused smile. The word everyone actually uses? Trainers. It’s simple, it’s universal, and it’s been that way for decades.

Ask anyone in Ireland what they wear to the gym, on a weekend hike around the Wicklow Mountains, or to catch the Luas into the city center, and they’ll say "my trainers." It’s not slang. It’s not regional. It’s the default. You’ll see it on shop signs at SuperValu, on price tags in Dunnes Stores, and in ads from Clarks or Adidas Ireland. Even the Irish-language version of the word - "tráinéirí" - is rarely used outside of classrooms. The English term stuck hard, and it never let go.

Why does Ireland use "trainers" and not "sneakers"? The answer lies in history. The term "trainers" came into common use in Britain in the early 20th century, when rubber-soled shoes were designed for athletic training. Ireland, with its deep cultural and commercial ties to the UK, adopted the term early. Unlike the U.S., where "sneakers" (from the quiet, sneaky step of rubber soles) became dominant, Ireland never fully embraced American English. Even today, Irish media, schools, and sports clubs stick to British terminology. You’ll find "trainers" in PE kits, in school uniform lists, and in the fine print of Irish online retailers like O’Neills or Sports Direct Ireland.

Try this: walk into any Boots pharmacy in Ireland and head to the footwear section. You’ll see rows of shoes labeled "Men’s Trainers," "Women’s Trainers," and "Children’s Trainers." Same in Penneys (Primark), where a pair of budget-friendly trainers costs €15 and sells out in under an hour. Even the Irish Weather Service recommends wearing "water-resistant trainers" during rainy season walks in Connemara. The term isn’t just common - it’s embedded in daily life.

There’s a subtle difference, too. In Ireland, "trainers" doesn’t just mean gym shoes. It covers everything from lightweight running shoes to chunky streetwear styles. A pair of Nike Air Force 1s? Trainers. Reebok Classics? Trainers. Even those retro Adidas Stan Smiths you see on students in Trinity College? Trainers. There’s no separate word for "running shoes," "casual shoes," or "athletic footwear." It’s all trainers. That’s why you’ll never see a sign in an Irish shoe store that says "Sneaker Sale." You’ll see "Trainers: Up to 50% Off."

For expats, this can be a small but persistent culture shock. I once heard an American tourist in Galway ask a shop assistant, "Do you have any sneakers?" The assistant replied, "We have trainers. That’s what we call them here." The tourist looked confused. The assistant didn’t blink. It wasn’t rudeness - it was just how things are. In Ireland, language isn’t just about words. It’s about belonging.

Even the big Irish brands know this. AIB, the Irish bank, ran a viral ad in 2023 showing a father and daughter running through Phoenix Park in Dublin. The voiceover said: "No matter the weather, your trainers are always ready." The campaign didn’t mention sneakers once. It didn’t need to. Everyone in Ireland knew exactly what they meant.

And if you’re shopping online from outside Ireland? Be careful. If you search for "sneakers" on Irish websites like Easons or Boots.ie, you’ll get almost nothing. Search "trainers," and you’ll see hundreds of options - from Puma to Clarks, from budget to premium. Even the Irish version of Amazon.co.uk lists products under "Trainers" with a note: "In Ireland, this is what we call them."

Don’t let the weather fool you. Ireland’s rain doesn’t stop people from wearing trainers. In fact, it’s the reason they’re so popular. Brands like Birkenstock Ireland and Geox offer waterproof-lined trainers that dry fast and grip wet cobbles. You’ll see them on farmers in Tipperary, on nurses leaving shifts at St. James’s Hospital, and on teens heading to gigs at Whelan’s in Dublin. They’re practical, affordable, and tough enough for Dublin’s potholes and Galway’s coastal winds.

So if you’re visiting Ireland and you need new shoes, don’t ask for sneakers. Walk into any shop - whether it’s a local cobbler in Limerick or a chain in Belfast - and say "trainers." You’ll be understood immediately. And if you want to fit in? Wear them. Because in Ireland, trainers aren’t just footwear. They’re part of the landscape.

Want to know what’s trending? Right now, chunky dad trainers from New Balance and Nike are huge. So are minimalist canvas styles from Superga and Vans. But no matter the style - if it’s got a rubber sole and you’re wearing it for comfort, it’s a trainer.