Hi all,

So I'm going to a group conversation class and this will be the first time I've spoken any Irish at all.

I'd be grateful if anyone could give some tips or advice on words and phrases to use in a group or individual setting. Specifically phrases that would help me speak a bit about myself would be ideal.

Cheers!

The materials put out by Liam Ó Manlaoi are great for that. Check them out at this site:
http://www.independent.ie/life/family/learning/learn-irish-with-liam-o-maonlai-26460087.html

If you look down the home page you'll find that the first lesson is all about introducing yourself, and there are mp3's for each lesson which you can download and put on your computer or phone to use in practicing, and also written transcripts so that you can follow along. Later lessons branch out onto all sorts of topics that can come up in conversation, and gradually advance into more complicated expressions.

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I'm not a native (or entirely fluent) speaker, so be sure to wait for confirmations/corrections, especially for tattoos.

the material you've suggested looks promising

Thank you!

If you look, there's a learning resources section on this forum and what Caoimhín has given you above is in fact mentioned there. In the Teach Yourself series, there's the 'Teach Yourself Irish Conversation' pack created by Máire Mhic Ruairí and Dónall Mac Ruairí, which includes three CDs and a 48-page booklet which you might find useful. Abair leat!