Much grá for Ring Doorbell’s new Irish voice

By Éimear Stockmann

Ring Video Doorbells in Ireland and the UK can now greet visitors with the Irish language.

It will be voiced by Galway resident Isibéal Ní Cheallaigh, who never expected to become the ‘voice of the nation’.

Isibéal’s contribution marks the first time an Irish-language option is available for Ring Doorbells — a significant step towards normalising Irish in everyday life.

Ring Video Doorbells connects the video footage live from your front door to an app on your phone. If you are out and somebody arrives on your doorstep, you can simply click a reply option and Isibéal will send them your message as Gaeilge.

As a Gaeilgeoir, this was a personal triumph for Isibéal. “It’s great to see that people now have such an interest in the language and a grá for it that I’ve always had as well,” she said. “It’s part of our culture and our identity and it would just make sense for that to be a language on our doorbells!.”

Her journey into our homes began almost by accident when she entered the nationwide contest back in July. While in Galway, she noticed the Ring Doorbell stall.

“I remembered then, seeing that Ring were doing auditions,” Isibéal recounted, “so I said: ‘Sure, why not give it a go?’”.

After recording her voice Isibéal went about her day, and it was months later when she found out she had made it onto the shortlist

A panel, led by RTÉ 2FM’s Carl Mullan, judged the competition. Weeks later Isibéal heard the news. Now, her voice delivers familiar phrases in her distinct cadence.

Isibéal’s experience as a former primary teacher, a musician and from working in the media, most recently on TG4’s Ros na Rún, allowed for a seamless transition into her new role as the ‘voice of the nation’.

Since the announcement of her win, she’s had a busy week using her voice to its fullest. “It’s really funny getting random texts being like, ‘I think I just heard you on the radio.’”

What might seem like a small feature update can mean something more for many people. A reminder that language lives not just in classrooms or policy, but in the everyday moments.

Next time you ring a doorbell you might be greeted with a friendly “Dia dhuit! Ní féidir linn an doras a oscailt faoi láthair, ach más mian leat teachtaireacht ghearr a fhágáil is féidir leat é sin a dhéanamh anois!”.