{"id":1958,"date":"2022-04-12T14:19:43","date_gmt":"2022-04-12T14:19:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/?p=1958"},"modified":"2023-02-06T14:30:38","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T14:30:38","slug":"best-irish-names-for-baby-boys-and-girls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/parenting\/best-irish-names-for-baby-boys-and-girls","title":{"rendered":"Best Irish Names for Baby Boys and Girls"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you perhaps have a little Irish in you and want to connect your baby to their roots? Or perhaps you like the way a particular Irish name sounds, and pairs perfectly with your surname?\u00a0Whatever the reason for wanting to give your baby an Irish name, one thing you can be sure of is it\u2019ll have a rich history and a powerful meaning behind it!
\nSo, let\u2019s take a look at 60 of the best Irish baby names<\/a> for girls and boys.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Top 10 Irish Baby Boy Names<\/h2>\n<\/div>
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\"Irish<\/figure>
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Cian<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Pronounced either \u2018Keen\u2019 or \u2018Kee-un\u2019, it means \u2018ancient\u2019. A figure in Irish mythology, Cian could transform himself into a pig.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Cillian<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Pronounced \u2018Kill-ian\u2019, it means \u2018little church\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Darragh<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Used predominantly as a boys name but can be gender-neutral, Darragh (pronounced Da-ra) means \u2018oak\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Eamon<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Pronounced \u2018Ey-mun\u2019, it means \u2018wealthy protector\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Fiachra<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Pronounced \u2018Fee-uh-cra\u2019, it means \u2018raven\u2019 or \u2018hunter king\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Finn<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Meaning \u2018fair\u2019 or \u2018white\u2019. It invokes a call back to Finn McCool, the mythical giant said to live in Northern Ireland.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Iarla<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Pronounced \u2018Earl-a\u2019, it unsurprisingly means \u2018earl\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Niall<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Pronounced \u2018Nile\u2019, like the famous river in Egypt. Niall means \u2018champion\u2019 or \u2018passion\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Ruairi<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Can be pronounced \u2018Roo-ar-ee\u2019 or \u2018Rory\u2019, and has multiple alternate spellings. Ruairi means \u2018great king\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Rowan<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Also a Scottish name, Rowan is a nature-centric name, and can also be gender-neutral. It means \u2018red haired\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\"smiling<\/figure>
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Top 10 Irish Baby Girl Names<\/h2>\n<\/div>
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Aisling<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Pronounced \u2018Ash-lin\u2019, it means \u2018imagination\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Brianna<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Means \u2018noble\u2019 or \u2018high\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Fionnuala<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Pronounced \u2018fin-oola\u2019, it means \u2018fair shoulder\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Imogen<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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In Gaelic, Imogen means \u2018maiden\u2019 and in Latin origin, it means \u2018innocent\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Kayleigh<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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An alternate spelling is also \u2018Kayley\u2019. Which means \u2018slim\u2019 or \u2018beautiful figure\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Kiara<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Pronounced \u2018Kee-ar-uh\u2019 (unlike the similar \u2018Ciara\u2019 which is pronounced \u2018Keer-a\u2019) it means \u2018light\u2019 or \u2018clear\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Maeve<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Means \u2018the intoxicating one\u2019 or \u2018the one who rules\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Nessa<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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In Greek, Nessa means \u2018pure\u2019 or \u2018holy\u2019, but can also mean \u2018rough\u2019 or \u2018not gentle\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Roisin<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Pronounced \u2018Ro-sheen\u2019, it means \u2018rose\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Shannon<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Meaning \u2018old river\u2019 or \u2018mystical river\u2019, Shannon is the Anglicised version of \u2018Sionainn\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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10 Unusual Irish Baby Boy Names<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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\"baby<\/figure>
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Aengus<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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The Irish alternative to \u2018Angus\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Ailill<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Means \u2018elf\u2019 in Old Irish.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Caelan<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Pronounced \u2018Kay-len\u2019, it means \u2018victorious\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Conlan<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Conlan means \u2018hero\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Eion<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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An alternative to \u2018John\u2019 and pronounced \u2018Ee-on\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Lorcan<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Lorcan means \u2018fierce\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Mannix<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Mannix means \u2018little monk\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Oisin<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Oisin is pronounced \u2018O-sheen\u2019 and means \u2018small deer\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Phelan<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Phelan means \u2018like a wolf\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Tor<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Tor is the Irish version of \u2018Thor\u2019, aka the God of Thunder<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\"baby<\/figure>
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10 Unusual Irish Baby Girl Names:<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Aibreann<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Aribreann means \u2018April\u2019 in Irish.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Calla<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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A name of Greek origin meaning \u2018beauty\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Cliodhna<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Pronounced \u2018Klee-na\u2019 or \u2018Klee-oh-na\u2019 and means \u2018shapely\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Elva<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Elva means \u2018bright\u2019 or \u2018noble\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Ita<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Ita is pronounced \u2018Ee-ta\u2019, it means \u2018thirst\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Iseult<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Iseult is pronounced \u2018Is-ult\u2019 and means \u2018iron ruler\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Mab<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Mab is an Irish name which means \u2018joy\u2019 or \u2018funny\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Oona<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Oona is a name of Gaelic origin that means \u2018lamb\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Sorcha<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Sorcha is pronounced \u2018Sor-ka\u2019, it means \u2018bright\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Tierney<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Tierney is an Irish name that means \u2018lord\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\"baby<\/figure>
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Popular Irish Baby Names By Year<\/h2>\n<\/div>
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Despite the above names steeped in Irish history and meaning, the most popular names used in Ireland<\/a> are actually rather different. For the past ten years, \u2018Jack\u2019 and \u2018Emily\u2019 have by far been the most popular names given to babies in Ireland. Two other Irish baby names have overtaken them on just one occasion: \u2018James\u2019 and \u2018Grace\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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2021:<\/strong> Jack and Emily<\/p>\n

2020:<\/strong> Jack and Grace<\/p>\n

2019:<\/strong> Jack and Emily<\/p>\n

2018:<\/strong> Jack and Emily<\/p>\n

2017:<\/strong> Jack and Emily<\/p>\n

2016:<\/strong> James and Emily<\/p>\n

2015:<\/strong> Jack and Emily<\/p>\n

2014:<\/strong> Jack and Emily<\/p>\n

2013:<\/strong> Jack and Emily<\/p>\n

2012:<\/strong> Jack and Emily<\/p>\n

2011:<\/strong> Jack and Emily<\/p>\n<\/div>

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See what we mean? This means there are more Jacks and Emilys in Ireland than kids with any other name! So, if you\u2019re looking for inspiration for a unique baby name, why not consider some of the other more uncommon and unusual names in our list? Or if not, Jack and Emily are still solid names!<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Meaning of Popular Irish Baby Names<\/h2>\n<\/div>

They may be commonly used, but the most popular boys and girls names in Ireland<\/a> still have meaning behind them:<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Irish Baby Boy Names:<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Jack<\/strong>\u00a0– Means \u2018God is gracious\u2019.<\/p>\n

James<\/strong>\u00a0– Means \u2018supplanter\u2019.<\/p>\n

Noah<\/strong>\u00a0– Means \u2018rest\u2019.<\/p>\n

Daniel<\/strong>\u00a0– Means \u2018God is my judge\u2019.<\/p>\n

Conor\u00a0<\/strong>– Means \u2018lover of hounds\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Irish Baby Girl Names:<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Grace<\/strong>\u00a0– Means \u2018God\u2019s grace\u2019.<\/p>\n

Fiadh<\/strong>\u00a0– Means \u2018deer\u2019.<\/p>\n

Emily<\/strong>\u00a0– Means \u2018rival\u2019.<\/p>\n

Sophie<\/strong>\u00a0– Means \u2018wisdom\u2019.<\/p>\n

Ava<\/strong>\u00a0– Means \u2018guarantee\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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What To Consider When Choosing An Irish Name…<\/h2>\n<\/div>
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If choosing an Irish name is important to you, there are a few points to consider. For example, if the history and meaning is something you want to consider when picking a baby name out, then we’ve got a list below of Irish origin baby names you could use!<\/p>\n

Many believe if you give your baby a name associated with strength they\u2019ll grow up to be strong…so maybe that’s something to consider! Or if given a name associated with beauty, they\u2019ll be beautiful!
\nIt\u2019s also worth noting that many people outside of Ireland may struggle with pronunciation, as many Irish names are Gaelic in origin. However, it doesn\u2019t take long to educate people on the correct pronunciation!<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\"newborn<\/figure>
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How To Pronounce Irish Names…<\/h2>\n<\/div>
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So far we\u2019ve given you a little helping hand to understand the pronunciation of some Irish origin baby names, but below are a few trickier names that people can struggle with:<\/p>\n

Aoife<\/strong>\u00a0– Pronounced \u2018Ee-fa\u2019.<\/p>\n

Caoimhe<\/strong>\u00a0– Pronounced \u2018Kwee-va\u2019.<\/p>\n

Eoghan<\/strong>\u00a0– Pronounced \u2018Owen\u2019.<\/p>\n

Dearbhla<\/strong>\u00a0– Pronounced \u2018Derv-la\u2019.<\/p>\n

Grainne<\/strong>\u00a0– Pronounced \u2018Graw-nya\u2019<\/p>\n

Niamh<\/strong>\u00a0– Pronounced \u2018Neev\u2019.<\/p>\n

P\u00e1draig<\/strong>\u00a0– Pronounced \u2018Paw-drig\u2019.<\/p>\n

Saoirse<\/strong>\u00a0– Pronounced \u2018Sir-sha\u2019.<\/p>\n

Sinead<\/strong>\u00a0– Pronounced \u2018Shin-ade\u2019.<\/p>\n

Tadgh\u00a0<\/strong>– Pronounced \u2018Tig\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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We hope you’ve found some of the best Irish names for baby boys and girls! However, if you’re still looking for more baby names for your bundle of joy, then you can check out our other baby name blogs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Is parenthood feeling a bit daunting? Head to our main<\/span> Parenting hub page<\/span><\/a> for more baby related content and other useful tips & hacks<\/a>! <\/span><\/p>\n

Need your<\/span>\u00a0Pregnancy<\/span><\/a> queries answered too? Whether you are looking for cute baby boy names<\/a>, searching for the best bedtime stories for kids<\/a>, planning your child’s financial future with premium bonds for children<\/a>, or you want to know what baby-led weaning<\/a> is.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We have so many interesting, insightful & trending topics in our latest articles that will help you through your journey into parenthood.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Do you perhaps have a little Irish in you and want to connect your baby to their roots? Or perhaps you like the way a particular Irish name sounds, and pairs perfectly with your surname?\u00a0Whatever the reason for wanting to give your baby an Irish name, one thing you can be sure of is it\u2019ll [...]","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":2074,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-baby-names","category-parenting"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1958"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1958\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}