To put a verb into the past, soften its first consonant by adding h after it (ceannaigh → cheannaigh). If the verb starts with a vowel or with f, put d' in front instead (ól → d'ól). The past negative is "níor", not "ní".
Examples
- Cheannaigh mé leabhar inné.
- I bought a book yesterday.
- D'ól mé tae ar maidin.
- I drank tea this morning.
- Níor imir mé peil ag an deireadh seachtaine.
- I did not play football at the weekend.
The mistake to avoid
Using "ní" for the past — it must be "níor" (except with irregular verbs like "ní dheachaigh mé").
Where this fits in
An tAm Atá Thart, Irish Gaelic A2: Talk about the past: yesterday, last weekend, and travel memories.